Homemade Body Butter Recipe
I made my first batch of body butter today. I think my life has changed forever. Delightful, decadent and easy, I have wanted to try making it for a long time. I was convinced that it would be difficult and not work the way I wanted. Boy, was I wrong.
I love creamy body butters. Living in a climate that gets quite cold and dry in the winter, they are a must in my house. But two things have always bothered me. They can be quite expensive and also, full of ingredients that are less than desirable for your skin and health.
We often forget that our skin is the largest organ on our body and absorbs what we put on it. If you are using lotions and body butters with chemicals in them (fragrances, preservatives, color additives, etc.) be aware that your skin absorbs the chemicals, too. Not exactly desirable. I often just use almond oil on my skin after a shower but sometimes I want something a little more decadent. Body butters, made with pure oils and essential oils for fragrance are just the thing.
I called my friend Jen Vertanen, who writes the blog, “The Wholehearted Life”, knowing that she has spent years playing with recipes for home made soaps and lotions and asked her opinion on ingredients. She told me to use 75% solid to 25% liquid oil. Sounded easy enough.
I measured out shea butter (I use this shea butter: organic raw shea butter
I wanted to use rosemary as one of my scents. I didn’t have any rosemary essential oil so I added fresh rosemary as the oils were cooling. I also stirred in the almond oil at this point. Once the oil was cool, I strained out the rosemary, added peppermint (just a few drops, it is strong) and sweet orange essential oils and tried to whip the butter as instructed in other body recipes that I had researched. Nothing happened. I was about to give up and just let the oil harden when I had an idea.
I placed the oil mixture outside (it’s cold…it’s Minnesota) and let it partially set up. At that point, I tried whipping it again in the kitchen aid mixer and, success! A beautiful body butter, so simple to make, smelling delicious and with a texture that was like clouds of silk.
*Because of the popularity of this recipe on pinterest, I am getting many, many questions that are more suited for an expert. This is a raw food site, this was my first attempt at body butter, it worked better than I could have hoped for and if you make this recipe as stated, it will work great for you too!! I am sorry but I can’t answer the technical questions. Cheers!*
IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR BODY BUTTER WHIPPING: you probably rushed this step. It needs to be cooled significantly….like in the picture.
I have to admit, I am pretty excited at how easy it is to make. I used sweet orange, lemon and lavender in my second batch. Heavenly. You can just use the basic recipe and add your favorite essential oils. Just make sure they are skin friendly!
A few people have asked about jars. I use these: Weck Jars
TIPS: PLEASE READ!
- You can use what ever oils you wish, just make sure you keep the ratio 75% solid to 25% liquid. SO IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED OILS, JUST REPLACE THEM WITH AN OIL THAT YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO. Just make sure you replace a solid for a solid and a liquid for a liquid.
- The chilling step is crucial. If you don’t chill it properly, it won’t whip or stay whipped. About 20 minutes in the freezer usually does the trick for this batch. Make sure you scrape down the sides before mixing.
- Since this recipe does not contain any water, it will not mold. You should keep in a cool place but it does not have to be refrigerated.
- I do not know the exact shelf life but I know it will keep at least a few months, plus.
- The body butter melts as it goes on and gets a little oily but absorbs beautifully, quickly and leaves your skin very soft.
- You can order the shea butter here: Raw Shea Butter
You can order the coconut oil here: Coconut Oil
You can order the almond oil here: Almond Oil
You can order the Weck Jars here: Weck Jars
Alternatively, coconut oil and almond oil are quite easy to locate at your local coop, Whole Foods or health food store.
- This recipe has been tested many times. If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the same results.
- Many people ask for exact amounts of essential oils. I start with at least 20 drops of what ever oil I want to use and just increase slowly until I am happy with how it smells. So…be free! Use your own creativity here.
Body Butter
MAKES 2 1/2 to 3 CUPS WHIPPED BUTTER
- 1 cup organic raw shea butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil (solid)
- 1/2 cup almond oil (liquid)
- Melt shea butter and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
- Stir in almond oil and essential oils of your choosing.*
- Place oil mixture in freezer or outside to chill.
- Wait until oils start to partially solidify (see photo) then whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
- Place in clean, glass jar and enjoy! A little goes a long way.
*Not all essential oils are skin friendly or child friendly. Please do your research before adding.
Lisa wrote on April 27, 2016
I made it today and the final product is kinda crumbly. Did I leave in freezer to long and not get whipped good. It looked good while I was whipping but then crumbly. Still works great! Any ideas on what I could do different next time. I used all the same things as listed.
sindhu wrote on April 24, 2016
hiii…
i have one doubt… the place i live is hot and coconut oil will also be in liquid state in our place becouse of the hot climate….
then should i consider coconut oil as liquid base
Paula wrote on April 23, 2016
Trying this tonight with cocoa butter instead of the Shea as I llove the smell. Hoping it turns out!
Wavinya wrote on April 20, 2016
Hi, this recipe is fantastic, thank you. I would just like to add that Shea butter is different depending on the source. The more rare East African Shea is very creamy and you do not have to melt it as it melts at room temperature so you can whip it directly with coconut, castor and almond oil and essential oil or rose water for a divine body butter. In case you want to try it, contact Nubian Gold Shea Butter on Facebook and they can post it to you where ever you are. It has done wonders for me!
Betty Burkholder wrote on April 14, 2016
What
Betty Burkholder wrote on April 14, 2016
Great information. Thanks
Nora wrote on April 7, 2016
Okay so I tried this and I like it. HOWEVER, I would like to to be more buttery (its a bit hard) and to smell stronger.
I was wondering if I can repeat the process and add extra liquid oils and some more essential oils?
This is how I would go about it: re-melt in double boiler ( I usually just dip in hot water) add stuff (almond oil and more essentials) re-freeze and re-whip.
Any Thoughts?
Sharon Taylor wrote on April 4, 2016
I love how easy this recipe is and have been playing with it for months. I love in the tropics and it separates.
Do you have a suggestion on how to not have it do this?
Thanks in advance for your response!
Always Sharon
Cat wrote on April 7, 2016
Coconut oil has a very low melting point. You could sub the coconut nut oil for more shae, or use cocoa butter in place of the coconut oil.
I’ve also heard bees wax can thicken things up..
valerie wrote on April 3, 2016
Is there other ways l can melt the butter. Can l put it in saucepan to melt.
Shelcey wrote on March 25, 2016
Hi! I m interested in making my own butter. I am suffering from eczema of the face/neck/shoulders and arms. Would this recipe be sufficient or does anyone have any suggestions?
Brenda wrote on May 1, 2016
Try frankincense. I use it for everything. It even cuts healing time on bruises in half. It’s really a miracle oil.
Jen wrote on April 6, 2016
Neem oil is very good for eczema so perhaps using that as half of your almond oil would work well. I also have very dry skin and this body butter works well for me. One note about neem oil, it has a strong odor so you need to add EOs that can help mask it (lavender, rose, geranium) good luck!!!
Lesley wrote on April 3, 2016
I have just finished reading about an herb, “Chickweed” for one and “Horsetail or *Shavegrass” both were very highly regarded for skin disorders and they had done the clinical trials and done the science behind them. The Brittish now use these as ways to manage skin problems, in different formats also as in making. Herbal “Packs” and specifically using in a Balm form. Infusing the herbs in an oil. Stove top method – VERY LOW HEAT double boiler style also . My. Rose Herbs has a wonderful Calendula Balm DIY recioe , only adding organic beeswax and VitE along with essential oils if your choice. If trying to manage eczema or other specific problem. I would reserarch the EO for that condition , find out which EOs are most effective, then use those in your balm as well. VERY easy and actually very fun! Did I mention effective? As with all things organic, the possibilities are endless! A wonderful world to research! Amazing! The carrier oil you use to infuse into also has its prime benefits and properties, so I always find the best carrier oil to use as well. Maybe OCD lol quite possibly ! When I am making it to heal or treat a specific problem I read from **A (Being the Herbs I choose , the carrier oil , oils or Butters, to **B. the last ingredient which would be stirring in the right essential oil •~• A SUPER HERO ,CUSTOMIZED TREATMENT WHAMMIE •~•~•~• to the nasty offender bothering your skin!!! Twice in my life and fairly recently, I’ve had the most horrid boils on my hands!!! I have always exhausted research , then the making of •••is placed upon all Of my groups of Nature & Faith are called upon a to please make them heal whatever is distracting me from typically “Doing what I Do”….&. Happy to report that all SEVEN nasty huge
Dime sized invaders (lol)
Were happily blown to SMITHERINGS!!!!! Within 4 days!!! Nothing to me short of a Miracle!!! 🙂
I also did my son of 25 warts on one of his hands when he was a very little one, I didn’t want him to suffer the way I had when only having 2 removed , well, I couldn’t imagine what that would feel like on that previous sensitive skin! Within 2 short weeks and doing quick treatments twice a day, HELLO! They were GONE to all of our (New to Natures Healing Powers ) delight ! I’m thankful believe me when I say….. This isn’t silliness as some would like to make you feel. No. It’s powerful “Medicine” and all we need to do is discover the appropriate way to treat them and with al of our wonderful resources these days it really is very easy! Good luck! And Happy Reading! You’ll learn so many other things along the Merry Way! Cheers!
HerbalMama wrote on April 2, 2016
I am going to make an excema cream with infused calendula, plantain, goldenseal, and echinacea,with Myrrh and vitamin e EO. I’ve been reading recipes and those were suggestions.
Tammie wrote on March 28, 2016
yes this is a great recipe. You can use organic cocoa butter too but unrefined raw shea is so healing for your skin. This recipe is much better than anything you can get already put together and it will indeed last many months. If your shea was fresh, it could honestly last several years.
HerbalMama wrote on April 2, 2016
Will infused goldenseal stain if it is part of an infused oil in the lotion?
Elena wrote on March 27, 2016
Hi Shelcey, I used to have eczema on my left hand. To cure it, I changed my diet, stopped letting cleaning chemical product touch on my skin, and I began to apply calendula oil on the eczema all times.
About the diet, I stopped to eat saturated fat, sugar, meat, milk, and eggs. I also increase the amount of raw vegetables, legumes, whole grains. Avoiding milk and eggs made a huge difference with my problem. I replaced milk with almond or oats milks (don’t drink soy milk). Replaced sugar with carob, date sugar, agave, or honey. Besides the diet, I started to be more careful with cleaning chemical product touching my skin (any part of my body) such as detergent. When I wash the dish, I always use gloves.
With all these changes, I stopped getting new eczema on my hand, and my old ones started to decrease in size. It took some weeks for the eczema disappears, but it did.
It took me a lot of time research and effort to change my diet, but it was worth it. I was freaking tired of eczema, and now I am glad that I don’t have it anymore.
Ahh, I almost forgot, try to reduce stress, which severe even more the problem.
Good luck!
Theresa wrote on April 10, 2016
Hi. I would like to make this using designer scented perfume oils. Do you recommend a place to buy the oils? Also can I add vitamin E to this recipe? Thanks
Theresa
Theresa wrote on April 10, 2016
Also, I see that this post was started in 2012. Do you still use this recipe and make as often? I’m just curious. Thanks!
Susan wrote on April 10, 2016
Yes, we make it all the time. 🙂