What's The Difference Between Body Butter and Body Lotion?
JUNE 2026
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of keeping your skin moisturised. Proper hydration helps support the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which is the key to maintaining healthy-looking, comfortable skin.
But external stressors, such as chilly temps, indoor heating, and even hot water, can strip the skin of essential moisture, leading to dryness. That’s where moisturisers, like body butter and body lotion, come in.
While they both help moisturise and soften skin, there are some key differences between body butter and body lotion which can help you determine which suits your needs best.
In this article, we’ll explain the differences between body butter and body lotion, plus we’ll provide recommendations for the best body butter or lotion to use depending on your skin type and concerns. Keep reading for our in-depth guide to body butters, lotions, and more.
Body Butter Vs Lotion: Key Takeaways
- Body butter and body lotion are moisturising products used to rehydrate your skin.
- Body butter is a thicker, more intensely moisturising product. Butters, like Kiehl’s Creme De Corps Whipped Body Butter, have richer formulas, perfect for the long term hydration of very dry skin.
- Body lotions are thinner, more quickly absorbing creams. Lotions, like Kiehl’s Creme de Corps, are best used to quickly moisturise moderately dry areas of skin.
- Both Kiehl’s body butter and lotion can be used on sensitive skin, but we tend to recommend using body lotion as it is thinner and faster absorbing.
- For dry skin on your face, make sure to use a targeted facial moisturiser, like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream.
What is Body Butter?
Body butters are rich and thick moisturisers that can help replenish skin’s natural oils and protect the skin from stressors that would otherwise exacerbate dryness or irritation.
Body butters, like Kiehl’s Creme De Corps Whipped Body Butter, also have a luxurious feel, so they’re an excellent option if you’re looking for an indulgent self-care moment. That doesn’t mean you can’t use body butter every day, though, when it comes to skincare, it’s your personal preferences that matter most.
When to use Body Butter
Body butter’s benefits mainly centre on rehydrating and nourishing dry skin. Kiehl’s Creme De Corps Whipped Body Butter, for example, softens skin with a rich 24-hour hydration using shea butter and honey. You can use body butter as often as you like, but may find it works best when used:
- On very dry skin.
- On flaky or rough patches of skin.
- As part of your nightly skincare routine.
- During the coldest times of the year.
- After shaving.
What is Body Lotion?
While body butters are usually on the richer side, body lotions, like Kiehl’s Creme de Corps, tend to be light and fast-absorbing. They’re therefore a great choice for when you need to hydrate your skin but don’t want to leave it feeling heavy or weighed down.
Another one of body lotion’s benefits is that it absorbs quickly so they can also be used on the go to hydrate your skin anytime it needs a little extra moisture.
When to use Body Lotion
If body butter is perfect for when your skin needs a little extra TLC, body lotion is a perfect daily moisturiser. You can use body lotion at any time, but you may find it works best when used:
- As a part of your morning skincare routine.
- On moderately dry skin.
- In warm weather.
| Body Butter | Body Lotion | |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Feel | Rich, thick, heavy-textured moisturiser | Light and thin moisturiser |
| Application | Slower-absorbing, forms a protective layer | Fast-absorbing, layerable |
| Benefits |
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| When To Use |
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Should I Use Body Butter or Lotion on…
Now we’ve gone over what they both are, let’s dive into when to use body butter or lotion in specific circumstances.
Dry and Dehydrated Skin
If you’ve noticed excessively dry or even dehydrated skin, we recommend reaching for a slightly richer treatment, such as Kiehl’s Creme De Corps Whipped Body Butter. One of Kiehl’s body butter benefits is the intense and long-lasting hydration it provides, making it ideal for use on dry and dehydrated skin.
After showering, massage Kiehl’s body butter into areas of dry skin and allow it to absorb overnight.
If your dry skin is on your hands, then you may be better served using a dedicated hand cream, like Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, as opposed to body butter or lotion.
Sensitive Skin
If you’re experiencing dry and rough patches of skin, but also have sensitive skin, then don’t worry there’s options for you. You can use Kiehl's body butter or lotion on sensitive skin, but we tend to recommend using Creme de Corps lotion as it is more lightweight and may be slightly gentler on skin and absorbs without leaving a heavy residue.
Dry Skin on the Face
There are countless body butter and body lotion benefits, but treating dry skin on the face isn't one of them. If you have dry or rough skin on the face, try Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream, designed to rehydrate sensitive and stressed skin with instant, long-lasting hydration.
For dry skin around the eyes, try our Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, a nourishing solution designed to reduce visible signs of ageing and fatigue around the eyes.
Stay Hydrated With Kiehl’s Body Butters or Lotions
If you’re struggling with dry and rough skin on your body, then Kiehl’s body butters or lotions are a great way to help. Designed to enhance hydration and nourish areas of dry skin, whether you opt for the rich and intense body butter benefits, or a quick and light body lotion, Kiehl’s hydrating body creams are here to help.
Discover Kiehl’s Full Range of Body Creams
Body Butter Vs Lotion: FAQs
IS BODY BUTTER BETTER THAN LOTION?
WHAT IS BODY LOTION USED FOR?
CAN I USE BODY BUTTER INSTEAD OF LOTION ON DRY SKIN?
SHOULD I USE BODY BUTTER OR LOTION?
