Shea butter body butter glides on your skin and holds the moisture in, probably better than anything else I’ve ever tried. If you suffer from dry flaky skin, you’ll definitely want to make some.

Fortunately, body butter is ridiculously easy to prepare.

Body Butter Recipe With Shea Butter

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After seeing lots of body butter recipes on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it. So I went searching for the easiest recipe I could find, using just two ingredients, coconut oil and pure organic shea butter.

That’s all you need. If you want some natural fragrance, you can add some of your favorite essential oils.

I did see some other recipes that called for more ingredients. But I know they’re not necessary, because coconut oil and shea butter work so well together.

I was thrilled to discover a really easy way to make a non-toxic lotion I can use on my arms, legs and even my face.

In my quest for better health, I’ve decided to stop using chemical moisturizers that invariably contain parabens. These compounds are added as preservatives. However, they mimic the female hormone estrogen, fueling concerns they could increase your risk of breast cancer.

So body butter it is. Although this concoction might a little greasy for daytime use, it makes a great wrinkle-fighter night cream. However, if your skin is really dry, you might find it “drinks” this butter up. So perhaps you could use it as a day time moisturizer.

How to Make Body Butter With Shea Butter

All you need to make your own body butter is coconut oil, shea butter, a stove top and a little bit of time.

Some of the online recipes call for microwaving the ingredients to soften them up. I wouldn’t want to do this, because of the potential to destroy some of the natural compounds that work to moisturize and soften your skin. (Also, in my house, our built-in microwave gets no use. It came with the house. Someday, when our kitchen is remodeled, it’s going to go.)

Yesterday, I made some body butter for my dog. (Don’t add essential oils if you’re making it for your fur baby.)

Today, I’m making a new batch, adding a little palmarosa essential oil. This aromatic is found in a number of natural cosmetics. Palmarosa oil comes from a tropical grass. It smells a lot like roses, and it apparently has a reputation for being able to renew the skin. (See body butter recipe below.)

Many of us already have coconut oil the house. Organic shea butter is not so common. You probably won’t find this in the grocery store. So, you may need to order it online. Here is the brand that I use.

Now Solutions Organic Shea Butter

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Body Butter Recipes With Shea Butter

Making body butter with natural shea butter is so easy. I was amazed my first batch came out so well, which you can see in the picture above. I’m not really the DIY type, although I’m learning, out of necessity. I no longer use chemicals on my skin. So I’m starting to make some of my own cosmetics.

Anyway, here’s how to make smooth and creamy shea butter body butter.

• No matter how much you plan to make, use 2 parts of organic coconut oil to 1 part shea butter.
• Heat these two oils on the stove, over low heat, in a small stainless steel pan.
• When the oils turn to liquid, take the pan off the stove and let it cool for about 15 minutes.
• Then pour the liquids into a clean glass bowl.
• Put this bowl in the freezer for just 10 minutes.
• Take it out of the freezer and transfer the partially solid oils to a mixing bowl.
• With an electric mixer, whip until it turns white and creamy, or whatever consistency you desire. I whipped my body butter for 11 or 12 minutes. It will also harden after it’s whipped.
• Just before you finish mixing add the essential oils of your choice. Remember that the body butter is like a carrier oil. You only need a little bit of essential oil. A typical ratio with non-solid oils is 3 drops essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier. Body butter is semi solid and contains more air than a liquid oil. So scale back to about 1 drop of essential oil to a teaspoon of body butter.
• Then transfer the finished product to a clean glass jar. It will keep its consistency. Body butter in a decorative jar makes a great gift. Who wouldn’t love an all-natural moisturizer that works so well?

Body butter is really fun to make. But you’ll want to clean up carefully. I cleaned out all of the excess butter from the dirty pan, bowls and egg beater, before putting it in the sink.

Coconut oil is great for your skin. But, I’ve learned from personal experience that it has the potential to clog your indoor plumbing. I’m assuming shea butter can do just as much damage.

So, I thoroughly clear away all of the leftover body butter with newspaper or any other type of paper before putting anything in the sink.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.

For Additional Reading

What Do You Use Shea Butter For?