Several of the most decadent pleasures are those that temper guilt with built-in benefits - - think massages for tension relief or red wine for heart health. However, there is a cream that comes guilt-free - - namely, creamy all-natural body butter, which has sinfully rich components working overtime to soothe your skin.

It is known that shea butter and cocoa butter are able to hydrate the skin by forming a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss in dry, winter environments. The same is true for butters and oils extracted from the Hawaiian kukui nut and the mango seed. Once these are combined with other wholesome ingredients, they become the perfect cold-weather remedy for rough, dry skin.

The secret of how body butter helps the skin lies in the emollient seed and nut oils that form the base of each blend. The oils are produced by first cold-pressing or grinding the seeds or the nut kernels,  and then cooking the remaining mixture until the oils and fat are released. (A quick caution for anyone with allergies - If eating mangoes or nuts affects you, avoid skin-care products with high concentrations of their oils.)

We list below the best of the butters: shea, kukui, mango and cocoa.

Shea Nut
Shea butter is made from the fruit of the shea (karite) tree, which is 100 percent organic; the trees, indigenous to West Central Africa, grow wild without the use of chemical pesticides. Evidence also suggests that shea butter, which contains cinnamic-acid esters, may provide some UVB protection along with its skin-smoothing benefits.

Kukui Nut
The kukui tree is Hawaii's state tree. Its nuts have been used for centuries--in fact, the oil extracted from the kukui nut's kernel was originally used to light primitive lamps. Today it's added to body butter because of its high concentration of essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E.

Mango
Known as the "apple of the tropics," the mango is an Asian native that thrives in Southern California. The fruit of the tree, which has a waxy, smooth skin and sweet flavor, contains seeds that are cold-pressed to produce mango butter, which is rich in beta carotene and vitamins A and E.

Cocoa
Grinding the seeds theobroma cacao plant (more commonly known as cocoa beans) releases cocoa butter. It's a key ingredients in the making of chocolate bars, which could explain the addictive quality of these body balms. Cocoa butter is loaded with antioxidants and countless nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and iron.