Shea Butter Cream
£34.95, SW Basics (abeautifulworld.co.uk)
They say This SW Basics Shea Butter Cream is like a never-ending pot, and there’s no doubt this ultra-rich cream is a saving grace for dry, sensitive skin.
We say “Butter cream” sums up the consistency of this moisturiser, as well as giving a good hint about what’s on the ingredients list. There are only three components involved: shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil — all of which are organic and non-comedogenic (this means that they don’t block pores). The texture isn’t too solid so the cream is easy to spread over scaly shins and elbows, which will quickly feel renewed after just a couple of uses. The only downside is that it’s tricky to scrape the remnants out of the square jar — trust us, this is one product you’ll definitely finish.
Cocoa Butter Formula Jar
£3.49, Palmer’s (superdrug.com)
They say The original classic moisturiser, this unique solid formula contains the highest concentration of cocoa butter, making it the perfect choice to soften, smooth and relieve rough, dry skin.
We say Palmer’s body butter has a cult fanbase (not to mention an A-list following of Jennifer Lopez and Naomi Campbell) for a reason — it’s cheap as chips, but wholly delivers on its promises of giving skin an intense moisture boost. Cocoa butter, the formula’s main ingredient, is a brilliant multi-tasker — it can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars and works just as well on sun-punished skin as on hands and legs that are chapped from the cold. The dense, lard-like texture melts on contact with skin, leaving no tacky residue, so you can pull on your tights or trousers soon after application. Top marks.
Vine Body Butter
£21, Caudalie (uk.caudalie.com)
They say Vine Body Butter is ideal from anyone with dry to very dry skin looking to regain supple, soft skin all day long.
We say Caudalie’s cream has a strong scent — something similar to fruit cake thanks to the grape butter and orange blossom — so it’s best avoided if you’ve got sensitive skin (and a nose like a sniffer dog). For a butter that’s formulated for dry to very dry skin it thankfully doesn’t feel remotely like rubbing in SPF 50. Its texture is impressively light and silky, and left my skin tingling and feeling much less tight after a long day on my feet. Make it your new year’s resolution to smooth it on straight after a shower and last thing before bed and your skin will never have looked so supple.
Zingy Ginger Body Butter
£11, Soaper Duper (soaperduper.com)
They say Body and planet-conscious hand care, Soaper Duper’s Zingy Ginger Body Butter is gentle on skin thanks to its array of natural nutrients and elimination of chemical ingredients.
We say Soaper Duper makes some of the best natural skincare products on the market — brightly packaged, inexpensive and, best of all, effective. I’ve become slightly addicted to the Zingy Ginger Body Butter, which contains 97 per cent naturally derived ingredients that combine to make something impossibly tropical smelling. Ginger and grapefruit extracts, plus macadamia, sweet almond, lime and peach kernel oils, mean that I reach for it when my legs are feeling tired and my skin is irritated. Try it the next time you’re hot and bothered; a dollop and a brisk rub will immediately make limbs tingle and feel cool, not to mention smoother and deliciously scented.
Body Butter
£48, Susanne Kaufmann (net-a-porter.com)
They say A richly whipped blend of honey, olive oil and nourishing shea butter, Susanne Kaufmann’s moisturising body cream delivers long-term protection against rough, chapped skin.
We say Make 2017 the year you stop snoozing your alarm and spend those extra five minutes smoothing various lotions and potions into your skin. You couldn’t do better than Susanne Kaufmann’s Body Butter. Yes it’s at the pricier end of the scale and contains ingredients that you could rustle up in your pantry, but there’s nothing better for dry skin that didn’t see much moisturiser in 2016. It soaks into skin quickly, and is pleasingly non-greasy. I applied it and pulled on my tights almost immediately without getting them twisted in five places. It also gave my skin a lingering scent of honey and olive oil that made forgoing a little duvet time worth it.