Whether you’re looking to pamper dry winter skin or achieve a natural glow, homemade body butter is an easy and affordable way to nourish your skin from head to toe. And believe me, once you experience the hydrating benefits of crafting your own all-natural moisturizer, you’ll be hooked! With just a few inexpensive ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils, you can whip up a batch of emollient elixir right in your kitchen. So grab your whisk and get ready to reveal radiant, restored skin faster than you can say “exfoliate”! In this blog post, I’ll walk you through DIY body butter recipe that’s perfect for smoothing on after a shower.
Ready? Let’s go!
What is Body Butter?
Body butter is a thick, creamy moisturizer made with natural oils, butters, and waxes. It’s used to deeply hydrate and nourish your skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and elastic. Body butter is normally thicker and richer than other moisturizers, like lotions and creams. This is due to its higher concentration of oils and butters, which create a protective barrier on the skin that helps lock in moisture. This makes it an ideal choice for dry, rough, or sensitive skin.
Some benefits of Body Butter
- Deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin.
- Helps to protect the skin from dryness and irritation.
- Can help to improve the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
- Leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
- Can be used on all skin types.
Body butter can be used on any part of the body, but it’s especially beneficial for areas that tend to get dry, such as the elbows, knees, and feet.
In addition to the above, here are some tips for using body butter:
- Apply body butter to clean, damp skin.
- Use a small amount and massage it into the skin until it’s absorbed.
- Reapply as needed, especially after showering or bathing.
With its many benefits, Body butter is a great addition to any skincare routine.
How do you make your own body butter?
Making your own body butter is a fun and easy way to get exactly what you want in a moisturizer. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite scents and colors. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (optional)
What supplies do you need for body butter?
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
- Mixing bowl
- Mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer)
- Airtight container for storage
Instructions:
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Melt the shea butter and coconut oil: Place the shea butter and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth.
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Remove from heat and stir in the sweet almond oil: Once melted, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sweet almond oil.
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Add essential oil (optional): If using essential oils, add them now and stir to combine.
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Let the mixture cool and solidify: Pour the mixture into a bowl and let it cool completely. This can take several hours, or you can place it in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
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Whip the mixture: Once cool and solidified, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the mixture until it is light and fluffy.
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Store in an airtight container: Store your body butter in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It will keep for several months.
Tips:
- You can use any type of oil you like in your body butter, but shea butter, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil are all good choices.
- You can add other ingredients to your body butter, such as cocoa butter, mango butter, or beeswax.
- If you find your body butter is too thick, you can add a little more liquid oil to thin it out.
- If your body butter is too thin, you can store it in the refrigerator for a few minutes to help it firm up.
- Body butter will typically last for several months.
- Experiment with different essential oils to find a scent you like.
- Body butter is a great gift for friends and family.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when making your own body butter:
- Temperature: It’s important to make sure that the shea butter and coconut oil are completely melted before adding the sweet almond oil. If the mixture is too cold, the oils will not combine properly and the body butter will be grainy.
- Whipping: The whipping process is what gives the body butter its light and fluffy texture. Be patient and continue whipping until the mixture is light and airy.
- Storage: Body butter should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. This will help to prevent it from melting or getting spoilt.
In addition to the above, below are some additional recipes for body butter that you might enjoy:
- Simple Whipped Body Butter: This recipe uses just three ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil.
- Whipped Body Butter with Lavender: This recipe adds lavender essential oil for a calming scent.
- Whipped Body Butter with Citrus: This recipe uses a blend of citrus essential oils for an uplifting scent.
What oils to put in body butter?
There are some key ingredients that are typically used to create it. These include:
#1 Oils
These are the liquid ingredients in body butter and provide the base for the product. Popular oil choices include:
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Shea butter
Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, it deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin.
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Cocoa butter
Offers a natural chocolate scent and is known for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Coconut oil
This readily absorbed oil provides long-lasting hydration and has antimicrobial benefits.
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Sweet almond oil
Gentle and lightweight, it’s ideal for sensitive skin and leaves a soft, smooth finish.
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Jojoba oil
Mimics the skin’s natural sebum and can help regulate oil production.
#2 Butters
These are solid ingredients that add a luxurious texture and richness to body butter. Some commonly used butters include:
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Shea butter
Already mentioned as an oil, it also lends its solid form for a thicker consistency.
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Mango butter
Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it provides deep hydration and promotes skin elasticity.
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Cocoa butter
Again, cocoa butter contributes to both the liquid and solid components of body butter.
#3 Waxes
These add stability and help the body butter retain its shape. Some popular waxes include:
Natural and safe, it helps thicken the body butter and create a protective barrier on the skin.
A vegan alternative to beeswax, it offers similar thickening properties.
This hard wax provides excellent structure and helps the body butter glide onto the skin smoothly.
Optional Ingredients
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Essential oils
These can be added for fragrance and aromatherapy benefits. Popular choices include lavender, geranium, and peppermint.
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Vitamin E
A natural antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage.
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Preservatives
These are necessary if your body butter contains any water-based ingredients.
What is the formula for body butter?
While there isn’t one single “formula” for body butter. Below include the following formula for body butter recipe:
- 50% oils: Choose a combination of oils like shea, cocoa, almond, jojoba, or avocado. These forms the base of your body butter
- 40% butters: Shea and cocoa butter add richness and creaminess, but you can also experiment with mango or kokum butter.
- 10% waxes: Beeswax or carnauba wax will give your body butter a stable form. It solidify and give a smooth texture.
Other Optional Ingredients:
- Essential oils: 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance.
- Vitamin E: This helps to protect the skin from free radical damage.
- Arrowroot powder:
This can be used as a thickener and to help absorb excess oil.
In addition to the above, remember:
- The specific ingredients and proportions you use will depend on your desired consistency, skin type, and personal preferences.
- Many body butter recipes are available online and in DIY books, allowing you to customize your own blend.
- Start with a small batch and adjust the recipe as needed until you find the perfect balance for you.
With a little experimentation, you can create a body butter formula that deeply nourishes and delights your skin.
Does body butter need a preservative?
No, not necessarily. Body butter generally doesn’t need a preservative if it only contains oils, butters, and waxes, as these ingredients are naturally antimicrobial. This means they can help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Some examples include: Vitamin E, Rosemary extract, Grapefruit seed extract, Lavender essential oil, Tea tree essential oil and Benzyl alcohol.
How much vitamin E to add to body butter?
To add vitamin E oil to your body butter, aim for around 0.5% of the recipe’s total weight. This helps extend the shelf life of your homemade body butter and adds some antioxidant benefits for your skin.
Whipped Body Butter Recipe Non Greasy
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to making a lightly whipped body butter that won’t clog pores or leave skin feeling greasy:
To get started, let’s gather our materials. We’ll need a mixing bowl, a whisk or hand mixer, and some air-tight containers to store our finished butter.
For ingredients, I like to use skin-nourishing fats that hydrate without heaviness, such as shea butter and cocoa butter – both known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil also adds moisture without weightiness.
First, we’ll need to prepare our butters by chopping or shaving them into smaller pieces, which makes them easier to melt smoothly. Place these chunks, along with about half a cup of coconut oil, into our mixing bowl.
Next, we can gently heat everything together. I find the easiest way is by setting the bowl over a small pot of boiling water and stirring regularly. Keep warm until fully melted and blended seamlessly.
Now for the fun part – it’s time to whisk! We’ll transfer our melted mixture to the mixer and begin beating vigorously. And here is where the magic happens, as we continue whisking for 10 to 15 minutes or so until pale and fluffy.
Finally, we can scoop our lightweight creation into storage jars. Upon application, our skin will drink in hydration without feeling at all greasy or clogged.
Homemade whipped body butter allows us to select butters tailored for different skin types, while avoiding questionable ingredients. Enjoy soft, nourished skin freely and seamlessly!
Conclusion
And with that, you’ve crafted your own skin-softening butter blend to leave your body glowing! As you smooth on the final coats of this DIY moisturizer, feel proud that your limbs are now thoroughly nourished from head to toe using only simple, natural ingredients. Slip into relaxed self-care as your skin absorbs its fill of hydration, then enjoy the supple results for nights and showers to come. Whether shared or for personal use, this multi-tasking cream will maintain its moisturizing magic thanks to its nourishing base of butters and oils. Best of all, your skin will radiate health from within each time you lightly scent the air with its luxurious aroma. Homemade has never been so easy or affordable – so enjoy luminous skin and stay tuned for more recipes that bring out natural beauty through your capable hands!
Body Butter Recipe FAQs
What is difference between body lotion and body butter?
When it comes to moisturizing your skin, you’ll often see lotions and butters listed side by side. But which is best for your unique needs? Let’s break it down simply.
Body lotions typically contain more water content than butters, so they absorb quickly. This makes them a great everyday option for keeping limbs supple. However, lotions can sometimes soak in too fast, leaving skin wanting more hydration. Enter body butters – with their richer, thicker formula packed with skin-nourishing oils and beeswax or shea butter, these forms of moisturizer penetrate deeper.
While butters take a bit longer to rub in fully, their heavy-duty moisture means softer results that last all day long. In the end, both have their place – so use lotion for daily use, reserving butters for more intense moisturizing when skin demands extra TLC.
What is a substitute for coconut oil in body butter?
When creating a soothing moisturizer in your kitchen, coconut oil is a main ingredient for its ability to hydrate skin without greasiness. However, if you need an alternative due to allergy or dietary preference, not to worry – several coconut-free swaps work wonderfully too!
Try replacing a portion of the coconut amounts with sweet almond oil, which also absorbs well but maintains a lighter texture. Or for sensitive complexions, go for soothingly rich avocado or jojoba oil. Both still deliver moisturization yet bear smaller particle sizes that won’t clog pores. No matter your sub choice, pair it with shea or mango butter for that beloved softening. Whichever way you blend it, smooth, soft results are still guaranteed so skin can drink in hydration freely!
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