Body butters and creams are the heaviest hitters in a dry skin routine occlusive enough to lock in moisture for hours, rich enough to repair a compromised barrier with regular use. Where oils treat and serums target, butters and creams protect and restore. For very dry or chronically dry skin, this is the non-negotiable step.

The best formulas combine occlusives like shea butter or cocoa butter with emollients and humectants — ingredients that don’t just coat the skin but actively draw moisture in and hold it there. Avoid formulas with alcohol high on the ingredient list; it undermines the barrier you’re trying to rebuild.

Apply within 3 minutes of showering. Skin is most receptive to moisture immediately after washing. Pat dry, leave skin slightly damp, and apply your butter or cream while the barrier is still open. This single habit makes a bigger difference than any formula upgrade.