Last checked: October 2026 · By Boaz Yadin
A body lotion is the everyday choice: light, quick to sink in, and easy to spread over the whole body. A body butter is richer and slower, made for skin that stays dry and for rough spots like elbows, knees and shins. Many people use both: lotion all over, butter where the skin is roughest.
What is the difference between a body lotion and a body butter?
The difference is how rich the base is. A lotion carries more water and spreads thin. A butter is denser, so it stays on the skin longer and leaves a heavier, cushioned feel. The American Academy of Dermatology says creams and ointments add more moisture to skin than lotions, and suggests them for skin that feels dry (AAD, Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin).
| Body lotion | Body butter | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Light, from a tube | Dense, from a jar |
| Finish | Sinks in in about a minute | Velvety; give it 90 seconds before you dress |
| Best for | Daily softness over the whole body | Dry skin and rough spots |
| When | Morning or night | Night, winter, or after a scrub |
What makes a body lotion or butter a Dead Sea product?
Both SEACRET formulas carry Dead Sea water, listed on the label as Maris Aqua, in a shea butter base. Dead Sea water holds 26 Dead Sea minerals, with 40 times the magnesium and 43 times the calcium of ordinary seawater. The Dead Sea guide covers what is in the water.
When should you choose a body lotion?
Choose a lotion when you want soft skin every day without waiting to get dressed. SEACRET Softening Body Lotion, Ocean Mist has shea butter as its second ingredient, with jojoba oil, squalane and Ceramide NP. It is vegan, absorbs in about a minute, and comes in Ocean Mist and Pomegranate. Reviewers say it "absorbs and doesn't leave a residue."
How to use it: after the shower, pat skin slightly damp. Squeeze out a small amount for each arm or leg and massage it in with upward strokes until it disappears.
When should you choose a body butter?
Choose a butter for skin that still feels dry after lotion, and for elbows, knees and shins. SEACRET Restorative Mineral Body Butter, Ocean Mist builds on shea butter with evening primrose, coconut and avocado oils. It also comes in Pomegranate.
How to use it: warm a quarter-sized scoop in your palm until it softens. Too much at once can roll on the surface. Massage it into elbows, knees and shins first, then the rest of the body, and give it 90 seconds before you dress.
Can you use body lotion and body butter together?
Yes. Use the lotion all over every day and the butter on the spots that stay rough. With normal skin, the butter can be a twice-a-week step. Drier skin often moves to the butter all over in winter.
Both work best straight after a shower. The AAD advises patting skin dry and applying moisturizer immediately (AAD). On scrub days, follow a Dead Sea salt scrub with the butter. The rest of the range is in body lotions and body creams.
Frequently asked questions
Is body butter better than lotion for dry skin?
For skin that stays dry, a richer format like a body butter is usually the better match. The AAD suggests creams and ointments over lotions for dry skin. For everyday softness on normal skin, a lotion is enough.
Can I use body lotion or body butter on my face?
No. Both are made for body skin. For the face, use a face moisturizer such as SEACRET Moisturizing Day Cream.
Will body butter stain my clothes?
Give it 90 seconds to absorb before you dress. If you dress straight away, some may transfer.
How long does a jar or tube last?
With daily full-body use, the 200 ml lotion lasts about two to three months, and the 250 ml butter about the same. Used only on rough spots, the butter lasts six months or more.
Is the body lotion vegan?
Yes, the Softening Body Lotion is vegan and cruelty-free.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. SEACRET products are cosmetics intended to improve the appearance of skin and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.
