Body Butter - Homemade

By lindaauman

I have gotten some shea butter in deli containers that I didn't like so much. You need to make sure it is unrefined which means it will probably come in a large chunk or crumbles in a plastic bag. It will be off white and will have some tiny flecks of shell that won't make any difference. It has a distinctive nutty smell that you may or may not like but you can add EO at the end.

I always melt it slowly in a double boiler with 1 to 1 ratio of coconut oil (always unrefined organic) and some beeswax to stiffen it up I add some Vit E, and a little bit of johoba oil. When it is cool (refrigerate) you can whip it and it will be light and fluffy. Keep in mind that it will turn back to liquid if you store it in a warm place or take it on a hot camping trip lol. Still nice. It will melt in your hands when you apply it. It will absorb in a short time. You can find all kinds of formulas on Pintrest so this is just a place to start. Also I have added non nano zinc powder for natural sunscreen and use more beeswax . One more thing. After I put it on my face I dust it with cornstarch which makes it a good base if I am going to use powder makeup or go natural.

I would suggest doing a small amount a cup or so total until you tweek it like you like it. You can always rewarm it and add more coconut oil, shea butter, etc. Use sparingly, it will soak in slowly. Have not had any trouble with it staining my cloths or sheets if I use too much. I’ve read that it has an SPF 6-8 and 15-20 if you add non nano zinc to make chemical free sunscreen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pure organic, UNREFINED shea butter
• 1 cup pure organic, UNREFINED coconut oil
• 2 tsp. beeswax pastilles
• 1 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
• 5 T Jajoba Oil
• 2 tsp. Argan Oil
• 40 drops of essential oil (use more or less, to your liking) I’ve used lavender, patchouli, a few drops of spearmint…whatever you like.

Preparation

Step 1

Melt shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax passtilles (in double boiler, NOT microwave). Whisk occasionally during heating.

Remove from heat, let cool, then whisk in Vitamin E, Jajoba, and Argan Oils. Allow mixture to cool in the fridge (will take a few hours). I stir it while it’s cooling and scrape hardened parts/stir in.

Before it completely hardens, scrape around the edges and bottom, then use mixer to whip until soft peaks form; add fragrance oil and finish whipping. Transfer to storage containers. Use a spoon or spatula, not fingers so as not to introduce bacteria into body butter.

This recipe makes a large batch of lotion that I store in fridge. You'll need less of this than commercial moisturizers - just a dime size is plenty for both hands and arms.

Can add peppermint oil to a small amount for a great lip balm.