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.
Carolern77 wrote on February 14, 2014
Oh my gosh, I love my body butter. I followed your recipe to the T and it came out wonderful. I already had coconut oil in my kitchen and pure raw shea body in my bathroom. I use that stuff daily. I had to buy some sweet almond oil and essential oils. I used calendula and a chai body oil made from essential oils and it smells yummy. I’m putting it on my hands before I can even get it in the jars. I can’t stop smelling myself. Thanks for a great recipe. Do you have anything for lip balm?
Susan wrote on February 17, 2014
No lip balm yet but a book coming soon!
Shannon wrote on February 10, 2014
I made this today and it is fantastic!!!! I used lemon and rosemary essential oils. Will be making more tomorrow as valentine’s gifts.
Robbi wrote on February 9, 2014
I am making this now and have to admit it smells horrid! I am assuming its because I am new to the raw shea and essential oils – but will it smell like something I will want to use after whipping??
Susan wrote on February 9, 2014
If it smells horrid, you probably have bad shea butter. They do go rancid. I would return it.
Susan wrote on February 9, 2014
Robbi, Sure!
Connie S wrote on February 9, 2014
Hi, I made mine for a Christmas present for my two daughters and grandaughter and had enough left over for myself. Body butter came out perfect. When it came to figuring out the 25 to 75 ratio I was stumped for a while. Been a long time since school! 🙂
Kathy wrote on February 8, 2014
This stuff is amazing. I made the first batch for Christmas present to save some money. Everyone loved it and they are demanding more…. it came out perfectly, the extreme cold is good for chilling it on the porch. Thanks for this recipe!
Therese M wrote on February 7, 2014
I made this tonight and am absolutely delighted! One thing I did differently – by accident – was to put the almond oil in at the same time as the shea butter and coconut oil rather than adding it after the first two ingredients were melted and cooled. It still worked fine. I put the mixture in the freezer for about 15 minutes and then started whipping it. It didn’t set up so I returned it to the freezer for another 5 minutes or so. Success! I’m really, really pleased with the result. Makes my skin very soft but isn’t greasy. I used rosemary, peppermint essential oil, and coconut essential oil.
Susan wrote on February 7, 2014
Sounds like a wonderful combination, Therese!
Chris wrote on February 7, 2014
This looks wonderful, and can’t wait to try making some! Just a thought for Rini and Megan — some essential oils react differently with the carrier oils. Perhaps you used one that solidified the butter, or caused it not to set? You may need to experiment a bit with your ratios, or make sure to use essential oils that don’t cause a reaction. Check internet for more research, and good luck! Have fun!