What is Body Butter?
In Short:
- Body butter is a rich, ultra-moisturizing cream made from natural butters and oils, perfect for deep hydration.
- It’s thicker and more nourishing than lotion or hand cream, creating a protective barrier for your skin.
- Midnight Bloom Body Butter is a Waterbody bestseller thanks to its dreamy texture, soothing floral scent, and botanical benefits from our calendula infusion.
Should I be embarrassed to admit I didn't really know what body butter was when we took over Waterbody? Probably. But I asked — and now I get it. Maybe you're wondering too.
What is body butter?
Body butter is a rich, nourishing moisturizer designed to give your skin a deep dose of hydration and lasting protection. Unlike lotions and creams, body butter contains no water — just a concentrated blend of natural butters (like shea, cocoa, mango, or calendula-infused butter) and plant oils. The result is a dense, creamy texture that melts into the skin on contact, leaving it soft, supple, and shielded from dryness.
What is body butter good for?
Body butter works best when your skin needs more than a quick refresh. It's especially helpful for:
- Dry, rough, or cracked skin — particularly elbows, knees, and heels
- Skin that takes a beating from cold, wind, or outdoor work (hello, Alaskan winters — and summers)
- Overnight moisture — apply before bed and wake up to noticeably softer skin
- Post-shower sealing — locking in the moisture your skin just absorbed
- Sensitive skin that reacts to synthetic fragrances or additives
Because it's water-free, body butter doesn't evaporate off the skin the way lotion does. That's what makes it so effective for lasting hydration.
Body butter vs. lotion vs. hand cream: what's the difference?
All three moisturize, but they're built differently for different needs.
Lotion is water-based and lightweight — great for everyday, all-over use when you want something that absorbs fast. Hand cream sits in the middle: thicker than lotion, formulated for the delicate skin on your hands, but still lighter than body butter. Body butter is the most concentrated of the three. It takes a little longer to absorb, but the payoff is deeper, longer-lasting hydration and a protective layer that stays with you.
If you live somewhere with harsh weather, do a lot of outdoor work, or just have persistently dry skin, body butter is worth the extra moment it takes to apply.
How to use body butter
Body butter is best applied to warm, slightly damp skin — right after a shower is ideal, because your pores are open and the butter absorbs more easily. Take a small amount (a little goes a long way), warm it between your palms, and massage it into your skin in circular motions. Focus on dry spots first — shins, elbows, knees — then spread the rest across your arms and legs.
For very dry skin or an overnight treatment, apply a slightly thicker layer before bed, put on comfortable clothes, and let it work while you sleep.
How we make body butter
At Waterbody, we make our body butters in small batches by hand. Our Midnight Bloom Body Butter is built on a rich base of shea and cocoa butters, infused with calendula blooms for their antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. The scent is a gentle floral blend inspired by Alaska's midnight sun — the kind of smell that makes you feel like you're standing in a meadow at 11pm in July, when the sky is still gold.
Get the Midnight Bloom Body Butter -->
Frequently asked questions
Is body butter a moisturizer?
Yes — body butter is one of the most effective moisturizers available because it's water-free and oil-rich. It doesn't just add moisture; it seals it in.
Can you use body butter on your face?
Body butter is generally too heavy for facial skin and can clog pores for most people. For face moisture, a lighter facial oil (like our Wildflower Facial Oil) is a better fit.
What does body butter do for your skin?
It hydrates, softens, and protects. The oils and butters form a barrier that slows water loss from the skin, which is especially important in dry or cold climates.
How often should you use body butter?
Once a day — ideally right after showering — is enough for most people. In very dry conditions or for very dry skin, twice daily works well.
Is body butter the same as body lotion?
No. Body lotion is water-based and lighter. Body butter is oil-based, thicker, and more deeply moisturizing. They serve different purposes and skin types.
