The Feels Like Heaven Botanical Skincare Journal | Part One of Three
Discover how rich botanical butters and nourishing plant oils can transform your everyday moisturizing routine into a luxurious self-care experience.
When your skin feels dry, tight, or uncomfortable, sometimes it needs more than a lightweight lotion. It needs ingredients that help soften rough areas, retain moisture, and leave your skin feeling beautifully cared for.
At Feels Like Heaven Body Butters & Soaps, we believe that exceptional skincare begins with thoughtfully selected ingredients. Our handcrafted body butters feature luxurious plant-based butters and botanical oils chosen for their moisturizing, conditioning, and skin-softening properties.
From rich shea butter to silky apricot kernel oil, each ingredient contributes something special to the finished product. But what exactly makes body butter different from an everyday moisturizer? And why do the ingredients matter? Let's explore.
What Is Body Butter?
Body butter is a rich, concentrated moisturizer typically formulated with plant-based butters and nourishing oils. Unlike traditional lotions, which contain water and moisturizing ingredients, our whipped body butters are crafted without added water. Their richness comes from the natural fats and oils that help condition the skin and reduce moisture loss.
Body butters are especially beneficial for areas that tend to become dry or rough, including:
- Elbows and knees
- Hands and cuticles
- Heels and feet
- Other areas needing additional moisture protection
One of the greatest advantages of body butter is its versatility. It can be incorporated into your daily skincare routine or used whenever your skin needs extra conditioning.
The secret to getting the most from your body butter? Apply it to slightly damp skin to help seal in existing moisture.
Why Body Butters Are So Effective
Our skin naturally loses moisture throughout the day. Environmental conditions, frequent bathing, harsh cleansers, and seasonal changes can contribute to feelings of dryness and discomfort. Body butters help address this by providing emollient ingredients that soften the skin and help reduce moisture loss.
1. They Help Seal In Moisture. Plant-based butters and oils form a conditioning layer on the skin's surface, helping slow moisture loss and maintain softness.
2. They Soften Dry, Rough Skin. The fatty acids found in botanical butters help smooth the skin's surface, improving the feel of dry or rough areas.
3. They Provide Rich, Lasting Comfort. Because body butters are concentrated formulations, a small amount can provide substantial skin conditioning. Their rich texture makes them especially appealing during cooler months or whenever your skin needs additional care.
4. They Make Everyday Skincare Feel Luxurious. There is something special about warming a beautifully whipped body butter between your hands and gently massaging it into your skin. The texture, fragrance, and application become part of an intentional moment of self-care.
Meet Our Botanical Butters
Not all botanical butters are alike. Each has a distinctive texture, fatty acid composition, and role in skincare formulation.
At Feels Like Heaven, we use a selection of four beautiful plant-based butters.
Shea Butter — Rich and Comforting
Derived from the nuts of the African shea tree, shea butter is known for its creamy consistency and skin-conditioning fatty acids. It helps soften dry skin and provides a rich, comforting feel.
Mango Butter — Smooth and Silky
Extracted from mango seeds, mango butter offers a smooth texture and excellent emollient properties. It contributes to the soft, luxurious feel of a well-balanced body butter.
Cocoa Butter — Rich Moisture Protection
Obtained from cocoa beans, cocoa butter is naturally firm and rich in fatty acids. It helps reduce moisture loss while adding structure and richness to body butter formulations.
Kokum Butter — A Refined Botanical Touch
Derived from kokum seeds, this firm botanical butter is valued for its high stearic acid content. It contributes to a smooth application and helps provide structure without necessarily creating an overly heavy finish.
Each of these butters offers something different. By selecting and combining them thoughtfully, we can create formulations with varying textures and skin-conditioning characteristics.
In Part Three of our Botanical Skincare Journal, we'll explore these four butters in greater detail.
Botanical Oils: The Perfect Partners to Body Butters
While plant butters provide richness and structure, botanical oils help enhance spread ability, softness, and the overall feel of a finished product. Some of the oils we incorporate into our body butter formulations include:
Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is appreciated for its relatively lightweight texture and skin-conditioning properties. Depending on the variety, it may contain substantial amounts of linoleic acid, a fatty acid associated with the skin's natural barrier. It helps soften the skin and contributes to a smooth, silky application.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil contains oleic and linoleic fatty acids that make it a wonderful emollient. Its smooth texture helps condition dry skin while contributing to the luxurious feel of our whipped body butters.
Rice Bran Oil
Extracted from the outer layer of rice grains, rice bran oil contains skin-conditioning fatty acids and naturally occurring compounds such as tocopherols and gamma-oryzanol. It helps leave the skin feeling soft, smooth, and conditioned.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is valued for its antioxidant properties. In oil-based formulations, it can help slow the oxidation of certain oils while contributing to skin conditioning.
Together, these ingredients complement our botanical butters and help create beautifully balanced formulations.
A Special Touch: Our Handcrafted Botanical Infusions
One of the things we especially enjoy about creating handcrafted skincare is the opportunity to work with beautiful botanical ingredients.
At Feels Like Heaven Body Butters & Soaps, we personally prepare selected botanical-infused oils for use in some of our formulations.
Our infusions include:
- Calendula and Lavender-Infused Safflower Oil: A thoughtfully prepared botanical oil featuring calendula and lavender flowers infused into safflower oil.
- Chamomile-Infused Apricot Kernel Oil: A delicate botanical infusion combining chamomile flowers with the skin-conditioning qualities of apricot kernel oil.
These infusions reflect our appreciation for traditional botanical preparation and our commitment to thoughtful ingredient selection. Rather than relying solely on ready-made botanical blends, we enjoy taking an active role in preparing some of the ingredients that go into our products.
It's another way we bring intention and craftsmanship to our skincare creations.
In Part Two of our Botanical Skincare Journal, we'll take a closer look at botanical infusions, how they're prepared, and why we incorporate them into selected products.
Body Butter vs. Lotion: What's the Difference?
Both body butters and lotions can help maintain soft, comfortable skin, but they work a little differently.
Body Butter
Body butter is typically richer and more concentrated. Our water-free formulations use botanical butters and oils to soften the skin and help reduce moisture loss.
Best for: Those who enjoy rich moisturizers, need additional conditioning for dry areas, or want to seal in moisture after bathing.
Body Lotion
Lotions generally combine water, oils, and other moisturizing ingredients into a lighter, more fluid consistency.
Because they contain water, lotions can provide hydration directly while also delivering skin-conditioning ingredients.
Best for: Everyday moisturizing, warmer weather, or individuals who prefer a lighter texture.
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely!
A lotion and body butter can complement one another beautifully.
For additional moisture care, apply your favorite lotion first, then follow with a small amount of body butter to help seal in hydration.
The best choice ultimately depends on your skin's needs and personal preferences.
How to Get the Most from Your Body Butter
Using body butter doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple steps can help you enjoy its benefits.
Step 1: Start with Clean, Slightly Damp Skin
After showering or bathing, gently pat your skin with a towel, leaving a little moisture behind.
Step 2: Use a Small Amount
Scoop out a small amount of body butter and warm it between your palms.
Remember, a little goes a long way.
Step 3: Massage Gently
Apply using gentle circular motions, paying particular attention to areas prone to dryness.
Step 4: Allow Time to Absorb
Give the oils and butters a few moments to settle into your skin before dressing.
Self-Care Tip: Keep your body butter in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Natural butters can soften or melt when exposed to high temperatures, which may change their texture.
A Ritual of Care, Not Just Moisture
At Feels Like Heaven Body Butters & Soaps, we believe self-care should be more than another task on your daily schedule. It should be an opportunity to slow down, nurture yourself, and enjoy the simple pleasure of beautifully conditioned skin. Our handcrafted body butters celebrate the richness of botanical ingredients—from creamy shea and mango butters to silky safflower and apricot kernel oils. Each formulation is thoughtfully created to bring softness, comfort, and a touch of everyday luxury to your skincare routine. Because caring for your skin should feel just as wonderful as the experience itself.
Feels Like Heaven Body Butters & Soaps
Where Self Care Feels Like Heaven.
Continue Exploring Our Botanical Skincare Journal
Coming Next — Part Two: The Art of Botanical Infusions: From Flowers to Luxurious Skincare
Discover how we personally infuse calendula, lavender, and chamomile flowers into selected botanical oils and why these handcrafted ingredients hold a special place in our skincare formulations.
Part Three: Shea, Mango, Cocoa & Kokum — Discovering the Beauty of Botanical Butters
Explore the distinctive characteristics of four botanical butters and learn how they contribute to the textures and moisturizing qualities of our products.
Experience the Beauty of Handcrafted Skincare
Explore our collection of handcrafted body butters and discover how thoughtfully selected botanical ingredients can elevate your everyday self-care routine.
Shop Feels Like Heaven Body Butters
Individual formulations vary. Refer to each product's ingredient list for details. For external use only; discontinue use if irritation occurs.