What Does 'Butter' Mean on a Label?
Arin Editorial · how this is made
When you see 'Butter' on a cosmetic label, you might think of the spread you eat. Not far off: the name describes fatty oils that remain nearly solid at room temperature. What does it do in skin care?
How Is Butter Defined?
In cosmetic ingredient glossaries, 'Butter' is a common name for various fatty oils that stay nearly solid at room temperature. It can come from plant or animal sources. Shea butter is a widely used example that fits this definition.
What Does It Do in Cosmetics?
These solid fats mostly act as skin softeners and moisture barriers. According to records on shea butter, such ingredients can function as skin conditioning agents, emollients, occlusives, and viscosity increasing agents. They also appear in hair care products.
Does Natural Mean Safe?
Being from a natural source doesn't automatically make it safe. Experts who review botanical ingredients in beauty products say these substances need as careful a safety assessment as synthetic ones.
There is no specific restriction on 'Butter' in the sources at hand; however, natural ingredients are also noted to require safety assessment.
If you see 'Butter' on a label, look for certifications like organic, natural, vegan, or cruelty-free; they give clues about manufacturing standards. Ingredient scanner apps such as SkinCarisma or SkinSAFE can give quick info about 'Butter.' Its position in the ingredient list also hints at how much is in the formula.