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.
Kathy wrote on September 18, 2016
How can you send it to some one without it melting in the mail?
Darci Michaels wrote on September 14, 2016
Just made my first batch. HOLY MOLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It worked amazing well. Thank you for your detailed instructions. I can’t wait to make more. Gotta tell ya, this sure made a lot plus it whipped up and thickened like whipping cream. I’m loving this.
Pam wrote on October 9, 2016
Me too! This is the best body butter I’ve ever used. Including expensive brands. And I love being able to scent it myself.
Susan wrote on September 15, 2016
So glad you like it, Darci!
erica wrote on September 13, 2016
Hello,
Made my first batch it everything went well, but it seems very quick to melt when i touch it and seems very oily.
Help.
Susan wrote on September 14, 2016
This is a body butter made from oils. It is not a lotion. It does absorb quickly into your skin. Cheers!
Zanne Rose wrote on December 22, 2016
Adding 5-10 drops of cyclomethicone (a silicone-based lubricant widely used in hair and body products) seems to make my version less greasy and absorb ten times faster than the same recipe without. It comes out like whipped frosting. I weigh out 2 parts shea butter, 1 part coconut oil, and 1 part whatever liquid oil you choose (I generally use grape seed). There are two key ratios in making this: first, 1:1 butter to oil, and second, 3:1 solid to liquid (at room temperature). I wouldn’t put in any additives in until after the refreezing stage.
arron wrote on August 19, 2016
I know this recipe has been here a bit but can i replace the shea butter with all coconut oil?
Mys wrote on August 29, 2016
You cannot. She’s is considered a solid and coconut oil is a considered a liquid. So your lotion would come out extremly oily
Michael wrote on August 19, 2016
Hey there! I just tried out this wonderful recipe and it was great. Everything went well, smelt great, was creamy/whippy and was very simple to make. Only problem I had with it was that it is still really oily when i run it into my skin. I tried a new batch using less oil, then a another new batch using even less oil. This is where it gets confusing… each time I used less oil, the end product seemed more oily! Any idea what is going on or how i can get a less oily end result?
Teresa wrote on September 10, 2016
Use it consistently for about a month. It’s a butter which even commercial filled with chemicals go on oily. Remember a small amount goes a long way. If all you’ve used is commercial products it will take some time. Eventually your body will start absorbing it really quickly. I’ve played with this recipe a lot in the last two years. My personal favorite has beeswax as a small part of the solids. Helps skin retain moisture. Lol I also live in Texas which means my sweat beads up if I put it on in the summer. I’ve also learned my skin likes grapeseed oil over almond oil. My skin has been absolutely loving the all natural chemical free trend. Completely worth the initial cost and all the experimenting. I personally encourage experimenting to find what your skin likes best just make sure to give it a month before you decide. 🙂
Susan wrote on August 22, 2016
Hi, Michael, It does go on a little oily because it is a butter, not a lotion. But it does absorb quickly. Cheers!
Kemi wrote on August 15, 2016
I know this article is old but can i replace the solid coconut oil with liquid? If yes at which point should i incorporate? Thanks alot
Susan wrote on August 15, 2016
Hi, Kemi, No, that won’t work. You need to replace a solid with a solid. Cheersi
Stacy Kronner wrote on August 10, 2016
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I have been using it for over a year now! I appreciate all the extra information and helpful tips along the process, including the ratios of liquid to solid. I have had success substituting Vitamin E Oil and Calendula oil for some of the jojba oil. I love that I can name all the ingredients!
Abigail wrote on August 8, 2016
Can you substitute jojoba oil for the almond oil?
Kristy wrote on July 16, 2016
Great recipe, I followed it exactly and got wonderful results! I have been making body butter for a while now but usually just whip shea butter, almond oil, and vitamin E in my mixer without heating–I still get a great butter this way but it takes much more work to rub into my skin. Doing it the rawmazing way has resulted in a butter that is super easy to apply, the butter is airy and fluffy– absolutely perfect. It’s simple to make and the result is a chemical free and very effective body moisturizer.