The most aesthetically luxurious body balms on both look and feel.
A selection of body balms, creams, and butters to moisturize skin for the Winter season. I chose balms and butters over lighter lotions because the thickness of balms and the way it spreads like butter on skin is a relaxing experience especially for the dry seasons. I hate crusty, dry, itchy skin and I get it the worst in the Winter.
Here’s my short list of 5 luxurious body balms, creams, and butters for you to explore:
It all started here. This body balm inspired me to create this post on the most luxurious body creams. It’s one of the most thoughtfully designed skincare products I’ve ever come across. Perfect for travel, hands-free, and fragrance-free for those with sensitivities! The balm comes encased in stunning gold packaging—like, what the chic?! It’s the ultimate blend of sophistication and elegance. I’m completely in love with its aesthetics. I also think this would make a truly unique gift for the holidays.
If you love Mama Rih’s perfume but find it too heavy, try this hybrid body butter-oil instead. It offers a lighter version of the Fenty fragrance, perfect for those who, like me, are prone to headaches or nausea from strong scents. I have a sensitive nose and an even more sensitive body, so when I adore a fragrance but my senses don’t agree, I reach for the body creams. Now, I get to smell amazing and stay moisturized at the same time. One thing I’ve noticed about body lotions, balms, and butters is that when I apply them and they sink into my skin, the scent tends to project again when I sweat. So, that’s definitely a bonus—now I smell great even during my workouts.
Notes of magnolia, musk, tangerine, and Bulgarian rose
One of the most unique scents by Byredo—though, honestly, all of their scents are one-of-a-kind and absolutely incredible. The brand’s aesthetic is a perfect blend of luxury and cool. It comes off nonchalant, but like anything that appears effortless, the process behind creating something so beautifully distinct surely involved plenty of intentional experimentation. This Mojave Ghost body cream for those who want a good introduction to unique scents on top of having nourished skin.
Top notes of ambrette. Heart notes of magnolia, sandalwood, and violet. Base notes of cedarwood, chantilly musk, and crisp amber.
I can’t mention Byredo without thinking of Le Labo. For those just discovering unique scents, these two brands are often where their noses first land—thanks to their viral and popular fragrances. From Le Labo, I have the lighter body lotion in Santal 33. It’s perfect for summer because it absorbs easily and has a much lighter feel. For winter, though, a richer cream like this one is more suitable for the season. This thick, buttery body cream is plant-based, featuring avocado oil and shea butter for that rich texture that softens your skin. When I choose a body cream, I tend to gravitate toward those with calming scents. This particular fragrance was inspired by the forests surrounding the Buddhist temples of Mt. Koya in Japan. Le Labo sought to capture the mystical, warm, and mesmerizing scent of the Hinoki trees found in that serene, sacred forest.
Notes of refreshing lemon
I’ve used so many of Moroccanoil’s products over the years. Ever since their famous hair oil first hit the scene, I’ve never stopped loving their signature scent—it’s insanely addictive. Right now, I’m using their dry spray-on body oil after showers, and I’m about to add this body butter to my skincare routine.
Notes of spicy amber and sweet floral.
Star ingredients include: argan oil and shea, cocoa and mango butters.
A tip for making scents last longer: right after you step out of the shower, leave your skin damp. Then, apply your body cream/butter/balm, followed by a body oil (if it’s a dry oil, apply that first), to lock in moisture. Lastly, if you’re heading out, finish with your perfume. The body oils and creams help lock both the moisture and fragrance for much longer.
Vegan and cruelty-free, Ouai body cream is deliciously nourishing. It has rich combination of cupuaçu butter, hydrating coconut oil, and skin-conditioning squalane. Now, if you eff with the glow, this cream will give your skin that luminosity. The reviews for this body cream are very convincing and my search always ends with Ouai. No matter how many people I ask, reddit forums I scour, Ouai is right there. Sitting, waiting, lurking, ready to moisturize and glow your skin right up.
Notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and Baltic amber.
