The health of your skin is important for its overall function. Therefore, the maintenance of your skin through a good skincare routine is a key factor in skin barrier function. Often, people invest in body skincare products to target a specific skin problem ranging from dryness to hyperpigmentation. While searching for a product, you should pay attention to a few things to ensure you get the results you desire. The same principle applies when looking for body butter.
The search for the best product for your skin can be overwhelming when there are so many different choices out there. This article is to help you narrow down your choices based on preference as well as your skin’s demands. By the end of this article, you’ll learn about 8 things to consider before buying body butter.
Body Butter Vs. Lotion
These two options are both essential parts of body care. However, some differences may steer you towards one or the other. There is a stark variation in the ingredients found in these two products, which contributes to a difference in texture and finish. While body butters may have a higher concentration of oils and emollients, lotions are often formulated with lighter ingredients, such as glycerin and water. These ingredients tend to make lotions more lightweight and butters thicker.
How To Use Body Butter in Your Routine
You apply body butter just like you would other moisturizers. After taking your shower, pat dry your skin making sure to leave your skin slightly damp. Follow up by massaging the body butter cream into your skin. Butters are thicker to provide a more luxurious pampering feeling for your post-shower care, so you don’t need to be heavy-handed. You can always reapply if you prefer a dewy finish after moisturizing.
Best Body Butter Characteristics
Body butters have numerous benefits, not limited to skin-softening and protection. These moisturizers are made with nourishing ingredients that soothe and promote healthy-looking skin. Because of the emollient-rich formulation, those with excessively dry skin may prefer body butter over lotion. Even if you don’t necessarily experience dryness, body butters can be extremely useful during the dry winter months. Shop smarter by being aware of these qualities, so you can make the best choice for you.
Body Butter Types
The first thing you should know is the type of butter you prefer. There are different variations of body butter, each with specific skin-nourishing properties. A few of the most common butters you may come across are shea butter, cocoa butter, kokum butter, and mango butter. For instance, shea butter is an emollient rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. This butter improves skin texture by protecting the skin barrier and soothes the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. You will discover products with different variations of butters, sometimes a combination of a few. The choice will depend on what you’re looking to achieve in your body care routine.
Moisturizing benefits
Moisture is one of the reasons why many people incorporate body butters into their body skincare routine. The effects of moisture on the skin are to lock in skin-loving ingredients.
If you’re looking for body butters for dry skin, you’ll find them within seconds because butters are known for being highly moisturizing. Those with dry skin should consider body butters because they are emollients, which help lock in moisture. Even if you don’t have dry skin concerns, you should still use a moisturizer, as it helps control oil production.
Hydrating abilities
Hydration is different from moisturizing, although, they are both essential for skin barrier function. Hydrators introduce water to the skin, which is important for skin elasticity. Every skin type whether dry or oily can experience dehydration. This is your skin telling you that it needs some water.
If you lack hydration in your body skincare routine, it is best to find body butters that contain hydrators and humectants. Scan for common hydrators, such as water, and aloe vera leaf juice, or humectants, such as honey in the ingredient list. Keep in mind that you can have a product that is both hydrating as well as moisturizing.
Finish look on the skin
Some people have reservations when it comes to butters because they’re afraid they will be left feeling greasy. The heavy consistency can mean a higher absorption time. Body butters may take longer to absorb because of the blend of fats and oils, but some butters are lighter than others. For example, kokum butter has a faster absorption time compared to shea butter. Additionally, you can speed up the absorption time by applying the product to damp skin.
Different forms and textures
The market for body butters is vast and you have different choices. You’ll find them in their raw solid form or whipped. Whipped body butter has a different consistency and can be easily spread on the skin. When using body butters in their raw form, you may need to go a step further before applying them to the skin. Since it is solid, you will need to rub it into your hands for a few seconds before massaging it into your skin.
Comedogenic vs non-comedogenic
A body butter moisturizer with pore-clogging ingredients will be known as comedogenic. Even natural products can be comedogenic; therefore, it is good to know the variation of butter you’re purchasing. A body butter known for being comedogenic is cocoa butter. Shea butter, on the other hand, is a non-comedogenic butter. It is important to note that ingredient concentration also affects comedogenicity. Although comedogenic ingredients may increase the risk of breakouts, they won’t necessarily cause it in everyone because each skin is different.
Scent
Body butters in their raw forms have their unique scents. While some may be lighter, others are loud enough to replace your fragrance. The name of the butter may match the smell, but not in all cases. For instance, mango butter does not emit the mango fruit scent. The scent of mango butter is light to nonexistent, so it might be suitable for those that do not enjoy fragrance in their body care products. Cocoa butter, however, has a scent that matches its name. It has a sweet chocolate scent that many enjoy in their routine. Whether you enjoy scents or none, you’ll find a body butter moisturizer that suits your needs.
Price range
Another thing to consider before purchasing your body butter is the price. Fortunately for you, there is a wide range of prices depending on what you’re searching for. You also have the option of making your body butter, which can save you money long-term.
Summary
Body butter benefits the skin in various ways from moisturizing to skin protection. There are different types of butters on the market, but how do you know which one to choose? Knowing the different characteristics of body butters makes it easier when you shop. This article will help you make the most out of your purchase by knowing the important facts about body butters before shopping.
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