Frequently Asked Questions
How does moisture loss affect the skin barrier?
“The function of the skin is to be a protective barrier of the underlying tissues, protecting the internal organs from infections and irritation,” Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, explains. “Desiccation and stress disruption of the protective barrier can lead to an increase in transepidermal water loss, and therefore conditions that are associated with skin dryness and irritation.” In other words, the more you skip out on moisturizing your face and body, the more prone you’ll be to flaking, itching, and other irritation of the skin barrier.
Who should use body butter?
Most dermatologists agree that very dry skin would benefit best from body butter, which Dr. Hartman describes as “a waterless, thicker version of a body lotion.” However, especially during the drier, winter months, anyone could benefit from a heavier formula. In general, it’s great for anyone to use a body butter, but especially if your body wash is more drying, which might be the case if you’re using one formulated with exfoliating ingredients like AHAs, retinol, and salicylic acid.
What ingredients should I look for in body butter?
Look out for familiar, hydrating powerhouses, Dr. Hartman notes, “such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and oils like coconut and avocado, as well as vitamin E, which softens skin and protects the skin’s moisture barrier.” (Spoiler: You’ll notice that most of the picks listed below will boast shea butter, a rich emollient that heals cracked skin, thanks to a composition that includes vitamins A, E, and F.) Dr. Hartman also adds that it’s best to avoid any ingredients that will dry out the skin, like alcohol or witch hazel.
How do I use body butter in my skin-care routine?
Since there’s very little to no water in body butters, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Julie E. Russak, MD, says the best time to use one is when you’ve just stepped out of the shower—when your skin is damp. “Pat the skin dry, and while the skin is still moist, apply body butter to all the areas that are rough and dry, including feet, hands, ankles, and elbows,” Dr. Russak says. “This locks in the moisture obtained from the shower, decreases trans-epidermal water loss, and helps repair the barrier.”
Is body butter good for aging skin?
Body butter can benefit your skin at any age, but it’s especially helpful for the changes that arise as you get older. “As we age, the skin naturally produces less oil, becomes thinner, and loses its ability to retain moisture,” Dr. Luftman says. “This often results in dryness, roughness, and a crepey appearance.”
An intensive moisturizer that both deeply penetrates the skin and protects its outer barrier (read: just the sort of formula you’ll find in a body butter) can address those concerns. “While body butters cannot reverse the aging process, they can, however, improve the appearance of dry, aging skin and temporarily minimize the look of fine lines caused by dehydration,” Dr. Luftman explains.
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama
- Julie E. Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best body butters, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
