Body Oil vs. Lotion vs. Body Butter: Which Is Best for Your Skin?

It's common knowledge that moisturizing your body after a shower (and whenever your skin is feeling dry) is key to happy, hydrated skin all over, but matters get more complicated when it comes to whether to use body oil, lotion, or body butter. As someone with keratosis pilaris, I prefer body oil (and, in some cases, hair oil) for how it's faded the redness and texture of this condition for me. Many of my Byrdie teammates also prefer oil, while most of my friends strongly prefer the creamy texture of lotion, which proves this is a divisive issue that requires a bit more insight if you're not sure which is right for you. 


Ahead, we asked a dermatologist and a skincare founder to compare and contrast body oil vs. lotion vs. body butter, so you can figure out your best path to healthy, supple skin.

Body Oil vs. Lotion vs. Body Butter 
Body oil, lotion, and body butter are all meant to moisturize the skin, but where they differ is the way they boost hydration and water retention:

• Oils help re-introduce lost moisture to the skin (think: post-cleansing or exfoliating). "Oils sink right into the skin," says Noto. "It's like food for your body."
• Lotions are thicker, part water-based, and come in various forms to treat different skincare concerns—for example, those who are eczema-prone would turn to an itch relief lotion, while someone with textured skin might reach for a smoothing lotion that targets bumps. Because of the water and thicker formula, lotion can help with both water absorption and sealing moisture into the skin.
• Body butters usually include ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter, and feature a thick texture while also having an oil-based formula. This combination is like the best of both worlds for those with dry skin (which lacks oil as opposed to dehydrated skin, which lacks water), as it simultaneously provides a deeply nourishing formula and seals it in to last.

Benefits of Body Oil 

• Regulates sebum production: Oils are touted for their absorbent properties because many vegetable-based oils—avocado, jojoba, and almond, for example—mimic the natural lipids found in our skin. This allows for regulation and repair of your skin's moisture barrier and oil production, which helps your complexion to get more in balance.1
• Improves skin barrier function: Research shows that when our skin absorbs body oils, the top layers treat said oils as their own—resulting in a reparative, moisturized effect.2
• Usually skin-friendly, natural ingredients: Most oil products on the market tend to be blends of natural oils that work well with skin, though label-reading never hurts.

Benefits of Lotion 

• Moisturizes dry skin: Nazarian says that lotion has the edge over oil if we're talking about moisturizing abilities. "Lotions are a mix of oil and water and typically work better for dry skin," she says. "Because they're partly water-based, they're often better at penetrating the skin, and can deliver ingredients that improve the ability of the skin to maintain moisture."
• Often contains ingredients with long-term benefits: "Look for lotions containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides—both enhance skin's water-retaining abilities over time," Nazarian says.
• Can prolong the life of your self-tan: Self-tanning devotees know that hydrated skin means your tan will have a longer lifespan. Just make sure you don't lather on the lotion until you've let the tan develop (aka, after you shower off the tan).

Benefits of Body Butter 

• Hydrates parched skin: If you have extremely dry skin (or cold winter air is wreaking havoc on your skin), body butters may be more your speed. While body lotions are typically a mix of water and oils, body butters are a mix of rich butters and oils that hydrate parched skin and promote a smooth surface (think: shea butter combined with coconut or jojoba oil).
• Offers long-lasting hydration: Because of their key components of butter and oil, body butters are heavier and thicker in consistency when compared to oils and lotions, and they keep your skin hydrated long after you apply. They also tend to have more of an oily finish, so if your skin is chapped or cracked, body butters are better equipped to repair it.

How to Apply Body Oil, Lotion, and Body Butter 
While each kind of body moisturizing product has its own properties, they all help you to seal in moisture, so it's best to apply them after showering. "Immediately upon exiting the shower, gently pat skin dry with a towel, and then apply your moisturizer, mixing with droplets of water still left on the skin," Nazarian says. "This will help lock in the maximum amount of hydration possible."

Dispense your product of choice and apply it all over slightly damp skin. Remember that a little goes a long way—start with a small amount, then add more as needed to be sure your skin ends up hydrated and not greasy. With all of these—but especially with body butter—pay special attention to the driest areas of your skin, such as your joints and any distinct dry patches. When you aren't fresh out of the shower but need a moisture boost, use lotion or body butter on targeted areas.
If you're looking for an extra dose of hydration for parched skin, you can layer multiple products together.

​Keep in mind that oil and water don't mix, so you'll want to follow a similar order to skincare on your face—use body oil to seal in a water-based lotion, or if you applied oil first, follow with body butter since it's also oil-based and can sink in. Certain gentle lotions (look for formulas that are fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin) may also be useful post-shaving to prevent the freshly exposed skin from getting dry as well as to calm any razor bumps or irritation.

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