Homemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (2024)

Your whole food, plant-based life.

Susan|January 17, 2012

Homemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (2)

I made my first batch of body butter today. I think my life has changed forever. Delightful,decadentand easy, I have wanted to try making it for a long time. I was convinced that it would be difficult and not work the way I wanted. Boy, was I wrong.

I love creamy body butters. Living in a climate that gets quite cold and dry in the winter, they are a must in my house. But two things have always bothered me. They can be quite expensive and also, full of ingredients that are less than desirable for your skin and health.

We often forget that our skin is the largest organ on our body and absorbswhat we put on it. If you are using lotions and body butters with chemicals in them (fragrances, preservatives, color additives, etc.) be aware that your skinabsorbsthe chemicals, too. Not exactly desirable. I often just use almond oil on my skin after a shower but sometimes I want something a little moredecadent. Body butters, made with pure oils and essential oils forfragranceare just the thing.

Homemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (4)

I called my friend Jen Vertanen, who writes the blog, “The Wholehearted Life”, knowing that she has spent years playing with recipes for home made soaps and lotions and asked her opinion on ingredients. She told me to use 75% solid to 25% liquid oil. Sounded easy enough.

I measured out shea butter (I use this shea butter:organic raw shea butterHomemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (5)and coconut oil for the solid, and melted them in my home-made double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler, make sure there is space for the steam to escape and you are using heat proof glass.)

Homemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (6)

I wanted to use rosemary as one of my scents. I didn’t have any rosemary essential oil so I added fresh rosemary as the oils were cooling. I also stirred in the almond oil at this point. Once the oil was cool, I strained out the rosemary, added peppermint (just a few drops, it is strong) and sweet orange essential oils and tried to whip the butter as instructed in other body recipes that I had researched. Nothing happened. I was about to give up and just let the oil harden when I had an idea.

Homemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (7)

I placed the oil mixture outside (it’s cold…it’s Minnesota) and let it partially set up. At that point, I tried whipping it again in the kitchen aid mixer and, success! A beautiful body butter, so simple to make, smelling delicious and with a texture that was like clouds of silk.

*Because of the popularity of this recipe on pinterest, I am getting many, many questions that are more suited for an expert. This is a raw food site, this was my first attempt at body butter, it worked better than I could have hoped for and if you make this recipe as stated, it will work great for you too!! I am sorry but I can’t answer the technical questions. Cheers!*

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR BODY BUTTER WHIPPING: you probably rushed this step. It needs to be cooled significantly….like in the picture.

I have to admit, I am pretty excited at how easy it is to make. I used sweet orange, lemon andlavenderin my second batch. Heavenly. You can just use the basic recipe and add your favorite essential oils. Just make sure they are skin friendly!

A few people have asked about jars. I use these: Weck JarsHomemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (8)

Homemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (9)

TIPS: PLEASE READ!

  1. You can use what ever oils you wish, just make sure you keep the ratio 75% solid to 25% liquid. SO IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED OILS, JUST REPLACE THEM WITH AN OIL THAT YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO. Just make sure you replace a solid for a solid and a liquid for a liquid.
  2. The chilling step is crucial. If you don’t chill it properly, it won’t whip or stay whipped. About 20 minutes in the freezer usually does the trick for this batch. Make sure you scrape down the sides before mixing.
  3. Since this recipe does not contain any water, it will not mold. You should keep in a cool place but it does not have to be refrigerated.
  4. I do not know the exact shelf life but I know it will keep at least a few months, plus.
  5. The body butter melts as it goes on and gets a little oily butabsorbsbeautifully, quickly and leaves your skin very soft.
  6. You can order the shea butter here: Raw Shea ButterHomemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (10)

You can order the coconut oil here: Coconut OilHomemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (11)

You can order the almond oil here: Almond Oil Homemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (12)

You can order the Weck Jars here: Weck JarsHomemade Body Butter Recipe - Rawmazing Raw and Cooked Vegan Recipes (13)

Alternatively, coconut oil and almond oil are quite easy to locate at your local coop, Whole Foods or health food store.

  1. This recipe has been tested many times. If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the same results.
  2. Many people ask for exact amounts of essential oils. I start with at least 20 drops of what ever oil I want to use and just increase slowly until I am happy with how it smells. So…be free! Use your own creativity here.

MAKES 2 1/2 to 3 CUPS WHIPPED BUTTER

  1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
  2. Stir in almond oil and essential oils of your choosing.*
  3. Place oil mixture in freezer or outside to chill.
  4. Wait until oils start to partially solidify (see photo) then whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
  5. Place in clean, glass jar and enjoy! A little goes a long way.

*Not all essential oils are skin friendly or child friendly. Please do your research before adding.

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FAQs

What ingredient keeps body butter from melting? ›

To keep your body butter from liquefying in warmer temperature, you need to reformulate your recipe to increase hard oils or include beeswax. For example, a higher percentage of cocoa butter or the inclusion of beeswax would raise the melting temperature of the above product.

How do you make body butter not harden? ›

We suggest using a dermatologically safe and organic oil such as coconut oil or almond oil. But the ultimate solution to keep whipped Shea butter from hardening is the use of Jojoba Oil. Jojoba oil offers significant skin advantages, but it also helps preserve whipped Shea butter and prevents it from hardening.

How do you make body butter out of raw shea butter? ›

  1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. ...
  2. Stir in almond oil and essential oils of your choosing.*
  3. Place oil mixture in freezer or outside to chill.
  4. Wait until oils start to partially solidify (see photo) then whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
  5. Place in clean, glass jar and enjoy!
Jan 17, 2012

Do you need a license to make body butter? ›

No, you don't need a license. Cosmetics don't need pre-approval before they enter the market; furthermore, it's perfectly legal to make them at home as long as you follow the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).

What is the formula for body butter? ›

Basic Body Butter Formula:
Shea Butter50gms
Coconut oil25 gms
Sweet Almond oil25 gms
Essential oil10 to 12 drops
Apr 4, 2022

What is the best emulsifier for body butter? ›

Ritamulse SCG (Emulsimulse, ECOMulse), BTMS-50, or Emulsifying Wax NF will work instead of Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate, though they won't feel as nice. BTMS-25 and Olivem 1000 will also work, though I find they thicken up faster and it is harder to make a smooth emulsified body butter with them.

Does homemade body butter need a preservative? ›

Body butter

This is a simple mixture of butter and oil. Because there's no water and it will likely be applied to dry skin, don't worry about a preservative. As always, you can add one if you plan to sell it.

How do you make body butter stay fluffy? ›

If for any reason the shea butter becomes grainy, simply remelt it and let it cool to room temperature before trying to whip it. Step 4: Next transfer the chilled body butter into the chilled mixer bowl. Chilling the mixing bowl really helps the body butter fluff up when you whip it.

What does arrowroot powder do in body butter? ›

Arrowroot powder can be added to anhydrous body care products including body balms, salves, and butters to enable the end product to have a more appealing lightweight texture while leaving a non-greasy finish to the skin.

Why is my homemade body butter so greasy? ›

Different fats/butters/oils have different skin feels and absorb at different speeds. If your body butter is made entirely (or mostly) from heavy feeling, slow-to-absorb butters and oils (like shea butter or oat oil), that will make for a heavier, greasier end product.

Why is my DIY body butter gritty? ›

TL; DR: Your body butter is grainy because it didn't cool properly or because it re-melted/softened too much in too-hot storage conditions and then re-cooled in a less-than-ideal way afterwards.

How do you make organic body butter? ›

Instructions
  1. Melt the coconut oil, olive oil, cocoa butter and shea butter in a double boiler. ...
  2. Put the liquid in the freezer until it is firm. ...
  3. Add in your favorite essential oil.
  4. Whip the butter using a stand mixer or hand held mixer.
  5. Store in a glass mason jar with a lid.
Nov 21, 2021

How much vitamin E to add to body butter? ›

Vitamin E - Vitamin E T-50 is an excellent antioxidant for products containing oils. The usage rate for vitamin E is 1%. Tapioca Starch Powder - Tapioca starch in whipped body butter helps to cut down on the greasy feeling. The usage rate is 1 tsp.

Why does raw shea butter turn white? ›

Shea butter turns white from either heat or oxidation. It loses some of its healing properties. Primarily vitamin A. It is still a very good moisturiser but the healing properties of shea is the main reason for its use.

Is it profitable to make body butter? ›

Ans. Yes, making body butters is a great way to start a company. There is a high demand for homemade body butters. It is a rising company that is worth investing in.

Is body butter in high demand? ›

The Global Body Butter market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2023 and 2031. In 2022, the market is growing at a steady rate and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon.

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