How To Make The Perfect Body Butter For Your Unique Skin | One Good Thing by Jillee

The world of skincare products can be a little intimidating to navigate. Not only is there a massive variety of different products out there, but many of them also have confusing names. When I first heard someone mention “body butter,” I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant or what it was supposed to do! But once I started making and using my own body butter, I was extremely grateful that I had made the effort to learn what it was!

What Is Body Butter?

If you’re in the same boat as I was back then, body butter is essentially a thicker, richer, and more concentrated form of lotion. It is used to hydrate, nourish, and soften skin, and can be especially useful for treating really dry or cracked skin. And today I’ll be sharing my all-time favorite body butter recipe with you!

And I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I think this homemade version is even better than store-bought body butter. This homemade version is packed with all-natural ingredients that will moisturize and revitalize even the driest skin. And as you’ll learn very shortly, this body butter recipe is also highly customizable! So let’s dive right in, and explore what goes into it and how to make it. :-)

For even more recipes for natural skincare and hygiene products, be sure to check out my eBook At-Home Bath & Body! You can buy it in my shop, or download it for free if you’re an OGT Plus member!

What Goes Into It?

This simple body butter recipe calls for three ingredients (or four, if you count the optional one). But it’s not an exact science, and there are plenty of ways to customize it to fit your individual wants and needs! So before we get to the actual recipe, I wanted to quickly go over what each ingredient does and how you might customize them.

◆ Shea Butter

Shea butter is a highly concentrated fatty acid that melts at body temperature, making it a great addition to lotions and body butters. And despite its high fat content, shea butter is also non-comedogenic, making it a great choice for those with acne-prone or oily skin.

If you want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, scars, or other imperfections, feel free to swap out the shea butter for cocoa butter instead. Cocoa butter is packed with vitamins and acids that can improve skin’s appearance over time.

◆ Coconut Oil

Coconut oil makes an excellent moisturizer for both hair and skin. It also has natural antibacterial properties, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that it smells wonderful too! :-)

Related: The Best Beauty Product You Have Is In Your Kitchen

◆ Almond Oil

Almond oil is a moisturizing carrier oil that has a light, non-greasy texture. It has a pleasantly nutty smell, absorbs well into skin, and works well for most skin types.

There are plenty of other carrier oils you can choose to use in place of almond oil, if you prefer. (Though I personally wouldn’t choose fractionated coconut oil, since using two types of coconut oil would be a bit redundant.) Jojoba oil would make a great choice, or you could even use olive oil if that’s what you have on hand!

Related: The Best Carrier Oils For Your DIY Health & Beauty Products

◆ Essential Oils (Optional)

If you want to add a nice scent or additional skin-nourishing properties to your homemade body butter, you can do that by including essential oils. (When it comes to homemade skincare products, lavender essential oil is always my first choice!)

How To Make Homemade Body Butter

Ingredients:

1 cup shea butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup almond oil
30 drops essential oils (optional)

Directions:

Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together in the top part of a double boiler (or in a bowl suspended over a pan of simmering water.) Once they have melted together, remove from heat and let the mixture cool for 30 minutes.

Stir in the almond oil and essential oils (if using), then wait until oils start to partially solidify.

Next, use a hand mixer to whip the mixture for a few minutes, or until it achieves a butter-like consistency.

Transfer the finished body butter to a clean glass jar for storage.

Note: Due to gravity, your homemade body butter may lose some of its airiness over time. If that happens, simply use your hand mixer to re-whip it until it achieves your desired consistency.

How To Use Your Homemade Body Butter

Rub the whipped body butter mixture over your skin, allowing a few moments for the heat from your skin to melt the oils. (I like to put in on after I get out of the shower, so it can “soak in” while I finish drying my hair and getting dressed.)

Apply as often as desired for softer, more moisturized skin.

Have you ever made or used body butter before?

Print

Body Butter

I think this homemade version is even better than store-bought body butter. This homemade version is packed with all-natural ingredients that will moisturize and revitalize even the driest skin.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 52 minutes

Servings 2 cups

Author Jill Nystul

Cost $18

Equipment

• Double Boiler
• Hand Mixer
• Glass Jar

Ingredients

• 1 cup shea butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup almond oil
• 30 drops essential oils optional

Instructions

• Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together in the top part of a double boiler (or in a bowl suspended over a pan of simmering water.) Once they have melted together, remove from heat and let the mixture cool for 30 minutes.
  
• Stir in the almond oil and essential oils (if using), then wait until oils start to partially solidify.
  
• Next, use a hand mixer to whip the mixture for a few minutes, or until it achieves a butter-like consistency.
  
• Transfer the finished body butter to a clean glass jar for storage.
  

Notes

Due to gravity, your homemade body butter may lose some of its airiness over time. If that happens, simply use your hand mixer to re-whip it until it achieves your desired consistency.