Lotions & Butters

Hydration that actually holds up.

Every lotion, whipped body butter, lotion bar and cream here is made by hand in small batches in Bel Air, Maryland, and we make it after you order it — not months in advance sitting in a warehouse. That means the butters and oils in your jar are fresh, and it means we can keep fragrance-free versions of almost everything on the shelf for people who react to scent.

Lotion or body butter — which one do you need?

This is the question we get most, and the honest answer is that it depends on how much water your skin needs versus how much it needs help holding water in.

Lotion is an emulsion — water and oil blended together. It absorbs quickly, layers under clothes without transfer, and works for daily, all-over use. Reach for Velvet & Ember – Lightweight Body Lotion for everyday hydration, or Low-Key Lotion if you want a fragrance-free face moisturizer.

Whipped body butter is water-free — butters and oils only. It does not hydrate on its own; it seals in the water that is already there. That makes it the right pick for elbows, knees, heels, hands and winter skin. She Thick – Whipped Body Butter is our richest option.

A lotion bar is body butter in solid form, so nothing spills and nothing needs a preservative. Lit Lotion Bar travels well and works well on hands and cuticles.

A targeted cream does one job properly. Get a Grip – Hand & Foot Cream is built for the two places that crack first.

How to layer for genuinely dry skin

Dry skin usually is not a lotion problem — it is a sequencing problem. Exfoliate first with a scrub from Bath & Shower so you are not moisturising dead surface skin. Apply lotion to skin that is still slightly damp from the shower, while there is water on the surface to trap. Then, if your skin still feels tight an hour later, seal it with body butter or a balm or oil on the spots that need it. Hydrate, then seal — in that order.

What we leave out

No dyes, no mystery "fragrance" on the label without telling you what is in it, and a fragrance-free option in most categories. Ingredients are listed in full on every product page, because if you have reactive skin you should not have to guess.

Common questions

Is body butter better than lotion? Neither is better. Lotion delivers water; body butter holds it in. Most people with dry skin do best using both.

Will body butter feel greasy? Whipped butter feels rich going on and absorbs within a few minutes if you use a small amount. Most greasiness comes from using too much.

Do you have a fragrance-free lotion? Yes — Low-Key Lotion and Tune Up Botanical Skin Oil are both unscented.

How long does an order take? Everything is made to order, then ships in 1 to 4 business days.

How should I store it? Somewhere cool and out of direct sun. Natural butters can soften in summer heat; that does not affect how they work.

Prep skin in Bath & Shower, or add targeted care from Balms & Oils. Still deciding? Read Body Butter vs. Lotion.