A Comprehensive Comparison Of The Differences Between Body Butter, Cream, Yogurt And Lotion

Written by Niharika Nayak, BA (Media & Communication)  • 

Keeping your skin moisturized, supple and soft is extremely important. While you might be sweating intensely during the harsh summers, the dry weather in winters can often lead to your skin getting super dry and you need to make sure that you keep your skin hydrated. While you can make use of sunscreen that contains moisturizing properties, it’s always a good idea to get a water-based moisturizer and use it during the harsh summer months. Although we spend almost all our time taking care of our facial skin, we tend to forget to give the rest of our body the TLC that it needs and deserves. So if you are confused about whether you want to buy body butter, lotion, yogurt, or cream, we are here to help you by listing the differences as well as the pros and cons of each of the products. So without further ado, here are the main differences between body lotions, body butter, body yogurts, and body creams:

1. What Is A Body Lotion?

Body Lotion
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Image: IStock

The body lotion is the oldest and most popular of the skincare products that are being mentioned on our list and has been on the skincare market for seemingly forever. The lotion is formulated with a mix of water and a tiny amount of oil and is suitable for all skin types. The body lotion has a light and thin consistency and is semi-liquid. It is meant to lightly moisturize the body and doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin layers. You can find all kinds of variants of body lotion and it can be catered to any skin type that there is. Whether you have sensitive or dry skin, you will find tons of options and in a variety of flavors and colors. The impact of the ingredient mix in a body lotion is meant to be only for the epidermis of the skin. It is not meant for deep moisturizing but to keep the texture of the outer layer of your skin smooth.

Pros Of Using Body Lotion

  • Wide variety
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Can be used during the day and at night
  • Does not clog pores
  • Retains moisture
  • Thinner consistency than butter or cream

Cons Of Using Body Lotion

  • Can be a bit sticky and tough to wash off

2. What Is A Body Butter?

What Is A Body Butter
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Image: Shutterstock

Body butter is thicker and more intense than lotions are. They have a super thick consistency and are mostly made of carrier oils and essential butter. They are greasy and contain much less water compared to lotions and body yogurts. Body butter is richer and creamier in consistency than body lotion. Body butter is perfect if you live in a particularly cold and dry region and are a wonderful addition to your winter skincare regime. If you are someone who has skin that tends to get dry and flaky fast, then body butter is probably your best bet. They also contain a stronger scent than body lotion or body yogurt. They can penetrate deeper into your skin’s barriers and are more internally nourishing. It is not very popular among the Indian majority due to the fluctuating humid climates. However, if you are living in very dry weather conditions, it is advisable to add a good quality body butter to your skincare plus bath use collection.

Pros Of Using Body Butter

  • Intense moisturization
  • Meant for those who have dry and flaky skin
  • Can be used on elbows, feet, and other extra dry areas
  • Can mainly be used before you go to bed

Cons Of Using Body Butter

  • A little greasy
  • Contains very little water so not so good for oily skin
  • Cannot be applied to the face as it can lead to acne
  • More difficult to spread than body lotion
  • Not compatible with all weather conditions

3. What Is A Body Cream?

Body-Cream
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Body creams fall exactly in between the consistency of body lotions and body butter. The body cream isn’t as thick as body butter would be but it is more solid than a lotion would be. The body cream is an emollient and this means that body cream softens and moisturizes the upper layers of the skin. Body cream can decrease itching and flakiness but isn’t as effective and hydrating towards dry skin as body butter is. The body cream is perfect for people who have normal to dry skin. Those who have oily skin can make use of them during the cold months of the winter season and whenever their body requires an extra boost of hydration.

Pros Of Using Body Cream

  • Medium consistency
  • Good for normal to dry skin
  • Can improve flaky skin

Cons Of Using Body Cream

  • Doesn’t moisturize as intensely as body butter
  • Not recommended for very oily skin type

4. What Is A Body Yogurt?

Body-Yogurt
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Out of the different types of creams, lotions, and butter, body yogurts are the newest addition and get absorbed into your skin super fast compared to other types of creams and lotions. Body yogurts are made with almond milk, fruit extracts, and vegetable-derived glycerine. They are supposed to be applied to your skin while it is damp from your shower or bath. Body yogurts are made using bio-fermented hyaluronic acid and these provide intense hydration to your skin. This will keep any rough or dry patches that you may tend to suffer from at bay. As body yogurts are not too thick or greasy, they are perfect for those who have combination skin. This also works well for those who have a normal to oily skin type. This product has to be the most ideal one for the South Asian combination skin type. It is versatile but it hardly causes any harm to other skin types, unless you have a serious or severe skin condition.

Pros Of Using Body Yogurt

  • Gets easily absorbed into the skin
  • Not too greasy
  • Good for normal to combination skin types
  • Works best on damp skin
  • Great for summers

Cons Of Using Body Yogurt

  • Doesn’t work well for super dry skin
  • Works properly when the skin is damp only.

It is natural to get confused with the purpose of these different moisturizing products since there are so many varieties of skin care products doing the rounds nowadays. These minute differences in ingredient consistency can go a very long way in determining your kind of product, according to your skin type. Now that you understand the actual differences between these four products, you will be able to choose one that suits you better. So you’ll be able to purchase the right product for the right season. Do let us know all of your thoughts on this article in the comment section below.

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