Just like you might reach for a different weight of moisturizer for your face depending on how your skin feels on a given day, it’s helpful to have a few bodycare formulas on hand for different needs.

The biggest difference between body butter and body lotion is texture: Body butter is richer and more concentrated, providing deep hydration, while body lotion has a higher water content for lightweight, fast-absorbing moisture.

That’s why we like to have both in our body-care arsenal—each serves a purpose depending on what your skin needs most.

Body Butter Benefits & Uses

As the word “butter” suggests, body butter formulas are rich and thick. The best ones achieve that richness while also melting instantly into skin, with a finish that feels deeply hydrated yet almost weightless. We’re biased, of course, but that’s exactly what we accomplished with our Multi-Lipid Body Butter formula.

A hallmark of body butters are beneficial fatty acids, which really effectively lock in moisture. We chose an ideal ratio of lipids—phospholipids, fatty acids, and phytosterols—to restore and replenish the skin’s barrier. Sea buckthorn oil nourishes dry skin. An added ceramide complex helps maintain moisture levels.

The texture and richness of it does invite more ceremony than a lotion might: We like to keep ours by the nightstand as part of a relaxing—and skin-nourishing—wind-down routine. Pro tip: If your skin could really use the extra moisture, start by massaging body oil first, and then layer the body butter on top to seal in the oils. You’ll wake up with ultrasoft skin.

Body Lotion Benefits & Uses

Compared to body butter, body lotions are, of course, thinner in consistency. As a result, they absorb into the skin more quickly and have a less intense effect.

Exactly how hydrating a body lotion is depends on the formula: Our nourishing body lotion uses a polysaccharide-rich multi-algae complex to restore skin hydration. The result is skin that feels soft (and looks radiant). It’s exactly the finish we want right before we get dressed. And often, in the summer—or when we’re in more humid climates—we find it’s all we need.

Is Body Butter or Body Lotion Better for You?

Both body butter and body lotion offer hydration, but they serve different purposes. Body butter is rich and deeply nourishing, ideal for locking in moisture and soothing dry or rough skin. Body lotion, with its lightweight and fast-absorbing formula, is great for everyday hydration, leaving skin soft and comfortable. Choosing between body butter and body lotion comes down to your skin’s needs—whether you want deep replenishment or a quick, refreshing boost of moisture.