When you think “body butter,” you imagine rich, luxurious textures that melt into the skin. But if you’re formulating for humid climates (hello Nigeria!) that same buttery richness can turn into a greasy, sticky nightmare.

We all know texture isn’t just aesthetics, it’s how your customer decides if they’ll ever repurchase. The struggle is balancing nourishing butters with a finish that feels breathable and comfortable, even when humidity is at 90%.

As formulators and DIY cosmetic makers, your challenge is this: How do you choose the right butters that moisturize deeply but don’t suffocate the skin in sticky weather?

This guide will help you:

• Master the art of choosing (and working with) butters that behave beautifully in humid climates.
• Understand why some butters flop in sticky climates.
• Learn formulation hacks to keep your products stable, light, and glide friendly.

 

Why Butters Act Differently in Humid Weather

Humidity affects two major factors in skincare perception:

1. Skin’s Moisture Levels → In humid climates, skin already has higher surface hydration, so occlusive butters can feel too heavy.
2. Absorption Rate → The thicker the butter, the longer it lingers, which can cause that dreaded sticky or greasy sensation.

This is why not all butters are created equal for humid weather formulations.

Best Butters for Humid Weather (and Why They Work)

Here’s your cheat sheet to lightweight, breathable butters that your customers will love in tropical, coastal, or rainy climates:

1. Mango Butter – The Lightweight Classic

Shop Mango Butter here

Mango butter is a formulator’s go-to for humid weather because of its non-greasy, fast-absorbing texture. It conditions skin without the heaviness of shea.

Perfect for: whipped body butters, lotions, and facial balms.

Formulator tip: Pair with light esters or fractionated coconut oil to make it even silkier.

2. Cupuaçu Butter – The Humidity Hero

Shop Cupuaçu Butter here

Cupuaçu is famous for its water absorption capacity (it can hold up to 440% of its weight in water!), making it ideal for hydrating products in humid climates. It gives a rich yet breathable feel.

Formulator tip: Great in emulsions and hair care products that need anti-frizz and moisture retention.

3. Kokum Butter – The Hard but Non-Greasy Option

Shop Kokum Butter here

Kokum butter is firm, stable, and non-comedogenic,  ideal for humid-weather balms that need structure without clogging pores. It melts nicely on contact but won’t leave that heavy residue.

Formulator tip: Blend with softer butters to balance hardness in whipped butters.

4. Illipe Nut Butter – Long-Lasting Conditioning

Shop Illipe Nut Butter here

Illipe is like the underrated cousin of cocoa butter, deeply conditioning, rich in stearic and oleic acids, but with a smoother, less waxy after-feel.

Customers will love that it moisturizes without that “film” feeling in hot, sticky air.

Formulator tip: Perfect in body butters and lip balms for lasting softness.

5. Avocado Butter – Soft, Nourishing & Spreadable

Shop Avocado Butter here

Avocado butter brings in essential fatty acids and vitamins while remaining soft and spreadable. It gives a nourishing feel without weighing the formula down.

Formulator tip: Works beautifully in facial creams and after-sun care for humid climates.

6. Almond Butter – The Silky Midweight

Shop Almond Butter here

Almond butter sits right in the middle: not too heavy, not too light. It’s excellent in body creams and hair butters, giving slip and conditioning without greasiness.

Formulator tip: Combine with mango butter to create a balanced body butter base for humid climates.

7. Murumuru Butter – Slip + Shine Without the Grease

Shop Murumuru Butter here

Murumuru has a unique profile that adds slip, shine, and barrier support without being overly occlusive. It’s especially loved in hair care formulations for humid environments because it helps with frizz control while keeping strands soft.

Formulator tip: Great in styling creams, conditioners, and lightweight body butters.

 

 

Butters That Can Be Tricky in Humid Weather

• Cocoa Butter: Stable but can feel too heavy and greasy in humid climates. Best used in smaller percentages or blended with lighter butters.
• Traditional Shea Butter (West African): Can feel sticky/greasy in humid environments. Works better when whipped with lighter oils.
• Tucuma Butter: Beautiful for rich balms but can feel heavy on skin in tropical humidity.

 

Texture Comparison Table

Butter	Texture Weight	Absorption Speed	After-Feel	Climate Suitability
Mango	Lightweight	Fast	Soft, non-greasy	Excellent for humid
Cupuacu	Lightweight	Fast	Silky, breathable	Excellent for humid
Kokum	Light–Medium	Medium–Fast	Dry-touch, smooth	Excellent for humid
Almond	Lightweight	Fast	Conditioning, soft	Great for humid
Illipe Nut	Medium	Medium	Smooth, not greasy	Good for humid
Murumuru	Lightweight	Fast	Silky, non-sticky	Excellent for humid
Avocado	Medium	Medium–Fast	Creamy, balanced feel	Good for humid

 

 

 

 

 

Formulation Hacks for Humid Weather Butters

1. Blend heavy with light: Pair heavier butters like cocoa or traditional shea with mango, kokum, or cupuaçu for balance.
2. Add esters or silicones (if not strictly natural): For a dry-touch finish, ingredients like isopropyl myristate (IPM) or coco-caprylate can cut greasiness.
3. Whip with care: Over-whipping introduces air, which collapses faster in humidity. Keep it stable.
4. Use powder additives: Arrowroot, tapioca starch or silica to reduce greasy feel.
5. Mind the melting point: Choose butters that won’t melt during shipping or storage in hot weather.
6. Use Butters in Lower Percentages → In humid climates, 3–5% butter in emulsions can go a long way.
7. Think in Layers → Customers in humid areas prefer lighter products they can layer (serums → lotions → light balm). Formulate accordingly.
8. Experiment with Murumuru or Illipe → These give structure without the sticky residue some heavier butters leave behind.

 

Finally, the secret to formulating for humid weather isn’t avoiding butters ,  it’s choosing the right ones and blending strategically.

Look for:

• Lightweight absorption(mango, almond, murumuru)
• Moisture retention without heaviness(cupuaçu, avocado)
• Structure without greasiness(kokum, illipe)

By working with these butters, you can create skincare and haircare products that feel breathable, glide on easily, and still deliver deep conditioning even in the stickiest climates.

Want to experiment with these butters in your next formula? Browse our full range of premium butters at Skin Foodie and start crafting products your customers will love to touch.

Still struggling with textures that feel too greasy, sticky, or unstable?  DOWNLOAD our butters_comparison_table, a quick-reference guide for working with butters in humid climates.