Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Don’t get us wrong: A good body lotion can work wonders for dry skin. But the best body butters can make your body-care routine feel more luxurious and satisfying, while giving your skin the moisture it needs. These ultra-rich products are made with little to no water and are instead oil-based, with ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, squalane , and ceramides playing prominent roles. And they’re not exactly lightweight. Instead, body butters come in handy during harsh and cold weather, when your skin begs for heavy-duty hydration, and on areas of your skin that tend to stay stubbornly dry and rough, like your heels, knees, and elbows.
Thanks to their thicker consistency and higher concentrations of occlusive ingredients, body butters tend to be more effective at preventing water loss from the skin, says Debra Luftman , MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills and Calabasas, California. So, while they melt seamlessly into your skin, they also smooth the surface and keep moisture securely locked in. Itchiness? Dryness? Not on our watch. Ahead, you’ll find the picks editors and derms recommend for some serious TLC.
How does moisture loss affect the skin barrier? Who should use body butter? What ingredients should I look for in body butter? How do I use body butter in my skin-care routine? Is body butter good for aging skin? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers Best Overall: OSEA Undaria Algae Body Butter Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Osea
Allure creative producer Sydney Malone applying the Undaria Algae Body Butter
Why we love it: No matter where you land on the skin-type spectrum, OSEA’s Undaria Algae Body Butter has you covered. If you’re noticing signs of aging, the combo of undaria seaweed extract and caffeine helps visibly firm, smooth, and refine texture over time. Dry skin? Shea butter and the brand’s Skin-Identical Moisturizing Complex (a carbohydrate-derived humectant that pulls water into the skin) provide deep, lasting hydration that leaves your skin ridiculously soft. Is your skin sensitive or easily irritated? Oat-derived ceramides and aloe calm redness and replenish the moisture barrier. Even oilier skin types can benefit: This butter sinks in quickly without a greasy feel, helping balance hydration so your skin won’t overcompensate by producing excess sebum.
Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone
“This body butter smells absolutely divine—it's got a mild enough scent as to not overwhelm, but rather to make you feel luxurious and moisturized. I appreciate how thick this cream is because with just one application, I feel like I wouldn't need to use body lotion again until tomorrow! Perfect for dry or winter weather, especially for us dry skin girlies.” —Sydney Malone, creative producer
Key ingredients: undaria seaweed, shea butter, ceramides Fragrance-free: no Best Scents: Saltair Multi-Lipid Body Butter Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Saltair
Former Allure content director Kara McGrath applying the Saltair Santal Bloom Multi-Lipid Body Butter
Why we love it: Once you apply Saltair’s Santal Bloom Multi-Lipid Body Butter, you’ll be double-checking your receipt. A 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, this rich, whipped body butter has a deeply nourishing formula and warm, summery fragrance, yet clocks in under $25.…