We are experiencing one of the mildest winters I think we’ve ever had since I moved to Utah from California almost 18 years ago! So WHY, I ask you, am I experiencing the WORST dry skin I’ve ever had in my life this winter?? Answer me that riddler!
While you ponder that oddity of Mother Nature…let me share with you something I made to help combat the problem! BODY BUTTER!
I admit, I have never used Body Butter before. The thought of rubbing “butter” all over my skin just wasn’t appealing to me. That was until I saw a picture of a homemade batch that someone had made. It looked so creamy and fluffy I wanted to grab a spoon! And even better…I couldn’t believe how EASY it was to make.
So in light of my seriously itchy, dry skin this winter I decided I must give this stuff a try! And it just so happened that I had all the ingredients on hand because I had ordered them from Amazon.com not long ago with the intention of making my own Lotion (which I still plan on doing.) But I was so intrigued with this “recipe”, I decided to try it first.
The recipe I used comes from Susan Powers website Rawmazing.com.
Body Butter
1 cup shea butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup almond oil (you can substitute olive oil, jojoba oil, any organic, liquid oil that is healthy.)
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| I added probably 20 to 25 drops of Lavender oil, but when it was finished it was still hard to even smell. Next time I will use more. |
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| I put mine on the back porch to cool. (Yes, that is snow on the ground ). Didn’t take long. :-) |
So for the last two days I have been using this stuff every chance I get! At first it felt really strange to put on because as soon as it comes in contact with the heat of your skin, it basically melts and feels….well…oily. Imagine that! lol. But after working it into my skin for a few seconds, the oily feeling is gone and it just feels smooth and moisturized! If I need to handle something right away after putting it on, I would just wipe off the palms of my hands slightly, just so I didn’t get my cell phone (or whatever) oily.
That is my first experience with Body Butter! Suffice it to say…my body LOVES it!
UPDATE: March 6, 2012
I wanted to just post a short “update” of sorts to this post and reiterate how much I am loving this stuff! When I first looked at my four jars of this stuff I thought I’m NEVER going to be able to use it all! Like I said above…a little goes a long way when you’re just rubbing it occasionally on your hands, etc. But lately I have started literally SLATHERING myself with it when I get out of the shower (I probably use a good 1/4 cup!) and then letting it “soak in” while I dry and style my hair and do my make up. By the time I get dressed it’s no longer oily and my skin feels SOOOO soft!!! Now THAT’S what body butter is supposed to do! I think. :-)
Body Butter that looks good enough to eat (but I wouldn’t recommend it) is today’s…..
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Diane…I'm sorry your question has been getting lost in the shuffle!
Good catch there! It is supposed to be shea butter! (Although cocoa butter would be just as good…just has a cocoa smell to it).
I have updated the Amazon link to SHEA BUTTER. Shea butter shouldn't have any smell to it…which would make it better for adding your own essential oil fragrance.
I hope this answers your long-awaited question! :-)
The top photo with all the ingredients shows cocoa butter (not shea butter) in the melting pot. Just confirming that it's definitely shea you used for this recipe? I've been looking for a cocoa butter (whipped) that worked like a whipped body butter frosting forever so I would be delighted if you really had used cocoa butter. LOL! =)
I have made something similar before, but I use about 2 Capsules of Vitamin E oil in mine, and haven't tried using it with coconut oil. I may just have to try it with that in it. The Vitamin E oil is a sort of preservative.
thanks for sharing your recipe!
Well Anne-Marie…you should be delighted because while I didn't MEAN to use cocoa butter…lol…I did in fact use cocoa butter. The recipe called for shea butter and I thought that's what I had ordered, but was apparently mistaken. I have since learned that either butter will work…but shea has no smell…unlike cocoa butter…that has a definite chocolate smell…which is fine by me! But might not be for others. So there you go. I hope that helps! :-)
Deborah…I think the Vit E oil is a good idea as a natural preservative.
Ellen…you are very welcome!
Oh my goodness! This is a very chatty post! :)
So, does the recipe make 4 jars? If so, it looks easy enough to make a 1/2 recipe. Good to know that you used Cocoa butter & it worked, because I LOVE that smell! Maybe that is why you had a hard time smelling the lavender – ha, ha!
melting the shea and coconut oil as I write this. Can't wait to try this recipe!!
How much does this recipe make? Can't wait to try it!
Jill- I love coconut oil (use it for everything.) In your recipe, would you replace the shea butter with coconut, then add the remaining oils? I am very excited to try this. Thanks so much for sharing it with us :)
lisalwright…I think you could just as easily use olive oil or almond oil for this as well.
Becca…I love coconut oil too! Removing the butter and using only coconut oil might work. I say go for it and let us know! ;-)
I tried this and it works so well, I'm addicted! But instead of the 1/2c of Almond oil, I tried a 1/2c combo of olive oil, argan oil, 2 Vitamin E capsules, and some cocoa butter, dab of honey with orange essential oil and rosehip essential oil. It smells and feels amazing! Thank you for this recipe :) I have found myself slathering it on too after showers ;)
-Amy
http://aliceinstyle-land.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the great recipe. What could be used as an alternative to coconut oil (as I'm allergic)? Would it be ok to replace it with more of the vegetable oil or would beeswax be needed for a firmer consistency?
Many thanks, Fran
I’m also allergic to coconut–I’ve been asking around and it might be just advisable to use cocoa butter and shea butter, and just not coconut oil. If you’re not allergic to palm oil, you could try that instead.
Have been using this Feb 29th and I absolutely love it. I cannot believe how different my skin had become in just the first few days of use. (even my skeptical husband now uses it on occasion) Finally no rashes because it is all natural. I didn't have EO at the time but got used to the scent right away. I have given small amounts to friends to try and they are all hooked and have asked for the recipe. Thank you for all the wonderful things you post!!
Can't wait to make this. I think will make great gifts! Can you tell me how much this will make?
This recipe made enough to fill the four small jars you see in the pictures above. :-)
Fran…you could substitute Palm Kernel oil for the coconut oil….or just take out the coconut oil and use more shea or cocoa butter.
I’ve been looking to replace my massage cream for work, with something with very few ingredients, that isn’t about sixty dollars a gallon.. I already use almond oil for an alternative to cream, and I have coconut oil, so all I have to do now is find some shea butter at the health foods store and I’m set! Hope this works as a replacement! If not, I’m sure I can find a use for body butter, ;o) .. Thanks!
This sounds awesome. I’m going to give it a try this weekend. Can I use this on my face as well???
I’ve already made 2 half batches of this, both with different scents ( one with a Bergamot lavender ess. oil mix, the other with sweet orange, vanilla and ylang ylang mix). I use is on my face when it’s feeling extra dry or at night, body and in my hair when my hair is feeling extra dry ( I have super curly hair).
I’m totally in love with this recipe.
Made this over the weekend..easy and LOVE IT!!!
Quick question, (awesome tutorial btw)
How long would this last, shelf life wise ??
Thanks
Question: Which Shea butter are you using. I use Amazon as well for many things but reading all the reviews on Shea butter, wow, a lot of unhappy people. Wondering which you used.
I have used this recipe and love it! When I made it I put some cornstarch in as I’m whipping it. It gives a real nice feel when applying.
my coconut oil is liquid form is that ok to use?
Jillee,
How would you compare this to your Simple Moisturizing Lotion? Which do you like better?
I made this last night, didn’t totally follow directions on accident and it failed! It is still a liquid this am. Anyone know how to save it?! I added the olive oil while it was melting, of course it was too late to remove that part. I was hoping to make this for mother’s day gifts, but not now!
JoAnna,
It takes a while to solidify. If still too liquidy after sticking in the fridge for a few hours, I would add more coconut oil to it and then stick in fridge again.