Body butter is a thick cream that is deeply moisturizing for the skin. Almost like lotion, but much thicker! It can help you protect your skin from dryness as well as rough or patchy skin. Body butter typically contains a combination of naturally derived butters like cocoa butter, Shea butter, or mango butter.
Types of Body Butter
Body butter typically a mixture that contains one of the following: cocoa butter, Shea butter or mango butter. Here are some of the most important differences between these three ingredients:
- Cocoa Butter: This butter is high in Vitamin E and natural antioxidants that help hydrate and soothe your skin. Because it is so powerful, it is one of the most popular types of body butter
- Shea Butter: Shea butter is made out of nuts from the African Shea tree. It is high in Vitamins A and E and also contains fatty acids. It is a great option to keep your skin soft and moisturized all day long.
- Mango Butter: Mango butter contains more fatty acids, making it one of the most useful moisturizers of the three. It is a natural emollient that can help you keep your skin soft and soothe it when irritated.
Some body butters use a blend of all three ingredients for even more skin-enhancing action.
How to Use Body Butters
- Use body butter immediately after you shower to deeply moisturize your skin and prevent moisture loss. If you shave, applying body butter to your skin afterward can also help moisturize your skin and prevent dryness.
- If you experience dryness on common trouble spots—examples include elbows, knees, and ankles, regularly apply body butter to these areas. This can help to improve your skin's texture and prevent future dryness.
- If you pregnant, you can apply body butter to keep your skin moisturized and reduce the chances of getting stretch marks throughout your pregnancy.
- If you have very dry hands or feet, use body butter overnight to help improve your skin overnight. To do so, apply a thick layer of body butter to your hands and feet. Then, cover them with gloves or socks to prevent the moisturizer from rubbing off. Remove your gloves or socks in the morning and rinse off any excess product that is left over.
- If you spend time outdoors, apply body butter after your day in the sun. This can help you to avoid dryness from everyday exposure to the outdoors.
Recipe for beginners!
((Our basic small batch recipe!))
Ingredients:
- 5 oz. coconut oil
- 5 oz. Shea butter
- 5 oz. cocoa butter
- 5 oz. lightweight oils (such as sunflower oil, jojoba oil, hemp oil, or sweet almond oil. We use sunflower oil)
- 4 teaspoons arrowroot powder (optional; it makes it not feel greasy on the skin
- 15–30 drops essential oil, or 0.33 oz. fragrance oil.
Directions:
- In a double boiler or glass bowl, combine all ingredients except essential oils.
- Bring to medium heat and stir constantly until all ingredients are melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Move to the fridge and let cool another 1 hour or until starting to harden but still somewhat soft. (I do it when the sides have hardened)
- Use a hand mixer to whip for 10 minutes until fluffy.
- Add essential oils and whip for another minute.
- Store in a glass jar with a lid.