Body Butter is essentially a very rich and thick lotion. The big difference is that with lotion, you are adding water and emulsifying that with an oil. Adding water to the mix means it has a very short shelf life or needs a preservative added. I do not like using preservatives and therefore prefer this Body Butter recipe.
Now, making lotion without a preservative is possible, it just needs to be stored in the fridge and used within 3 weeks. This Body Butter, on the other hand can be stored at room temperature for at least six months.
The best part about making your own products is that you essentially can use the same ingredients in different proportions to alter the end result. This is also economical, because you can then buy these ingredients in bulk saving quite a bit of money. Once you have become comfortable with the process, you can make anything.
Let's get started...
Herbal Body Butter Recipe
35g. Local Beeswax
212g. Raw Organic Shea Butter
106g. Organic Unrefined Cocnut Oil
45g. Herbal Infused Olive Oil
3tsp. Arrowroot Powder
1 Tbsp Calendula Flowers
Essential Oils of Choice
To make things a little easier for individuals just getting started, I decided to use the same Herbal Infused Oil as I did with my Herbal Diaper Ointment Recipe. These herbs can easily be changed to fit your personal preference.
I spoke about the benefits of these herbs previously
Chamomile is known for it's calming properties, but it is also has powerful anti-fungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a perfect addition to this recipe.
Calendula has impressive anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help speed up the healing process and protect the skin from future infections
Lavender is another herb that is packed full of anti-fungal properties along with being known to help purify the skin. It is also full of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties which help the skin to heal.
Lemon Balm is full of antioxidants that help to protect cells from free radicals. It also has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and helps to stimulate circulation.
Marshmallow Root is an herb with antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties but it is unique in the fact that it has low concentrations of ceramide precursors, which is a natural hydrator. This herb not only hydrates delicate skin but actually helps skin to retain moisture as well.
So our first step is to measure your Beeswax and place in a glass bowl...
Then do the same with your Shea Butter and Coconut Oil...
Shea Butter and Coconut Oil are extremely nourishing and something I try to keep on hand. They could be switched out for Mango Butter or Cocoa Butter as well.
Organic Raw Shea Butter is full of high concentrations of fatty acids and natural vitamins which makes it an extremely nourishing ingredient. When Shea Butter is left in its raw state it is also full of anti-inflammatory properties and high levels of vitamin A and E. It not only moisturizes the skin, but protects it as well.
Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil is an excellent moisturizer along with being full of anti-bacterial and anti inflammatory properties
Now just add the bowl to a pot of water on the store (making a double boiler) and put over low heat...
Stir to help speed the process along...
Once the mixture is fully melted and no lumps remain, remove from heat.
At this point we want to strain our Herbal Infused Oil and add to our melted Shea Butter Mixture.
Now, because I really like to incorporate as many herbs as possible to my products.... I grind up some Calendula Flowers and add them to the mixture.
These actually add a very nice color to the end product as well.
I add about 1 TBSP of the ground flowers into the mixture.
Then I add the Arrowroot Powder. This helps the Body Butter to absorb into the skin, therefore not leaving a greasy residue.
Stir to combine and let the mixture cool. After about 30 minutes it will start to become firm but not set completely.
At this point, I like to mix it to combine all of the flowers that have now probably settled on the bottom. I also have seen that doing this helps with the texture of the Body Butter overall.
Then let it continue to firm up until it is mostly solid (about an hour)
Now the fun part, adding your fragrance. This is completely optional...but because Raw Shea Butter has a very "nutty" smell, I really think adding an essential oil takes this Body Butter to another level.
I personally like to combine Sweet Orange Organic Essential Oil with a Pure Vanilla Extract. Make sure you are using Essential Oils that are safe for topical use and try to avoid "hot" oils like Cinnamon and Oregano.
I add about 30 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil...
and a 1/2 tsp of Vanilla Extract. Adjust the scent until you get something you are satisfied with.
Then mix it all together until smooth and velvety.
Then just spoon your new Body Butter into a container of choice and enjoy!
I hope you found this post helpful!
Happy Homesteading!
That's excellent! I did not know the difference between body butter and moisturizing lotion. I also didn't know about how arrowroot helps to absorb the butter. I'll definitely try this!
Thank you! Yes, there even is a difference between lotion and cream...lotion has more water to oil and cream has more oil to water... 💁 who knew? I hope you enjoy the recipe and thank you for reading!
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That is so cool your very talented. Would work great for wintry dry skin.
Thank you so much...you're too kind. This is such a life saver for my dry winter skin!
Oh yeah this is wonderful I am definitely going to make some of this! Rose absolute is on my mind!
Thank you! Oh Rose would be AMAZING in this! You could even grind up some rose petals instead of the Calendula...great idea.
Love this post - I'm totally into how-to and homesteading stuff aaaand that just earned you a follow neighbor :)
Yay! Thank you so much!
Great post!
Thank you so much!
I cannot put into words how excited I was to come across this tutorial!!! I've only made balm and it is soooo hard to soften, but has no preservatives.....to find a soft one without preservatives!! You rock. Execllent blog and I love your pics! Resteemed <3
Yay! Thank you! I think you will really love this one...it stays the perfect consistency all year. Thank you so much for the resteem and the kind words! ❤
@llfarms, whoooooa. Excellent pictures,great idea. Good job. Please, im looking for more of this.. Keep it up
Thank you so much for reading. I hope to continue to do how to posts about all the products I make to help others to make them for themselves...stay tuned!
Beautiful recipe! I have bookmarked it for later.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do ❤
LOVE this!!!
Have you ever tried to make a whipped lotion? Where it is creamier and less like the body butters? I've been trying to find a good recipe; and how to whip it properly.
Thank you! I have made them before but find they don't hold their "whipped" consistency...they either melt down or harden too much (in the winter). This recipe is smooth without being too wet or too hard for my personal preference. It firms up quite a bit (not runny at all) but is easily scooped out for use. If you find one that works let me know though...I'm always up to try a new recipe! ❤
I had considered the whipped route, but living in N. Idaho with long winters, I prefer not to deal with products that are temperamental when it comes to temperatures. Your photos are just lovely and I'm getting my courage up to try this. I have one daughter with sensitive skin and multiple allergies and sensitivities so it's hard to find a store bought product that doesn't have something in it she's sensitive to. This looks promising and she loves the smell of Shea butter. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much! We have the same problem here with winters....I don't want to have to scrape my lotion out with a knife 😕. I do hope you make this...I promise it's not hard at all and you and your daughter will love the end result. ❤
Ahhhh I didn't think of this
If I find one I'll definitely share
I like this recipe and will try it out soon. I have tried other recipes and did not work out well.
Thank you @cecicastor. I hope you do give it a try, we have been using it for a few years now and love it. This is exactly how I make it, and it should turn out perfectly for you as well. Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks. I will!
I love local beeswax, there are so many uses for it. For years I have been telling people with allergies to eat local honey and build immunity to all those pollen. Great post!
Thank you so much! I totally agree, we added bees to the farm last year and it has been the best thing we have ever done. We are actually adding 5 more hives this spring...I encourage everyone to have bees or to try to find your beeswax and honey locally. So many amazing benefits.
This is great! May I link this article and feature your username in the next issue of the Weekly Homesteading Newsletter?? Let me know, thanks!
That would be amazing, Thank you @kiaraantonoviche!
Thanks for posting this. I'll definitely give it a try.
You're welcome! Thank you so much for reading and please let me know how it works out for you. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to me if you have any questions along the way.
Thanks, I will!
this is a great tutorial, thank you for putting it together.
i've got to add this to my fall of 2018 to-do list, after the flowers are harvested & dried. <3
Thank you so much! I'm excited to see what flowers you have this year. We might have to start a flower exchange...
OOOOHHHHH that would be amazing - if someone has a lavender surplus, or a bit of extra dried chamomile or something. that's such a great idea! and honestly, you can stuff A LOT into one of those medium square boxes that the post office charges $15 to ship.
So true...we could probably do it in the seed exchange area...
in the discord chat? you betcha we could! :)
This looks amazing. I really want to try this now 💗
Thank you! It's pretty simple process and so rewarding to not have to buy lotion anymore.
I love that you know exactly what is in it, no nasty hidden chemicals.
Exactly 😉
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Accept, thank you!
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I also resteemed!! I'm very excited to try this recipe out, thank you so much for sharing!! I'm now following for more recipes in the future! 🙂
Wow this is awesome. Thanks for the breakdown.
Congratulations human ....*.... this post is featured in today's Muxxybot Curation Post.https://steemit.com/curation/@muxxybot/muxxybot-curation-55
I did this years ago but need to get back into it. Thanks for the info, bee's wax would be a great add.
I can't wait to try this recipe!!!! Thanks for making it so easy to follow! Most body butters are way too heavily scented for my taste - so i can't wait to make my own individual LIGHT scent!!! Thanks L&L :) upvoted & followed! :)
Ahhh... thats amazing! looks yummy for the body, and the mood in the photos , its so rustic-spa-ish, loving it!