Elle Vie Versus: Shea Butter or Lotion?

By Kimberly Seals

We all know how important moisturizing is for healthy, happy skin. But with so many options out there (lotions, oils, butters, oh my!), it can be difficult to find the right products for you. Fear not, Elle Vie is here to compare popular options to help you discover what works best for your skin. So, without further ado, shea butter vs. lotion.

Feel

Consistency is the most obvious difference between butters and lotions. Lotions are usually thinner than butters and lightweight for ease of use. Butters on the other hand are thicker and take their time to lock in moisture. Lotions absorb into the skin fairly quickly whereas butters have a more lingering feel to them.

Ingredients

The main components of lotion are water, oils, and an emulsifier to keep the first two main ingredients from separating. Unfortunately, emulsifiers are usually made with cetearyl alcohol and other drying ingredients that can actually strip your body of much needed oils and moisture in the long run. Lotions are also more likely to use filler ingredients such as silicone to create the illusion of smooth skin.

Because butters have a lower water content, there is no need for harsh emulsifiers or synthetic ingredients. For example, the main ingredient in Elle Vie’s body butters is natural shea. All of our ingredients are natural and easy to pronounce, so you won’t need a chemist to understand what you’re putting on your skin.

Effectiveness

Although both butters and lotions work to keep your skin moisturized, lotions often require multiple applications a day to keep the ash away. Butters, on the other hand, provide long lasting and deeply penetrating moisture for your skin. Just one application of Elle Vie’s shea butter will have you kicking ash all day long.

Final Verdict

For long lasting hydration and wholesome ingredients, butters are the clear winner. Why not upgrade your moisturization game and show your skin some love with one (or more) of Elle Vie’s ash kicking shea butters? ​