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Writer's pictureSHE Essentials

Body Butter with Water vs. Waterless Butters: The Science Behind Our Shea Body Butters

Updated: Nov 25


Smooth, creamy shea body butter being held in open jar


























When choosing a body butter, the debate between emulsified (water-based) butters and waterless butters can be confusing. At SHE Essentials, we believe in keeping our formulations pure and simple. Our shea body butters are designed to spread easily without the need for emulsifiers or water. But what does this mean, and why does it matter for your skin? Let’s break it down.

Comparison of water-based and waterless body butters highlighting differences in texture and formulation.


























Emulsified Butters: Water-Based and Stabilized

In emulsified body butters, water is added to the formulation along with oils and butters. To keep the water and oil from separating, emulsifiers—ingredients that act as bridges between water and oil—are used to create a smooth, even texture. Here’s the science:


How Emulsifiers Work: Emulsifiers have a hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (oil-loving) end. These help bind both the oil and water together, creating a stable mixture.


Common emulsifiers used in skincare include:

  • Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol that stabilizes the product.

  • Stearic Acid: A fatty acid that thickens and holds the formula together.

  • Emulsifying Wax: A common emulsifier that helps water and oils mix.


Without emulsifiers, water and oil would naturally separate, resulting in a product that isn’t cohesive or as effective as you would like.



Why Emulsified Butters Need Preservatives

Once water is added to any skincare product, it raises the chance for it to become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and yeast. This is why emulsified body butters need preservatives to ensure safety and longevity. Common preservatives in cosmetics include:

  • Phenoxyethanol: A broad-spectrum preservative.

  • Optiphen: A paraben- and formaldehyde-free preservative.

While preservatives protect against microbial growth, they add extra ingredients that some consumers prefer to avoid.

Our Shea Body Butters: Pure, Waterless Formulation

At SHE Essentials, we take a different approach. Our shea body butters are crafted with high-quality butters and oils, allowing them to spread easily without the need for emulsifiers. The beauty of our waterless body butters is that they are:

  • Highly concentrated: Every ingredient serves a purpose, offering your skin maximum hydration without dilution.

  • Free from preservatives: No water means no need for massive amount of synthetic preservatives, parabens, etc., , resulting in a product that is as natural as possible.


SHE Essentials Mango Body Butter + Shea Butter jar

Mango Body Butter is a luxurious, tropical body butter formulated with rich mango butter to deeply hydrate and revitalize dry skin. Its creamy texture absorbs quickly, leaving your skin smooth and radiant with a light, tropical scent. Perfect for daily use, this body butter restores moisture and softness while helping to protect the skin’s natural barrier. Treat your skin to the tropical hydration of Mango Body Butter today.


Deeply hydrates and nourishes dry skin

Light, tropical mango scent.

Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue.

Softens and smooths skin’s texture.






Because our butters are made without water, you’re getting the full benefits of powerful ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. These oils work in harmony with your skin, penetrating deep into the layers as you massage them in. This ensures that moisture is locked in, providing long-lasting hydration.




key moisturizing ingredient in SHE Essentials shea body butter
























Why Waterless Butters Absorb Easily

Many believe that emulsified products absorb faster due to the water content, but waterless body butters—like ours—absorb deeply as they melt into your skin’s natural heat. Here’s why our butters are easily absorbed:

  • Shea butter and other oils we use are rich in fatty acids, which help to restore the skin’s moisture barrier.

  • Our butters soften and melt into the skin, providing all-day hydration without the need for water to aid in absorption.


Conclusion: No Water, No Problem!

While emulsified butters have their place in the world, our philosophy at SHE Essentials is to keep things simple. We combine nature’s finest butters and oils in their purest form, so your skin can enjoy the full long lasting, undiluted benefits of each ingredient - and you don't have to purchase products so often, because a little goes a long way!




Pro Tip: Apply our body butter right after a shower, when your skin is still damp, for the best moisture-locking results! ♥ Unpopular Opinion: Most companies opt to to add water to their formulations in order to stretch ingredients: making it easier produce products and much more cost effective to supply them.

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