Body butter feels so nourishing that it is natural to wonder whether you can use it on your face too. The short answer is that body butter is designed for the body, and facial skin has different needs. Here is a clear look at why, when it might be okay, and what to reach for instead.
The short answer
Body butter is formulated for the skin on your body, which is thicker and less prone to breakouts than the skin on your face. Facial skin is more delicate and its pores clog more easily, so a rich, occlusive body butter is usually too heavy for daily facial use. For most people, it is best to keep body butter below the neck.
Why facial skin is different
The skin on your face is thinner, more sensitive, and has more active oil glands than the skin on your arms, legs, and torso. It is also far more prone to clogged pores and breakouts. Rich body butters are built to sit on the skin and seal in moisture, which is ideal for a dry elbow but can be too much for a pore-prone cheek or forehead.
When body butter on the face might be okay
If your facial skin is very dry and not prone to breakouts, a tiny amount of a lighter butter on the driest areas may be fine for occasional use. Patch test first, use very little, and avoid the areas where you tend to break out. If your skin is oily, combination, or acne-prone, skip it on the face entirely.
What to use on your face instead
For daily facial care, use a moisturizer made for the face, which is formulated to hydrate without overwhelming delicate skin or clogging pores. Save your body butter for where it shines: deeply hydrating the body. If you want a lighter feel even on the body, our guide to mango butter benefits covers the lightest of the plant butters.
Get the most from body butter on your body
On the body, body butter is hard to beat for lasting softness. Apply to damp skin after a shower and focus on dry areas, as covered in our guide on how to use body butter, and see the best body butter for dry skin for the richest formulas. New to it? Start with what body butter is.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use body butter on your face?
It is not recommended for daily use. Body butter is made for the thicker skin on your body, and it can be too heavy for delicate, pore-prone facial skin. Use a facial moisturizer instead.
Will body butter clog pores on my face?
It can. Rich, occlusive body butters are more likely to clog the smaller, more active pores on facial skin, especially if your skin is oily or acne-prone.
Is body butter ok for very dry facial skin?
If your skin is very dry and not breakout-prone, a small amount of a lighter butter on the driest spots may be okay occasionally. Patch test first and keep it off breakout-prone areas.
What should I use on my face instead?
A moisturizer formulated for facial skin, which hydrates without the heaviness that can clog facial pores. Keep body butter for the body.
The bottom line
Body butter is a body product for good reason. Facial skin is more delicate and pore-prone, so keep body butter below the neck and use a facial moisturizer on your face. Explore body-perfect formulas in the Luxury Life Butter collection.
