By Akili King ·Updated March 3, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

In an industry with an overwhelming amount of product launches daily, The Empties Edit helps you cut through the noise. To help you find your new beauty and wellness favorites, this series highlights the tried-and-true products our writers constantly empty out and re-up on.

If you live in NYC I know for a fact you’d agree this winter has been rough. Luckily, temperatures are soon looking up. But it’s safe to say the season took a toll on us in one way or another: be it seasonal blues, feeling frustrated with the constant snow, or dry, dehydrated skin that won’t seem to find relief. For me, the latter has been especially true. The cold harsh winds, mixed with the dry synthetic heaters from the indoors has left my skin feeling stripped and irritated.

As you can imagine, I’ve been using many dermatologist recommended brands like Eucerin, Cetaphil, and CeraVe. And even Vaseline and Aquaphor, which are great occlusives to seal in moisture. While I’m a big fan of these drugstore brands, I’m also really into alternative products that deliver similar results with more natural ingredients. Especially because, although great, some folks can be irritated by petroleum or lanolin, especially if prone to eczema. But, of course, everyone is different!

Regardless, when I recently came across Butter’d Skincare’s Helly Jelly Non-Petroleum Skin Jelly, I was extremely excited to try it out. Not only does it deliver similar occlusive effects as the aforementioned brands, it is also jam-packed with nature’s finest ingredients. Think: everything from Aloe Vera and Castor Oil to Vitamin E.

And did I mention the product is Black-owned? The founder, Brittany Bygrave, as she tells me, was inspired to create the product because she faced bullying for dry skin as a kid—ultimately leading to the Helly Jelly hero product. And with it, what you see is truly what you get. No guessing games. No frills. No hard-to-pronounce ingredients. Just intentionality wrapped up in cute packaging.

As for my routine including the Helly Jelly, after showering, I like to apply my body cream of choice. Right now, it’s the Vanicream Cream from head-to-toe, while my skin is still wet, for better moisture absorption. I warned you my skin has been abnormally dry! Sometimes I will pat dry with a towel, and other times I straight up air dry, depending on how much moisture I feel like I’m in need of. As my skin is drying, or once it’s fully dry, I apply Helly Jelly on top to really seal the deal. I also use the product on my face in dry areas (right now, especially around my eyes and chin area). I’m left feeling like my skin is retaining much-needed hydration, less irritated, and supple and smooth—just the way I like it.

While currently this is the only product I’ve tried from the brand, they also have body oil, body cream, and more. And obviously I’m patiently waiting to see what they will do next. Because, if you can’t tell already, I’m a real fan. For now, you can find the product not only on their website, but also on our very own WeLoveUs.Shop site. Thank me later!

TOPICS:  The Empties Edit

The post The Empties Edit: Why I Re-Up On This Petroleum-Free Skin Jelly appeared first on Essence.

Author: Akili King

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