Can Men Use Body Butter? Everything You Need to Know

Yes, men can use body butter, and many do. Body butter is a thick moisturiser, and nothing about it is made for one sex only. Baraka's shea butter is made by hand at the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Wa, Ghana, and it is a simple choice for men with dry hands, feet, elbows and knees.

Can men use body butter?

Yes. Men can use body butter on the same skin, in the same way, as anyone else. Skin does not change what it needs by gender. Men's skin on the face is often a little oilier, but the skin on hands, feet, elbows, knees and shins gets dry just as easily.

Some people ask about products such as a body butter cream from a high street shop. The answer is the same. A body butter is a body butter, whoever the packaging is aimed at. Dark labels and woody scents do not change what is inside. What matters is the ingredient list and how it feels on your skin.

Why the sudden hype about body butter for men? More men now talk openly about grooming. Shaving routines have grown beyond a razor and a splash of water, and social media has made moisturising an ordinary topic. The idea is not new. Families across Ghana have used shea butter on their skin for generations.

What's the difference between lotion and body butter?

Here are the key differences between lotion and body butter:

• Lotion is lighter and thinner. It is made to absorb quickly and usually contains more water and less oil.
• Body butter is thicker and creamier. It contains more oil and less water, so it feels richer and lasts longer on the skin.

Pure shea butter is simply butter, with no water added. It melts on contact with warm skin, so a little goes a long way.

Are there health dangers of body butter for men?

No danger is specific to men. The usual cautions apply to everyone. Added fragrance bothers some people. A very rich butter can feel heavy on oily facial skin, so many men keep body butter below the neck. Some people react to a particular added ingredient. Patch test first: put a small amount on the inside of your arm and wait to see how your skin responds.

If a rash is sore, spreads or does not go away, ask a doctor or pharmacist. This page is general DIY advice, not medical advice.

What is the best body butter for men?

The best body butter for men is the one you will use every day. Look for a short ingredient list, a texture that suits your routine and a scent you like, or none at all. For many men, a pure shea butter is the easiest place to start.

Here is what to check when you compare body butters for men, whether you search for mens body butter, male body butter or a luxury men's body lotion:

• Ingredients. Fewer is simpler. You can see exactly what you are putting on your skin.
• Scent. Scented butters suit some people. Fragrance-free suits others, especially if you also wear cologne.
• Texture. Thick butters feel rich and suit dry patches. Lighter blends absorb faster.
• Where it comes from. A luxury label is about packaging. Look at the ingredients and who made it.

Why shea butter suits many men

Shea butter comes from the seeds of the shea fruit. Here are four reasons many men like it:

• It is simple. Pure shea butter is a single ingredient, so there is no long list to check.
• It moisturises. It is rich in fatty acids, and naturally contains vitamins A and E. Many people find it keeps rough hands and heels feeling soft.
• It suits many skin types. Most people can use it on the body. Still, patch test first, as with any new skincare ingredient.
• A little goes a long way. A pea-sized amount covers a lot of skin once it melts between your palms.

Our naturally organic, unrefined shea butter is made by hand at the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre. Baraka is Community Certified Fair Trade. For more on shea and men, read Shea butter for men.

Try it yourself: Baraka naturally organic, unrefined shea butter, Community Certified Fair Trade

What about the best smelling body butter for men?

Scent is personal, so there is no single answer. Unrefined shea butter has a natural scent of its own. If you want a stronger fragrance, a scented ready-made body butter is the simpler route, and the label will tell you what is in it. If you prefer to keep your cologne as your only scent, choose an unscented butter.

What about cocoa butter or coconut oil?

Other men ask whether cocoa butter or coconut oil is good for men. Both are popular body moisturisers. Cocoa butter is firm and smells faintly of chocolate. Virgin coconut oil is softer and melts at skin temperature. Try each on a small area and choose the feel you like best.

You may also like: How to Know Your Shea Butter

How do you use body butter as a man?

Warm a small amount between your palms, then rub it into damp skin after a shower. Damp skin helps the butter spread and sit on the skin. Start with less than you think you need, as you can always add more.

1. Shower or wash, then pat your skin so it is still slightly damp.
2. Scoop a pea-sized amount for a hand, or a teaspoon for a whole leg.
3. Rub it between your palms until it melts.
4. Smooth it over dry areas first: hands, elbows, knees, shins and feet.
5. Let it settle for a few minutes before you dress.

The best time is after a shower, when skin is most receptive to moisture. Many men also put butter on their hands and feet at night, then slip on socks.

How often should men use body butter?

How often depends on your skin, your lifestyle and the climate. Here are some general guidelines:

• Dry skin: If you have dry skin, you may use body butter daily, or more than once a day on hands and feet.
• Normal skin: Every other day, or as needed, is often enough.
• Oily skin: You may need it only now and then, on the driest areas. Keep it light so skin does not feel greasy.

Listen to your skin. If it feels dry or rough, use butter more often. If it feels greasy, use less.

Can you use body butter as aftershave?

Yes, many men do. Shea butter is a traditional skin moisturiser in Ghana, and many people report it feels comfortable on skin after shaving. Warm a very small amount between your fingers and press it onto clean, cool skin. It will melt on contact and leave skin feeling soft. Because it is rich, it may feel heavy on an oily face, so start small. Patch test first. If your skin stays red or sore after shaving, ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Body butter versus cologne: which goes first?

They do different jobs. Body butter moisturises. Cologne adds scent. If you use both, put the body butter on first, let it absorb, then add cologne. An unscented butter will not compete with your fragrance. Do not put cologne on skin that is cracked, sore or freshly shaved.

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Is body butter good for men's dry or sensitive skin?

Often yes for dry skin. For sensitive skin, choose a short ingredient list, avoid added fragrance and patch test first. Body butter is a moisturiser, not a treatment for any skin condition.

Dry skin

Dry skin feels tight, rough or flaky. A rich butter holds moisture on the surface of the skin. Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and naturally contains vitamins A and E. In Ghana it has long been used on dry skin, and many people report that it feels comforting on dry, tight patches. Use it on hands, feet, elbows and knees, wherever your skin feels dry.

Sensitive skin

If your skin reacts easily, keep it simple. Choose a fragrance-free body butter with as few ingredients as possible. Patch test first on the inside of your arm, and wait a day. Add one new product at a time, so you know what caused any reaction.

If you have eczema, a rash or any skin condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you try a new product. Body butter does not replace medical care.

Is shea butter the same for men and women?

Yes. Shea butter is the same ingredient for everyone. It contains vitamins and fatty acids, and it moisturises skin of any gender. Choose a pure, good-quality butter, and you have the same product that anyone else would use.

The short version

• Men can use body butter, and it works like it does for anyone.
• Choose a short ingredient list and a scent you like, or none.
• Apply a small amount to damp skin after a shower.
• Patch test first, and see a doctor or pharmacist for a persistent rash.

You can read more about the women behind our shea butter in our Impact Report.

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