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.
Debra Andersohn wrote on December 10, 2012
I used cocoa butter instead of the coconut oil because I didn’t have any and it came out amazing!
Beautiful either way. Giving as Christmas gifts.
Thx
Courtney wrote on December 7, 2012
Thank you so much for your post! I had gotten this recipe from a friend and couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t whipping like it should. I almost threw it away, but I got on the Internet and found your page. I did what you suggested and put my batch in the freezer for 20 minutes and it whipped terrific! Thank you so very much now my mom has a wonderful jar of body butter for Christmas! Thank you!
Donna wrote on December 7, 2012
I made this once and it was great but my Shea butter also smelled a little rancid. I had to put in a lot of lavender oil to finally mask that smell. I also think its kind of greasy on the skin and I’m going to try it with less almond oil.
Susan wrote on December 7, 2012
You want to be careful to keep the ratios for the oils the same for it to work. It does go on a little oily but it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling wonderful.
Donna wrote on December 7, 2012
Does it have to be melted in a double boiler? What if you just heated it on low? Anyone tried this?
Shelly wrote on December 7, 2012
If you’ve already mixed this up, but decide to add essential oils after…Can I add smelly stuff and remix?
Susan wrote on December 7, 2012
Remixing is a little tough. It can not set-up properly.
Amanda wrote on December 6, 2012
Did anyone else have a problem with the smell of their shea butter? I bought organic raw shea butter on amazon, and I am really not a fan of the smell. It is kind of a super sweet, musty smell, and very strong. I put like 30 drops of Jasmine EO in my butter, and all I can smell is the shea. I love the butter other than that, though I think I over-mixed it a little. Mine came out super fluffy and full of bubbles! Today I’m going to try a half batch with lavender EO (maybe the stronger oil will mask the shea smell), and less mixing. Thanks for the recipe!
Laurel wrote on December 5, 2012
Works fine with a hand mixer. Done it twice.
Matt wrote on December 5, 2012
Just made this last night. Used a hand whisk, which worked great, and literally whipped it up in 1 minute! The secret is to freeze the oils to just the right hardness, which happens in 5-15 minutes. I had to remelt the small leftover bit that was like wax. Used 1 part Jojoba, 1 part Coconut, and 2 parts Shea
Ann wrote on December 4, 2012
Thank you so much for this recipe. I will try my first batch this weekend. I use Mountain Rose Herbs for all of my “organic” oils, butters, scents, etc… They also carry a wide variety of jars and containers. I get chapstick tubes there as well and make my own chapstick.