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.
sara wrote on May 12, 2014
thanks Susan..
I wasn’t sure if i was doing something wrong or not while making it. this is only the 2nd time i’ve done it, and i’m thinking of body butters from the body shop etc, that were more of a lotion consistency… i was going to try a little bit of wax in my next batch, but if this is normal i’ll just play a little with the mounts of shea butter, coconut oil and almond oil and see if that helps cuts down the greasy-ness.
Cathy Brown wrote on May 11, 2014
Hi – I’m in Canada and couldn’t order the Shea butter you suggested so ordered another pure, raw one. The problem I have is the smell. Real Shea butter has a distinctive odor to it and no matter how much vanilla essential oil I put in, that smell is still there. Does the shea butter you use have that smell. Unfortunately talking to people that make these butters for a living, even they said if there isn’t that distinct smell with the shea butter you are using, it’s not pure, raw.
Sara wrote on May 9, 2014
Hi. I’m trying this now, but still seems to greasy. Is that normal, or should I be putting more Shea butter and less coconut and almond oils?
Thanks
Sara
Sara wrote on May 9, 2014
Hi. I’m trying this now, but still,seems greasy. Is that normal, or should I be putting more Shea butter and less coconut and almond oils?
Thanks
Sara
Susan wrote on May 9, 2014
Hi, Sara, It is a body butter, not a lotion. It goes on a little oily but assorts very quickly. Cheers!
Ash wrote on May 4, 2014
Faina, maybe the essential oil you used gave you an allergic reaction? Try another oil.
barbara wheate wrote on May 2, 2014
Such a simple format 50,25,25…Thank you for sharing. I’m at the ‘freezer stage’ right now after following your recipe. Looking good so far and the smell is delicious, I don’t have the need for essential oils, but I have added one square of 85 percent dark chocolate – Hope it works out ok. My home made Choc ‘n Nut Body Butter!
nicole wrote on May 1, 2014
I was wondering how many drops of each E.O. you used when you made the orange, lemon, and lavendar scented body butter? Also, if I was to do just one scent, approximately how many drops would I use? I am new to E.O.’s and just looking for some guidance! Thanks!
Tracy Rowles wrote on April 30, 2014
I tried this recipe its awesome. I used apricot oil instead of almond scented with bergamont oil and a touch of jasmine oil.
Joanna wrote on April 28, 2014
I’m curious what is the point of the double-boiler step? I make my own body butter also – I just put shea butter, coconut oil, castor oil and essential oils in a bowl and whip them with my mixer. It turns out looking just like yours and works fabulous.