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.
Gaylene wrote on April 15, 2013
I just received all the stuff to make this wonderful looking body butter. I am so excited to try it. I did order my shea butter from the site that was suggested and it smells wonderful and is a very pale yellow. I will make sure when I order more that I used the same person so the quality is not compromised. I love it when people actually give us a link to what products they actually order. Thank you Susan for sharing this with us. Will post a pic once mine is made! 🙂
Amber wrote on April 13, 2013
Where do I pick them up n are they all natural?
Amber wrote on April 12, 2013
Could raw raspberry juice be used as a way to add scents to my body butter? I have recently developed sensitivities to manufactured fragrances so trying to make all natural.
Thank you,
Amber
Susan wrote on April 12, 2013
I wouldn’t do that. First, raw raspberry juice doesn’t have enough fragrance to scent the body butter. Second, it will go bad quickly. Have you tried essential oils?
Susan wrote on April 12, 2013
Why can’t you use yellow shea butter? I used African Sheas Butter form the Coop and my final results were a bit yellow but I don’t mind.
Melissa wrote on April 11, 2013
Amber Nicole: I received bright yellow shea butter the 2nd time I ordered it. I used the link Susan provided from Amazon both times. The first time, it was beautiful shea, but not the 2nd. I called Amazon (after returning it) and found out I ordered from a different vendor the 2nd time. My first order shipped from Halaleveryday. Make sure when you order from Susan’s link that this is the vendor who is shipping it to you….I did not know realize other vendors shipped or that the shea would be different. Also, it comes in a plastic bag, but I store the rest in an airtight container in addition to the bag to keep it fresh. Hope that helps.
kim wrote on April 10, 2013
i just wanted you to know that i LOVE your recipe and the photos to help along the way! I posted a blog about shea butter and linked your recipe to it this morning on my blog. hope you don’t mind… 🙂
have a super day!!!!
kim
Kristen wrote on April 9, 2013
Is there another solid that I can substitute for coconut oil? I have been using some in a body scrub, but midway through the day I am itchy and dry. Maybe the combo of the shea and almond will counteract the coconut? Or can I use all shea butter? Thanks (itchy in seattle)
Tami wrote on April 9, 2013
do you have a suggested replacement for the almond oil? My son is allergic to tree nuts so I’d like to try a nut-free version. Thanks!
Susan wrote on April 9, 2013
Any liquid oil will work. 🙂
Billie wrote on April 9, 2013
Exciting news and a bit of info for anyone who might be thinking of remelting a bad attempt ! (bit silly I find this really exciting) I re-melted the whipped butter, added more sweet almond oil, cooled it down and re-whipped! Voila! Perfect consistency!