Difference Between Lotion, Cream & Body Butter
The multitude of beauty products available on the market can be confusing. We get you. While everyone knows moisturizing is an essential skincare step, the industry offers three different products for it—body lotion, body cream and body butter. So, what is the difference between body lotion, body cream and body butter, and how do you decide on which? Well, the answer mainly depends on your skin type and climate conditions.
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Body Lotion, Body Cream and Body Butter
Body lotion, cream and butter are skin care products used for the same purpose—moisturizing. The skin is the largest living organ in the human body and it is one of the two first lines of defense against external threats. All the three forms of moisturizers maintain your skin’s hydration levels, keeping it healthy, soft and supple. Check out our summary of the major differences between body lotion, cream and butter. Some additional benefits of body lotions, creams and butters are:
1. Reduce Dryness & Blemishes
Body moisturizers keep dry skin at bay and can help reduce blemishes, according to a 2022 article published by the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Skin experts suggest it is best to apply moisturizer on damp skin right after a shower. It gives your skin a healthy shine and locks in moisture.
Tip: Keep your showers short (5 –10 minutes) and always bathe in cold water to protect the moisture level of your skin. A long bath may strip away the oil from your skin’s surface, making it dry and dull. Read through this article published by Harvard Medical School for great insight into the largest living organ in the human body, your skin.
2. Slow Down Signs of Aging
With age, everyone will inevitably face signs of aging like wrinkles, rough patches, fine lines, brown spots and dryness. It is impossible stop aging altogether. But, daily use of lotions, creams or butters can slow it down.
In a 2010 randomized, double–blind trial on the skin of Indian women, nutrients Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate), Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and B5 (panthenol), present in a daily facial test lotion produced significantly reduced appearance of hyperpigmentation, improved skin tone evenness, appeared to lighten the skin, and other positive effects on skin texture.
3. Fighting Acne
Sometimes your sebaceous (oil) glands overproduce sebum due to changes in diet or hormones. It clogs the pores of your skin, which leads to acne breakouts. But if you keep your skin properly hydrated, your oil glands will produce only the necessary amount of oil. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that plays a significant role in skin health and helps to reduce acne. You can opt for a moisturizer enriched with Vitamin C.
4. Soothe Sensitive Skin
Most people with sensitive skin experience dry, itchy patches. Sometimes accompanied by redness and irritation. Sensitive skin requires special care. To stop itch and moisturize sensitive skin, use a moisturizer that offers soothing relief for your irritation. Ingredients like aloe vera, Shea butter, vitamin E and colloidal oatmeal are some soothing additions to body moisturizers.
Key Factors That Determine Skin’s Moisture Level
1. Age
The primary function of the skin is to act as a barrier against threats from the environment, something that is reflected in its unique structure. The skin is composed of two layers: the epidermal outer layer is highly cellular and provides the barrier function, the inner dermal layer ensures strength and elasticity, and gives nutritional support to the epidermis.
Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which supports important and well–known functions, stimulating collagen synthesis and assisting in antioxidant protection against UV light–induced damage. This knowledge is often used as a rationale for the addition of vitamin C to topical applications, but such treatment isn’t nearly as efficacious as optimizing dietary vitamin C intake.
Skin moisture depends on the hydration level in the outermost layer of your skin (epidermis). It keeps it naturally youthful. A healthy skin barrier (biome) contains an adequate amount of moisture by preventing water loss. According to a 1984 comparative study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the moisture level among old people was significantly lower than the younger people. Therefore, it is clear that with age your moisture level decreases.
2. Genetics
Your genetics are responsible for many of your individual characteristics. Just like genes influence your looks, hair texture or eye color, in some cases, it can affect overall skin health. Some people have genetically low moisture levels in their skin. People with naturally dry skin often experience irritation, itch and eczema.
3. Environmental Factors
Your environment plays an important role in your skin retaining moisture. Spending time indoors with AC or indoor heating, or living in extremely cold regions will dry out your skin. And considering the state of the climate currently, environmental factors are playing a much greater role in human’s general health, including the health of your skin and your hair. Moisturizing your skin with body butter, lotion, or cream will help restore any lost moisture.
4. Nutrition
Regardless of how great a moisturizer you are using, unhealthy eating habits will cancel the benefits of the product. To maintain healthy moisture levels in your skin, drink plenty of water (32–64 oz. per day) and eat a balanced diet enriched with plant proteins, grains for amino acids, vitamins and essential minerals.
Major Differences Between Body Lotion, Cream & Butter
| Body Lotion | Body Cream | Body Butter |
|---|---|---|
| Body lotion is typically formulated with lightweight hydrators, like vegetable glycerin and water. | Body cream is also made of water and oil. But the ratio of oil used in a body cream is higher than a lotion. | Body butter contains Shea, cocoa, mango or palm oil based butters. It is generally thick and can include essential oils and other oils, such as coconut, babassu and avocado. It contains a minimal amount of water. |
| It is lighter than body cream and body butter. | Body creams are thicker than body lotion, but lighter than a body butter. | Body butter is the richest of all three moisturizers. |
| It moisturizes oily skin perfectly. But if you have dry skin, it may not moisturize your skin as much as a body butter or cream. | You can include body cream in your skincare regimen if you are seeking complete nourishment for your dry skin. | Body butters’ effects lasts longer than any lotion or cream. They moisturize much more deeply and are best for treating dry skin, rough patches and itch. |
| Body lotion has both emollients (oils) and humectants (water) as the moisturizing ingredients. It also contains vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which keep your skin hydrated and protect your natural skin barrier. | Body creams contain emollients. But they are neither as light as lotions nor as rich or hydrating enough as the emollients used in body butter. | The ingredients are delivered to the skin’s deeper layers by the carrier oils used in them. Body butters are filled with fats and minerals, derived from natural raw materials like Shea, cocoa, palm, mango, etc. |
| Lotions are typically applied on arms, neck and legs. Since they absorb quickly, they can also be used on–the–go. Always apply body lotion after a shower for the best results. | For the cream to be absorbed into your skin takes about half an hour. | It usually takes longer to be absorbed into your skin. It is best to leave it overnight to get the most benefit. |
Which Is Best Based on Your Overall Skin Health
Hands and Body
Experiencing dry skin on the hands is quite common in the general population. This condition is influenced by daily habits, occupational duties and increased contact with chemicals, such as detergents and other household cleaning products. Hands are also exposed to more frequent hand washing, which can strip away skin’s natural oils.
It commonly corresponds to irritation caused by climate and other environmental conditions. Other diseases including allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis and dermatomycosis can also be responsible for skin dryness.
Thicker formulas, like creams or butters, can help counteract this by giving the skin more hydration. For example, hand creams that contain Shea butter and vitamin E help to moisturize and nourish the skin. However, the chronic use of topical corticosteroids can lead to dependency and to progressive cutaneous atrophy.
Face
For the face, a non–comedogenic preparation is key. Non–comedogenic means pores won’t get clogged, which is very important for folks who are acne prone. For example, sunscreen infused lotions can be non–comedogenic, oil–free, and have broad spectrum SPF 30.
In general, lotions work better for the summers and butters and creams work best for the winters. Lotions work best on the face for all skin types. The exception is the lips, where butters are a great option. Their viscosity lends itself to that area. For example lip butters made with coconut oil and beeswax to help with hydration. What works best for you depends on your skin type and needs.
Which Is Best Based on Your Skin Needs
Dry Skin
For dry skin, thicker formulas are best. Depending on the level of dryness, different products may do the trick. Many people with very dry skin or who suffer from eczema will use body butters, especially at night so their skin can regenerate over their 8 hours of sleep. Look for products that are formulated with 100 percent raw African Shea butter. Or that contain organic Shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond extract or safflower seed oil.
For extra hydration of your hands and feet, you can DIY an overnight treatment by applying a thick layer of a salve under a pair of cotton gloves or socks. It’ll help the moisturizer soak in (and prevent it from rubbing off on your sheets) for softer, smoother skin by morning. If you’re interested in making your own creams or body butters, check out our posts on making your own Homemade Rose Body Cream, Homemade Whipped Rose Body Butter and Babchi Seed Oil Face Cream.
Oily Skin
Lotion is ideal for oily skin. Body butter contains more oil, while lotion has the most water content. A good tip is to look for the term “non–greasy” on the label. Try for an option that’s palm oil–free, vegan, non–greasy, non–comedogenic and gentle on skin. For the face, go with something that is non–greasy and non–comedogenic.
Normal Skin
For close to normal skin, go for lightweight hydration with a lotion that features aloe vera or oatmeal, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It is still best to moisturize your body every day. For drier skin, use a cream. And for very dry skin, use a body butter. Look for products infused with shea and cocoa butters, as well as aloe.
Combination Skin
When it comes to combo skin go with lotion. If it seems to not be working on the dry skin areas, you may need to use two different products: a lotion for the T–zone (forehead & nose) and a cream for the dry areas. You can find product sets that come with a lotion and a gel cream. You can also pick similar products to target different areas. Whatever your skin type, light exfoliation is key to help the moisturizer penetrate the skin. If you’re interested in making your own creams or facial masks, check out our posts on making your own homemade Rosehip and Lavender Facial Mask and homemade Rose Hyaluronic Gel Facial Mask.
Which Is Best Based for Skin Conditions
Eczema
According to the National Eczema Association (NEA), ointments are the preferred moisturizer for eczema, because they have the highest oil content. Creams come in second, while lotions come in last, in third place. Lotions are generally not thick enough or contain too much water to be of benefit to treat eczema.
Furthermore, a 2017 research study showed that most moisturizers show beneficial effects in reducing flares and the severity of eczema.
Psoriasis
Moisturizers are believed to improve the effectiveness of treatments for psoriasis. A 2018 research study sought to analyze the active ingredients and properties of moisturizers that claimed to be suitable for psoriasis. Active ingredients, like vitamin E, seemed to decrease severity.
A 2019 research study showed that individualized solutions based on shared decision–making between health professionals and patients are important for successful psoriasis treatment. Go for cream or ointment for psoriasis on the body. When it comes to psoriasis on the scalp, go for a lotion. Similarly to eczema, you can get creams and ointments to target psoriasis.
Acne
For acne, a lotion is best. For acne prone skin, creams would be too thick and likely occlude your pores, leading to further acne breakouts. There are plenty of body and face lotions designed for acne–prone skin. Some moisturizers contain metals and botanical extracts for their anti–inflammatory properties, such as: green tea, aloe vera, witch hazel, allantoin (as in comfrey) and licochalcone (from licorice root).
Precautions
The only time someone shouldn’t use lotions, creams, or butters is on broken or damaged skin. In those cases, ointments, which are coconut oil or beeswax–based, are best until the skin is healed. Lotions, creams, and butters all contain preservatives that can cause allergic and irritant reactions on broken or inflamed skin. On the other hand, ointments don’t.
Most over the counter products are made to address generalized skin issues, and contain a wide variety of petrochemicals, dyes, perfumes, preservatives, parabens, phthalates, sulfates or the highly problematic palm oil. An alternative to commercial products is to DIY your own skincare products. Check out our homemade creams and body butters, as well as facial masks.
Things to Know
One factor to consider is the potential for mold growth in DIY skin and hair care products. That can happen with any water–based recipe if it’s not handled properly. Before making lotion, you’ll need to sanitize all your tools in boiling distilled water. That includes spoons, bottles, and bowls—anything that will come in contact with the ingredients. Then, wipe the tools dry with a clean towel.
You’ll need to add a preservative at 0.5–1.5% of the total weight of the lotion. There are synthetic preservatives commercially available, but I prefer to use organic ones. Sea salt, Vitamin E, sugar (glucose), or essential oils that contain the phytochemical compounds linalool and eugenol are good options. They help prevent mold and bacteria and extend the shelf life of the lotion. Learn more in our cosmetic preservatives guide post.
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Sources:
Lotion vs. Body Butter
https://www.brambleberry.com/ingredient-information/oils-and-butters/art0031-lotion-vs-body-butter.html
Body Lotion, Body Cream & Body Butter: Differences + What Should You Use?
https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/body-butter-vs-body-cream-vs-body-lotion
Reviewed by Expert Prutha B.Nawale (M.tech, Cosmetic Technology)
Updated on November 10, 2021 | Written By Sofia Bhattacharya
Body Cream vs. Body Lotion: What’s the Difference?
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/body-cream-vs-body-lotion
Written By Marnie Vinall, Edited By Crystal Hoshaw, Medically Reviewed By Bukky Aremu, APRN, Copy Edited By Jen Anderson, By Marnie Vinall on April 29, 2021
What’s The Difference Between Body Butter and Body Lotion?
https://www.kiehls.com/skincare-advice/benefits-of-body-butter-vs-body-lotion.html