Although the skin on the body doesn’t require quite as much attention as the thinner skin on the face, it still greatly benefits from a boost of moisture, which is where body lotions and body butters come in. Both of these products are touted as being great ways to keep the body moisturized, so how do you choose between them?

Well, when it comes to the body butter vs lotion debate, Vivo Per Lei is here to help. Read on as we talk you through the main differences between these two products, along with everything that you need to know before deciding which to buy.

Body Butter vs Lotion: What’s the Difference?

Although body butters and lotions both help to hydrate and moisturize the skin, there is one key difference that sets these two products apart…

It all comes down to texture. 

Body butters are usually much thicker than lotions. They’re packed with natural fats, giving them a richer and creamier consistency, to the point where they feel just like butter! 

On the other hand, lotions go through more processing, resulting in a higher water content. This means that they are thinner and more liquid in texture. 

The Pros and Cons of a Body Butter

Body butters usually contain natural plants butters and oils, which are brimming with fatty acids. These are fantastic for moisturizing dry and rough skin. Dryness is caused by a lack of natural oils, but the oils in a body butter will help your skin to feel replenished. It will also most likely keep your skin moisturized for longer than a body lotion would.

Body butters generally feel more decadent and opulent when applied too. Due to their richer consistency, you’ll need to spend a bit more time spreading the product onto your skin, making this the perfect opportunity to give your skin a circulation-boosting massage.

However, while the thickness of a body butter may be the biggest draw for some, it can also be its downfall. Those with oily skin often find body butters to be too heavy and greasy, resulting in body acne. Of course, this all depends on the body butter formula that you pick – there are plenty that are formulated with non-comedogenic ingredients, meaning that they won’t trigger breakouts.

The Pros and Cons of a Body Lotion

The lighter consistency of a body lotion means that it’s much faster and easier to apply. It quickly spreads over the skin and absorbs in a matter of seconds. This usually makes it the preferred choice by people who are short on time.

Body lotions also usually feel lighter on the skin. They tend to be more breathable and don’t leave behind the same greasy feel as a thick layer of body butter would. As a result, they’re less likely to cause body acne.

Body Butter vs Lotion: Which Should You Choose?

Now that you know the main difference between a body butter vs lotion, along with the key pros and cons of each, you probably already have some idea as to which would be best for your skin. However, if you’re still on the fence, here are the factors that you need to take into consideration when making your decision:

Your Skin Type

Your skin type should always dictate the products that you use. When it comes to body butter vs lotion, those with dry skin usually prefer the rich and long-lasting moisture provided by a body butter. On the other hand, those with oily skin are often better suited to a lightweight body lotion that won’t leave them feeling weighed down.

With that said, the ingredients used to create a body butter or lotion will also influence how it works and feels on your skin. For example, some body lotions can still be extremely moisturizing, meaning that those with dry skin would benefit from them too.

The Time of Year

Did you know that your skin’s needs change depending on the season?

During the summer months, your skin produces more sebum, meaning that it’s better capable of keeping itself moisturized. In the winter, sebum production declines, which is why dryness is so prevalent in the colder months. As a result, you may find that your skin does best with a body lotion in the summer and a body butter in the winter. 

The Time of Day

Before deciding between a body butter vs lotion, think about when you’ll be using the product.

If you usually follow your body care routine in the morning, then you may find that a body lotion is more convenient. Not only will it be faster to apply, but it’ll also absorb into your skin quickly, allowing you to continue on with the rest of your busy morning schedule.

On the other hand, if you save your body care routine for the evenings, then a body butter may be more beneficial. The skin requires extra moisture at night and a body butter would be ideal for providing this.

Can You Use Both?

It’s very unlikely that you would benefit from using both a body butter and a body lotion at the same time, unless you have severely dry skin.

However, as mentioned above, body butters and lotions each have specific advantages when used at certain times of the day, as well as at different times of the year. 

So, there’s no reason why you have to decide between a body butter vs lotion. Treat yourself to one of each and use your body lotion in the morning and your body butter at night. Alternatively, keep your body butter for colder days and apply your body lotion in warmer weather. This way, you get the best of both worlds!

Body Butters & Lotions From Vivo Per Lei

Whether you’ve decided to go with a body butter, a body lotion, or one of each, you’re probably now wondering where to begin in your search for the perfect formulas. Luckily, you don’t need to go very far, as Vivo Per Lei has exactly what you need!

The Citrus Glow Body Butter

If a beautifully rich yet refreshing body butter is what you’re after, check out Vivo Per Lei’s Citrus Glow Body Butter. 

Zingy and citrusy, this formula boasts a luxuriously buttery texture. However, it’s not overloaded with oils, meaning that it doesn’t feel greasy on the skin. Unlike many of the other body butters out there, this one sinks in quickly to leave the skin feeling smooth and supple.

Not only does this body butter contain a number of hydrating ingredients, but we’ve also infused it with vitamin C. This way, in addition to moisturizing your skin, this product will also leave your body looking brighter and more toned.

The Glowing Rose Body Lotion

Packaged with a pump dispenser to make application a breeze, the Vivo Per Lei Glowing Rose Body Lotion is a silky-smooth moisturizer that’s inspired by roses. 

Not only does it exude a subtle rose fragrance, but it’s also packed with Rosa Rugosa flower extract. This rose variety has long since been revered for its potential medicinal properties. However, its high antioxidant and vitamin content makes it beneficial for the skin too. Research shows that it’s capable of reducing the feeling of inflammation and irritation, while also reversing the appearance of skin aging.

What About Body Creams?

There’s one other type of body moisturizer that we haven’t mentioned yet; body creams. These usually sit somewhere in between body butter and lotions. They’re lighter than a body butter yet thicker than a body lotion.

The advantage of this is that they’re a great all-rounder product for moisturizing the body. If you still can’t decide between a body butter vs lotion, then a body cream may be the way to go.

One of our favorites at Vivo Per Lei is the Hemp + Spirulina Nourishing Body Creme, which can be found in our Hemp + Spirulina Fresh Body Set. 

As you can tell from its name, there are two main botanicals that feature in this cream; spirulina and hemp. Spirulina is rich in vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids, making it great for soothing the feeling of inflammation and encouraging a more radiant and youthful appearance. Meanwhile, hemp seed oil deeply moisturizes the skin while also providing its own range of nutrients.

Also in this body care set is our Hemp + Spirulina Moisturizing Shower Gel and a loofah. Start with the shower gel and finish up with the cream for skin that looks fresh and luminous.

What Other Products Should You Be Using to Care for the Skin on Your Body?

A body moisturizer is an absolute must in any body care routine. However, no matter what your choice may be when it comes to the body butter vs lotion decision, there is one other essential product that you should have in your routine; an exfoliant.

Body exfoliants come in many different forms. However, one classic go-to is a body scrub, just like our Citrus Glow Exfoliating Scrub. 

This is a salt scrub, which offers up numerous skin benefits. Not only will it slough off dead skin cells to leave your skin looking bright and radiant, but it’ll also clear out debris from your pores. As a result, your skin will be able to better absorb your body butter or lotion, allowing that product to work to its full potential.

Salt is also full of a wide range of different minerals. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium…the list goes on! All of these minerals have complexion-boosting properties, such as magnesium leaving the skin feeling protected against free radicals, or calcium keeping your skin moisturized. When it comes to a good base for a body scrub, salt is definitely the way to go, no matter your skin type!

Summary

As you can see, there’s a fair bit that needs to be taken into consideration when deciding between a body butter vs lotion. From your skin type to the time of year, there are several factors that can influence which product would work best for your skin. However, as mentioned, there’s no need to restrict yourself to just one – treat yourself to both and then pick and choose which to use each day, depending on your skin’s needs.

Click here to browse more bestselling skincare products from Vivo Per Lei.