Plant Oils vs. Butters in Skincare: Which Is Best for You?

Plant oils and butters are great for your skin, but have you ever wondered which is better?
 
They contain similar fatty acids to those on our skin and are popular natural skincare ingredients.
 
 
Additionally, they are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and vitamins, which nourish your skin and help support skin barrier. 
 
 Still, many people are unaware of the main difference.
 
So, when it comes to plant oils vs. butters, which should you choose? In this post, we will simplify the difference to help you understand which to use.

What Are Plant Oils?

Plant oils are extracted from fruits, nuts, or seeds and are usually liquid at room temperature.  

Common examples include grapeseed oil, rosehip oil, argan oil and coconut oil.

Most plant oils are lightweight and fast absorbing, though a few are heavy. They support the skin barrier and are ideal for many skin types and concerns.

What Are Plant Butters?

Plant butters are extracted mainly from nuts and seeds.  They are thicker and are semi-solid or solid at room temperature.

Common examples include mango butter, shea butter, kpangnan butter and cocoa butter.

Plant butter provides deep nourishment, lock in moisture and protects the skin barrier.  

They are good for dehydrated and dry skin that needs protection and intense hydration.

 Don’t miss our beginner's guide on natural ingredients for skincare. 

 

How to Choose Between Oils and Butters

          

Here’s what to consider when choosing oils and butters.

1.     Consider Skin Concerns

Do you have sensitive, dry or acne-prone skin? Your skin concerns should influence your choice. Oils are great for fast absorbing nourishment , while butters more lasting protective barrier.

2.     Seasonal and Climatic Factors

How is the local weather? Hot/humid or cold and dry? Oil works best for hot or humid climates, while richer butters are ideal for cold or dry climates.

3.     Skincare Routine Placement

Which of them fits your skincare routine?  You could apply oils after moisturizers to seal hydration, or use butters at night. It depends on your routine.

4.     Layering

Why choose one when you can use plant oils and butter together? You can combine them like body butters or blend them.

 

Alternatively, you can use them at different times of the day or layer them for more benefit.

Common Misconceptions about Plant Oils and Butters

There are several myths about using plant oils and butters for skincare that are not true. Let’s address a few.

Myth 1: Oils always clog pores

It’s a common misconception that oils clog pores due to their fatty acid content and greasy appearance. 

The truth is that not all oils clog pores. It depends on several factors, such as skin type (oily or acne-prone), whether it is heavy (like olive oil or coconut oil) or light (like grapeseed oil or argan).

 

Also, are you applying it on your face (facial skin is thinner, has smaller pores and is more exposed) or other parts of your body? All of these contribute to pore clogging.

Myth 2: Plant Butters always feel greasy

To be candid, the texture of butters does appear greasy, but it doesn't always mean they will be greasy on the skin. The type, formulation and absorption rates affect their texture.

For instance, body butter with less butters and heavy oils could be less greasy on the skin. Additionally, some butters like mango butter are less greasy, while others like babassu and kpangnan are dry butters. 

Myth:3 Natural oils and butters are non-allergenic.

If it's from plants, it should be allergen-free, right? Not quite. These natural skincare ingredients can also cause reactions.

For example, someone with nut allergies may also be allergic to nut oils, such as almond oil. Additionally, there are instances where a few people react to shea butter due to latex allergies.

Always patch test any new oil and butter to monitor your skin's reaction.

 

 Conclusion: Listen to Your Skin

Plant oils and butters contain fatty acids that our skin needs, are rich in antioxidants and provide vitamins.

 

Most oils are liquid and usually fast absorbing than thicker but more protective butters. So, back to the question, Plant Oils vs. Butters in Skincare: which is better?

The answer depends on your skin type, skin concern and particular oil or butter. Everybody’s skin is different, and as a result, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

And you don’t have to choose, they beautifully complement each other, either as blends, body butters or as stand-alone.

What’s your best or worst experience with plant oils and butters?

FAQs

1. What is the difference between plant oil and a plant butter?
   Oils are liquids at room temperature, while butters are solids or semi-solids.

2. Oil Vs Butter: Which is better for the skin?
   There is no absolute answer to this. Butter provides deeper nourishment, while oils are lighter and more quickly absorbing.  

3. The best for you will depend on your skin needs and climatic conditions.

4. Do plant butters feel greasy?
   Not all the time. The texture and formulation matter determine if it's greasy on the skin. Also, butters like mango butter are less greasy than shea.  

5. Do plant oils clog skin pores?
   Not all oils clog pores. Some, like argan, rosehip, and blackseed oil, are lightweight. Meanwhile, coconut oil and olive oil are heavy and may clog pores on oily or acne-prone skin.

6. Can plant oils and butters cause allergies?
   Yes, some can cause nut allergies (like almond oil) or latex sensitivities (like shea butter). It depends on individual reaction; always patch test before use.

7. Do oils and butters offer antioxidant benefits?
   Yes, many do.  Besides their fatty acids, most of them contain vitamins, phenols, and other compounds that have antioxidant properties.