What's the Difference Between Lotion and Body Butter?

Good question!

Lotion and Body Butter ARE different,but what IS the difference?

The difference is pretty simple. Both moisturizers contain oil ( unless it's an oil-free lotion which likely contains lots of ingredients including glycerin) ,but lotion also contains water. Body Butter ONLY has oils in it and no water, which makes it a very rich skin emollient.

When I make lotion, I use an emulsifier, like beeswax. When it is melted, it easily helps the oils and the water in the lotion to mix and hold together. The end result is a wonderful soft lotion! The water can help the lotion smooth on, the oils moisturize the skin and the beeswax holds all that wonderful moisture in!



A body butter uses no water and it's main ingredients are a hard oil  like cocoa butter, coconut oil or Shea butter  and a liquid oil which could be anything from olive oil, to argon oil, almond oil ...the list is extensive!
The two are basically melted together, along with a few other ingredients and whipped together as they cool. What you have to remember with a body butter is that you are getting pure oil on your skin and it will feel more oily than a lotion. I especially like a butter in the winter after a nice hot shower and I also LOVE to have it rubbed on my feet!

I use essential oils in my lotions and body butters to add scent and therapeutic value. The other upside to using essential oils is that they help retard bacteria so that I don't HAVE to use a chemical anti-bacterial agent. THAT is part of what my business is all about.

A pure lotion made without chemicals has a limited shelf life and must be treated like a food. Just like you wouldn't keep vitamins in the bathroom because of the moisture, or store your olive oil in a hot car, a pure lotion needs to be treated the same way. Eventually, because it has water in it, which can be a carrier for germs if it is exposed to them, the lotion will deteriorate. A pure lotion has a shelf life of about 3 months, although mine kept on my dresser for nearly six months and smells as fresh as the day I made it. I suspect it is the citrus essential oils known for their preservative attributes.

Two Scents Body Lotion! My favorite is still Orange Grapefruit!

A body butter on the other hand, because it has no water in it which can carry bacteria, will keep for a much longer period of time. It still should not be over heated or kept in a moist area, but because it is simply oils, it does not need a chemical preservative even if I did use them...which I don't. :)
 

I made a wonderful Lemon Souffle' Body Butter!

So there you have it - the difference between lotion and body butter!

Thanks for reading my Two Scents!

Theresa