
How to Make Homemade Non-Greasy Body Butter
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Body butters are a rich, nourishing skincare product that can transform the health and appearance of your skin. These thick, creamy lotions provide deep hydration, restore skin elasticity, and promote smooth, soft skin. Thanks to their high content of natural oils and butters, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and mango butter, body butters offer superior moisture retention compared to lighter lotions or creams. They are especially beneficial for dry or sensitive skin, as they help repair and protect the skin barrier. The nourishing ingredients penetrate deeply into the skin, providing long-lasting hydration and soothing properties, making them ideal for use after bathing or during cold, dry weather when skin is particularly prone to dehydration.
Creating your own body butter allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring the use of high-quality, natural products suited to your skin's specific needs. The recipe below is non-greasy, leaving your skin feeling soft without the oily residue often associated with traditional body butters.
Shop the Products You'll Need:
- Unrefined Shea Butter
- Mango Butter or Cocoa Butter
- Carrier Oil (Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Grapeseed, or Coconut)
- Arrowroot Starch (optional)
- Essential Oils of Choice
Equipment:
- Double Boiler (for melting butters)
- Mixing Bowls (for combining ingredients)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons (for correct measurements)
- Hand-Mixer (to whip the body butter)
- Glass Storage Jar with Lid (for storing the final product)
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unrefined or refined shea butter (41 grams)
- 1/4 cup mango butter (41 grams) or cocoa butter (34 grams) (Alternatively, you can use 41 grams of additional shea butter if you prefer all shea butter)
- 1/4 cup carrier oil of your choice: grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil (42 grams)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons arrowroot starch (optional, 5 grams)
- 36 drops essential oil of choice (optional for scent)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Double Boiler:
If you have a double boiler pan, fill the bottom pan with water about 1/4 full and place the top pan on it. Add the shea butter and mango butter (or cocoa butter) to the top pan and heat on medium. Stir occasionally until the butters are fully melted, about 3-5 minutes. If you don’t have a double boiler pan, you can make one using a saucepan and a glass or metal bowl. Partially fill the saucepan with water (about 1/4 full) and place the bowl on top, ensuring it fits snugly without touching the water. Add the butters to the bowl and heat on medium, stirring occasionally until fully melted.
2. Mix Arrowroot Starch (Optional):
If using arrowroot starch, mix it into the carrier oil in a small mixing bowl until well combined. Set the mixture aside. If not using arrowroot starch, skip this step.
3. Combine Ingredients:
Carefully remove the melted butters from the heat and stir in the carrier oil (with the arrowroot starch mixed in, if using). Mix thoroughly to combine the ingredients.
4. Chill the Mixture:
Let the mixture cool slightly, then place the bowl in the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for about 30-60 minutes, depending on your fridge's temperature. The mixture should become opaque and firm but not completely solid.
5. Whip the Body Butter:
Remove the chilled mixture from the fridge. If desired, add your essential oil drops at this stage. For cocoa butter, use a fork to whip the mixture for about 10-20 seconds until smooth and creamy. For shea or mango butters, use a hand mixer or a fork to whip for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to overwhip.
6. Store Your Body Butter:
Spoon the whipped body butter into a clean glass jar with a lid. Seal the jar and store at room temperature, away from sunlight, for up to 6 months.
How to Use:
Apply a small amount of this luxurious body butter onto damp skin, especially after bathing, for optimal moisture absorption. Massage gently into the skin—arms, legs, feet, neck, and chest—and enjoy the deeply nourishing effects. A little goes a long way!
Notes:
Which Butter to Use?
Mango butter yields a softer consistency when mixed with shea butter, while cocoa butter gives a thicker, denser butter that has a subtle chocolate scent. You can also use 100% shea butter if you prefer, but note that unrefined shea butter has a stronger scent, so consider using refined shea butter if you're sensitive to scents.
Which Carrier Oil to Choose?
Sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil are excellent for all skin types, as they are light and absorb quickly. Coconut and olive oils are heavier options, so they may not be ideal for use on the face.
Why Arrowroot Starch?
Arrowroot starch helps reduce the greasy feel that is often associated with body butters. It's entirely optional, but it can make the butter feel lighter on your skin.
How Much Essential Oil?
We recommend a 1% dilution of essential oil in this recipe, but always check the back of the bottle for specific dilution guidelines for your chosen essential oil.
What to Avoid When Making and Using Body Butter
Steer Clear of “Hot” Essential Oils
Certain essential oils, such as cinnamon, clove, oregano, thyme, and lemongrass, can cause irritation or a burning sensation on the skin. These are often referred to as “hot oils” and should be avoided in body butter recipes.
Be Cautious with Citrus Oils
Citrus essential oils like sweet orange or lemon are photosensitive, meaning they can make your skin more vulnerable to sunlight. If you use citrus oils, avoid direct sun exposure to prevent irritation.
Don’t Overapply
Body butter is much richer and denser than water-based lotions, so a little goes a long way. Using too much may leave your skin feeling oily. Start with a small amount, gently massage it into your skin, and let it absorb naturally.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Body Butter Texture
Avoid Overwhipping
When whipping the cooled ingredients, less is more. For cocoa butter, a quick whisk with a fork for 10-20 seconds is sufficient. Shea butter and mango butter may require about 30 seconds with a hand mixer. Overwhipping can impact the texture and consistency of your body butter.
Know the Impact of Ingredients and Temperature
The texture of your body butter depends on the ingredients you choose and the surrounding temperature. Cocoa butter tends to produce a firmer, denser butter, while shea and mango butter result in a softer, creamier texture. Environmental temperature can also influence how firm or soft your body butter becomes over time.
For the Fluffiest Body Butter
Combining coconut oil with shea butter typically yields the lightest and fluffiest texture. This combination is ideal for a luxurious whipped consistency that’s easy to apply and quickly absorbed by the skin.
Final Thoughts:
Making your own body butter is an easy, fun, and rewarding DIY project that results in a high-quality skincare product. Not only can you customize the ingredients based on your preferences, but you also have full control over the quality and purity of what you're applying to your skin. This body butter is perfect for all skin types, leaving you with soft, smooth skin without a greasy feeling. Enjoy the nourishing benefits of this homemade, non-greasy body butter and indulge in a little self-care every day.
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