Body Oils vs. Lotions vs. Butters: What’s Best for Your Skin This Winter?

Comparing best lotion for dry skin options in winter

Winter weather can leave your skin feeling tight, flaky, or downright parched. Choosing the right moisturizer can make all the difference—but with options like body oils, lotions, and butters, it’s easy to wonder: what’s actually best for your skin? Let’s break it down so you can hydrate smarter, not harder.

🧴 Body Lotions: Your Everyday Hydration Hero

Best for: Normal to dry skin, daily use, fast absorption

Body lotions are typically a water-based emulsion blended with nourishing oils and soothing ingredients. They're ideal for maintaining soft, hydrated skin without feeling greasy. If you're looking for the best lotion for dry skin that’s lightweight yet effective, this is your go-to.

Top pick:Vanilla & Tuberose Body Lotion – Aloe-based with almond, grapeseed, and sunflower oils for balanced daily moisture.

🧈 Body Butters: Intense Moisture for Extremely Dry Skin

Best for: Extremely dry skin, cold weather, nighttime routines

Body butters are rich, thick, and oil-based, made with ingredients like shea and mango butter. They deliver deep moisture and create a protective layer to lock it in. The best lotion for extremely dry skin might not be a lotion at all—it might be a butter.

Top pick:Winter Bliss Body Butter – Made with shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Great for winter dryness and rough patches.

✨ Body Oils: Lightweight Glow and Supplemental Care

Best for: Normal to dry skin, layering, post-shower glow

Body oils are fast-absorbing and perfect for sealing in moisture when applied to damp skin. They don’t hydrate on their own but are amazing for locking in water from your shower or underneath lotion or butter. Think of them as the “top coat” in your hydration routine.

Top pick:Fragrance-Free Body Oil – Simple, plant-based blend of sweet almond, grapeseed, and jojoba oils with vitamin E.

💡 How to Choose

• For everyday hydration: go with a body lotion.

• For ultra-dry skin and winter rescue: try a body butter.

• For extra glow and sealing in moisture: layer a body oil post-shower.

Want the best of all worlds? Layer them! Apply body oil to damp skin, follow with lotion, and finish with body butter on especially dry areas. Your skin will thank you.

Explore more natural moisture solutions at LatherGreen and build your perfect winter skincare routine.