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.
Dahlia wrote on October 2, 2012
Hi
Love this recipe! How long did yours end up lasting? Did it get moldy or go bad at all?
Thanks
D
Susan wrote on October 2, 2012
It lasted for over a month (I used it up) and never went bad or got mold. I believe it is the introduction of water that will cause mold. Cheers!
VANESSA wrote on October 2, 2012
great post, where do you find the jars to store them in?
Susan wrote on October 2, 2012
You can store it in any glass jar. I got the ones pictured at Crate and Barrel. Cheers!
Chianta wrote on September 28, 2012
Hi can you please tell me about how long will the product last with and without essential oils added?
Susan wrote on September 28, 2012
I have absolutely no idea. If you read the post, you will see that this is my very first attempt at body butter. It worked beautifully but I don’t have the background or knowledge in this subject to answer questions like that. Cheers!
Manon wrote on September 28, 2012
Nice !
Thanks !
Manon wrote on September 28, 2012
Hi !
I’m from Belgium and I acyually found your blog post via Pinterest. I’m trying to do my own cosmetics too. I made a similar recipe, without the whipping, hated the texture.
I just would like to know if the fluffy textures stays ?
Enormous thank you for the whipping trick, my butter is chilling waiting for the mixer !
Xx,
M
Susan wrote on September 28, 2012
Yes, it stays whipped. I love the stuff and use it all the time.
CHERYL wrote on September 27, 2012
I’M making this this evening. I pray it works as I’d love some of my own Whipped Shea Butter. It looks Decadent
Paige wrote on September 27, 2012
Hi Susan,
I have extremely sensitive skin (especially to scents and harsh chemicals) and have been plagued with contact dermatitis and eczema on my hands ever since I was about 15 (I’m 22 now) I have tried numerous brands and types of hand lotions and body butters, all of which seem to make my hands break out like crazy. After finding this recipe on Pinterest and giving it a shot, I am happy to say that this raw body butter has totally changed the look and feel of my hands.
Instead of being cracked and red they are now smooth and supple, a long awaited change for me. I left out the essential oils and just opted for the natural creamy smell that accompanies the finished product.
Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks so much for posting this recipe, you are a life saver!!!!
🙂
Susan wrote on September 27, 2012
Paige….thanks so much for letting me know. This was my first attempt at a body butter and I actually love it too!!
monica wrote on September 26, 2012
This sounds great, I only have a doubt, can you switch the coconut oil for another type solid oil or butter, such as olive butter or orange, etc.?
Thanks a lot
Kathy Davis wrote on September 26, 2012
Do you use “sweet” almond oil? Or just almond oil? Are there other carrier oils that you think would work instead of the almond oil? (ie meadowfoam oil, hempseed oil or jojoba to name a few). Lastly, have you ever tried with other butters like cocoa or mango? Just curious:) I want to try your recipe so i’m seeing what (if any) substitutions i could make based on ingredients I already have. Thanks!!