January. The coldest month of the year, at least here in the Northern hemisphere. And all that bitterly cold air means dry air, which means rough, dry skin. Wind-burned, chapped, cracking dry skin. But fear not, because I’m here to save your hide with this homemade body butter, made with moisturizing Shea butter and unrefined coconut oil.
What’s homemade body butter, you ask? Good question. I was wondering the same thing.
Lotion. It’s just a fancy name for lotion. I’m a guy, function over form, so I don’t understand the need to unnecessarily prettify something. But again, I’m not a woman, and if calling it body butter instead of lotion makes my wife feel more pampered, with all that she does to keep the household running, I won’t begrudge her that, even if I don’t get it 🙂
And truly, this homemade body butter does feel more luxurious than just a simple lotion – it’s whipped and creamy and smooth, and really does a number on your dry skin.
How to Make Homemade Body Butter
Simple. You melt some shea butter, a little coconut oil, and some almond or olive oil (about a 50:50 shea-to-oil ratio). I do this by resting a small metal bowl in a pot of water on the stove, then heating until it’s fully melted.
Let it cool slightly – when the edges are just starting to harden up, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and blend on high speed until it’s fairly creamy. I find that it’s easier to mix if it’s too solidified as opposed to too liquidy. If it’s your first time, it may take a try or two to figure out the right time to whip it, but if you mess it up, you can always remelt until it’s soft enough to whip again – no worries!
Store your homemade body butter in a glass jar at room temp – I’ve had mine out for months with no problems whatsoever!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup olive or almond oil
- 10-15 drops your favorite essential oil, if you need it to smell pretty (I like orange, or sandalwood for something a little more manly)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a double boiler or small saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat until everything is melted.
- Pour into another bowl and let cool for a good hour (in the fridge if you're in a hurry), or until the oils are just starting to consider re-solidifying (this is important - you won't be able to whip it up if they're still too liquid).
- When the oil mixture is starting to solidify around the edges, start beating with a hand mixer. Continue for a few more minutes, or until it looks kinda like whipped cream, forming stiff peaks.
- Transfer to a jar or other storage. Should keep for a long while.
Note that the measurements don’t need to be exact. Since I was dealing with solid oils, I just eyeballed them rather than doing water displacement and all that. It won’t explode if the ratios aren’t perfect.
Note also that this is a little greasy when you first put it on, as it takes a minute to absorb, so don’t operate heavy machinery or perform dental surgery for at least a few minutes after application.
For a lighter version, try this non-greasy moisturizing lotion – just as easy to put together, but not quite so heavy!
To learn more about the amazing benefits of essential oils, see my Essential Oils page!
And don’t forget to exfoliate with this easy sugar scrub!
Interested in more homemade goodness? Clean up your entire routine with this toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo.
And don’t forget to pamper your lips too, with this 5-minute homemade lip balm!
I want to use cocoa butter in my body butter. Any recipes?
I think you should be able to use half shea and half cocoa butter (1/4 cup shea and 1/4 cocoa butter) in this recipe and it would work very well. Or just sub the whole 1/2 cup for cocoa butter. I love shea butter though, so you can really do whatever you want with these body butters and they turn out pretty well. Take care 🙂
Yep, any kind of solid butter will work (shea, cocoa, mango) – not the stick from your fridge though 🙂
This sounds interesting, and I’d like to try it. The only “Shea butter” I’m familiar with is what I buy in a container that is like moisturizer consistency. Sounds like you are talking about a different Shea butter?
I can’t be sure, but what you’ve seen is probably processed (or has other stuff added to it). Raw Shea butter is pretty solid at room temp, although it will melt into your hands if you rub it.
Can you store the cream in plastic containers like body shop containers and do you need to keep the cream in the fridge? Thanks.
I do glass, but not at all necessary. You don’t need to keep it in the fridge, unless maybe you live in a super hot climate. It may soften slightly when it’s really hot out, but I always keep it out (and it will get into the 90s here).
Not sure I let it cool long enough. Seemed like it took awhile. Let it set out on counter for an hour. Then the fridge, still not, then the freezer. I have stif peaks, but man is it greasy!!
FYI: lotion includes water — so it’s harder to make, and more likely to support bacteria than a body butter
I don’t have a hand mixer and I am wondering if you have tried any other methods to whip it? Do you think it would work in my blendtec blender? Or should I try to borrow a hand mixer? Thanks!
I have personally not tried any other whipping methods, but the point is to just fluff it up a little. A blender (on low) should work; a wire whisk should also be okay, but might be a workout!
I don’t think the blender will work! Either that or I got intimidated and stopped too soon because it became super liquid. When you whip it with a hand mixer does it get really soupy before it stiffens up?
Bummer! Maybe the blender generates too much heat and it melts – are you using it on the lowest setting? When I use a mixer, I let it cool until it’s almost a putty consistency, so not liquid at all. It doesn’t get soupy, just fluffs up a bit. Sorry that didn’t work for you – there’s always the whisk (and strong shoulders)!
Thanks for answering all my questions! I really want this to work! It was on the lowest setting, but it must have generated too much heat. I’m gonna see if I can find a mixer to borrow. Do you really mix it for 10 minutes? I feel like that would melt it. I don’t understand oil haha…
No, I don’t think I’ve ever actually made it 10 minutes, ’cause I start when it’s a little on the soft side so it doesn’t need to mix that long. Probably no more than 3-4 is the longest I’ve done. Good luck – hope you can get it to work out!
Very disappointing. This did not fluff or whip to a butter consistency. I will look for another recipe that actually works.
Sorry it didn’t turn out! If it’s still too warm/soft when you whip it, it will probably stay pretty dense. There’s a sweet spot that you have to hit. Most recipes for this kind of thing are pretty much the same, since it’s only a couple ingredients and the process is the same, but good luck finding something!
Hi! Have you ever tried adding beeswax to this recipe?? Did it whip up?? I added some and it will NOT whip up. I’m wondering if I should wait for it to cool more or if it’s the beeswax.
I haven’t added beeswax to this recipe, and if I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever added beeswax to something that I whip (I do put it in lip balm, but that just gets melted and poured). So I can’t really say for sure what the problem might be – definitely make sure it’s cool enough (it won’t whip up, beeswax or not, if it’s too runny). It should start to solidify a little, but it should be easy to push your finger into. The wax may change the consistency enough that it just won’t whip (and I’m not sure how much you added; go light on it), but I’m not positive. Good luck!
I used a little bit (1/2 Tablespoon) of finely grated bees wax and it melts and whips just fine in the mixture.
I’d like to do this as a gift – do you know approximately how many ounces this makes so I can get the appropriate number of jars/multiply as necessary?
When I made it, I ended up with about four 4 oz jars, so probably plan on 3-4, depending on how much you whip it and how full the jars are.
Couldn’t it be melted in the microwave?
It absolutely could, I just tend to use metal containers for this, which obviously don’t fare well in the microwave.
Thanks. I melted it right into my smaller glass mixing bowl. Will whip it in that also. Less dishes to wash. 😉
My mixture is not hardening. I doubled the recipe and used a lot of essential oil for scent. It cooled for an hour on the counter and it has been in the fridge for 45 minutes. Could doubling the recipe have caused a problem?
I guess it’s possible, but I’ve never heard of it causing a problem. It would make sense that it takes longer to cool, just because the volume is doubled so it retains heat more, but it should solidify eventually. Shea butter and coconut oil are both solid at room temperature (below ~75 F), so they should revert back to that state, unless you added some crazy essential oil that had some kind of chemical reaction and made them both liquid… Not likely 🙂 Sorry I don’t have anything more helpful.
I had the same problem here in hot sunny australia with it not hardening. Once I let it cool to room temp I put it in the freezer for a few minutes then whipped it. Half way through whipping I put it back in the freezer for a couple more minutes and then continued whipping. Worked a treat!
Hi, what would the amount of the ingredients be in metric units? Thanks.
I’m not sure off the top of my head – a quick search should give you conversion tables. In the end, the actual measurements don’t matter too much – just keep the ratios the same!
can you use this on your face?I use coconut oil on my face but would the shey clog my pores?
I can’t speak for everyone of course, but I don’t have any problems using coconut oil on my face – I have fewer problems with my face now than I ever had using commercial face cleansers!
I am having problems finding a essential oil to work with the shea butter. The shea is too strong of a scent and is covering up the scents i add
Shea does definitely have a strong smell, but it shouldn’t be so strong that you can’t overcome it. Mine still has a hint of the shea (I only used a few drops) because it’s hard to mask completely, but it’s not too much of an issue. Either try an essential oil that has a more assertive scent of its own, or just try a couple extra drops. Or, you can swap out the shea butter for cocoa or mango butter.
Also if you use the refined Shea butter the scent is not as strong.
I’d love to make this as a gift for a few friends and I’m curious to know how many ounces does this recipe make? I see that you are using a total of 1 cup worth of ingredients. Does it only make 8oz or does it end up being more?!
-Thank you 🙂
Because it gets whipped up, it does make more, and generally will about double in volume, depending on how much you whip it up. I usually end up with just under two cups.
Out of curiosity, what does it smell like without essential oil? I myself like the shea and coconut smell
I didn’t put anything in the first time I made this and was perfectly happy with the scent. Totally personal preference!
I made 2 batches and the smell of it is overwhelming. It’s the Shea butter I guess. I am afraid to give it as a Christmas gift due to the smell. The first batch I added vanilla oil to it and the second batch I didn’t. Both smell weird. Any advice or should I toss it? I just ordered orange oil like you preferred.
Thank you.
I would guess it’s the shea butter – I wonder if different batches/sources smell stronger than others? My shea butter definitely has a smell to it if it’s pure, but when I add some other fragrances, I really didn’t notice it anymore. You can always melt it down, then add a few more drops of oil and whip it up again.
Many thanks. I’ll try that.
Hello. Well I had to throw it out. Too bad. The smell was making me sick. Yuck. Can you suggest another product to use to replace these butter? I had so much fun making it.
Thank you.
I’d give cocoa butter a shot – it performs the same and generally has a much more agreeable scent, even without anything added 🙂
Thanks for the directions! I’m adding zinc oxide and making a sunscreen!!
Great idea!
I didn’t have olive oil or almond oil so I used avocado oil and it’s been over an hour and it’s still not solidifying. Do you think it’s not solidifying because I didn’t use olive or almond oil? Am I out of luck? 🙁
I’m not sure at what temperature avocado oil solidifies, so I can’t really help – any oil should solidify if it gets cold enough.
can i use mustard oil i am a beginner
I don’t know if I’m allergic but for some reason coconut oil does not agree with my skin. I get small red bumps 🙁 So I’ve been making shea butter lotion but it’s hard texture. I searched everywhere online and there is basically no “pumpable” shea butter. I found one ozone layer lotion (no amazon reviews yet) that I’ve been using for a week and it has the correct ingredients.. only shea butter (no glycerin or coconut oil) and it pumps really well.
I’m glad I don’t have to make it at home anymore 🙂
How long is the shelf life on this body butter?
I usually go through mine in 3-4 months and it’s fine. The ingredients are all stable, so it should last for quite a while.
I was wondering why you warm the oils. I have found that if there is no wax everything incorporates really well.
So is there a reason.
I just find it easier to mix quickly if they’re warm (and thus, softer). If you can mix them without warming, by all means, go ahead!
Must I boil my essential oils with it? Example my lavender or frankincense.
Can’t I add it whilst am whipping it?
You’re not really boiling anything, just melting, so don’t get carried away on the stove… That being said, heat can break down some oils so they lose their potency, which is why I wait until later to add them. You certainly can add them in the beginning, just know that in some cases, the end result might not smell the way you think it should.
hi,,, does this smell like coconut because i just love that smell?
It will to some degree, depending on what else you add. If you add different essential oils, they’ll probably mask the coconut because it’s a pretty subtle smell.
I just did this today and I love the result. Mine was still in a liquid form after two hours, but when I transfered the liquid from a plastic container to a glass container, the mixture got solid in just a couple of minutes. A glass container may be the secret? Anyway, thank you a lot for this recipe! 🙂
I usually mix mine in metal, so I can’t speak for the plastic – maybe the glass dissipates the heat better? Glad you like it!
I’m praying you see this considering it’s from 2016 but why would my mixture be taking so long to harden?? It’s been like 4 hours….
How warm is it there? Coconut oil melts at about 76 F, so if it’s warmer than that, it might take a while (shea butter does have a higher melting point, so it should get more solid eventually). Toss it in the fridge for 10 minutes and see if that helps. If it’s just shea and coconut oil, it should solidify eventually.
I have found that if you add a few tsp of corn starch during the whipping process, it’s not quite as greasy.
I don’t understand why you need to melt the coconut oil and the shea butter. I’ve put the room temp/solid coconut oil and shea butter directly into the kitchen aide and whipped it up. Turned out beautifully. Also added essential oils.
You’re right, it’s not totally necessary, it just helps to ensure that everything is fully combined. If it’s warm where you are and things are relatively soft (in Ohio, coconut oil is pretty hard for much of the year!), you can certainly toss everything together without melting. It also helps to use a more powerful mixer in this case (I just use a hand mixer most of the time, so I need my ingredients to be on the softer side).
I just melted mine out in the sun – been over 100 for the last week here in AZ so I didn’t have to use my range – in the fridge now and I will whip it up and back into the fridge again to keep it so it won’t melt in the jar.
DId this melt for you after wards?
I am in sunny California and all my products are ruining in the heat.
I need a recipe that I can either keep in fridge or that will stay solid through the summer
It will be softer in the heat, but I’ve never refrigerated mine. It’ll get into the 90s here in the summer, but usually the bedroom where it’s stored doesn’t get above 80-82, and I’ve never had a problem with it actually melting (the shea butter helps keep it solid). You can certainly store it in the fridge, but unless your indoor temp gets into the 90s (and I’m sorry if it does!) or you store this where the sun can hit it, I’m surprised that it melts.
If I add a vanilla based scent will it turn brown? I do have a vanilla stabilizer for lotions.
i just made this without the olive/almond oil. cant wait to try it! Just wondering how long it will keep as you mentioned bacteria if water was used (i didnt use any water). Im based in the UK and we are hitting Autumn so temps are dropping.
Thanks
Mine lasts for months with no problems!
I’m gonna try this! Oh…I think the difference between body butters and lotions is that body butters tend to be very thick and heavy while lotions are lighter and more liquidy. With my dry skin, I always prefer the butters 🙂
I followed this recipe, but i think i used too much essential oils. any suggestions for diluting it out? i don’t have anymore shea but i have lots of coconut oil. would adding more coconut oil help? it’s also very greasy right now, i was afraid to use more oils.
Diluting it will be tough, unless you have more of everything. If you just have coconut oil, you can certainly dilute with that, but it will end up pretty greasy, depending on how much more you use. The shea is to balance that out. If you can get more shea sometime, you can always remelt everything and add some shea butter in.
Where can I buy Shea Butter? Please let me know.
I bought mine at a health food store. I couldn’t get my cream to firm peaks and the orange flavor didn’t come through. Could I add lavender at this point? It’s in jars.
Orange is kind of subtle (not as strong as lavender), so it may take more to shine through. If you can still work it in, you can add lavender now, otherwise it’ll just kind sit on the top (you could, I guess, work it into the top bit a little with your finger).
This is really amazing to get all these tips from your blog they are very useful for me. I will definitely try them . Thanks for sharing.
Hi. Thank you for the recipe; can’t wait to try it. Ingredients are on their way in the mail. I’m new to this… How do you feel about using vitamin E oil in the body cream, perhaps 5 drops? I’ve been reading about it and Vitamin E oil seems controversial. Some people have told me to rub vitamin E oil all over for stretch marks, for example. But then others say to not use it straight on the skin. Just wondering your thoughts. Thanks!
I personally don’t add vitamin E to any of my products, though it’s more because I don’t think it’s necessary, not because I think it’s bad. It’s a little heavier, so keep that in mind if you do add some. A few drops should be fine; most recipes I’ve seen that use it add up to a teaspoon. Totally your call!
Hi, can you use some of this body butter for the face like a night cream? I put in a few drops of lavender and tea tree oil.
Thanks!
I’d start with a pretty small amount for your face, but it can be used anywhere!
what size mason jar do people use with the above recipe?
I usually put it into a small jelly jar (4 oz size).
OMG! I found this body butter recipe last night and couldn’t wait to go shopping today. I made it this morning according to your directions – but used lemon essential oil; 15 drops. It worked up perfectly; looks like whipped cream. It is luscious!! Thank you so much for this.
Glad it worked out for you!
For everyone who didn’t end up with it whipping up fluffy you just need to keep whipping. I whipped for 20 minutes or more and it came together great.
I made this last night as I was struggling to retain moisture in my skin now that it’s air conditioner season (I’m on Australia, so almost Summer) and it’s fantastic! Covered myself in it last night and my skin is super soft this morning. So easy to make too! I just refridgerated for about an hour then hand whisked for 1-2 minutes. Thank you!
Love this recipe. I lost my original recipe, which was close to this. Measurements were just a little different. I live in California, not much humidity here at all and I am prone to dry skin. Even with all the water I drink, using only natural hygene/skin care products, and water softener. Though changing out to natural products helped a lot. I occasionally get eczema too. I do not mind that this is greasy, I find that it helps hydrate and moisturize my skin over a long period. I also do data entry for work, w/I this body butter my hands take a beating. To this recipe I add 1/2 a teaspoon of each ingredient, rose hip oil, prim rose oil, and vitamin e oil. I use a perfume oil that smells amazing. All my friends and family LOVE this body butter. At work everyone comes to me when they need lotion and all my family members ask for this in the winter, some of them live in Idaho, as well as my family who also have eczema. This body butter is a big hit! And all the women are in love with the fragrance I add.
I made this today, I followed the directions here except I used 1/8c of both olive and almond oil rather than 1/4c of one. I used a whisk which was a bit tiresome but it whipped up beautifully. It does feel a little greasy though, it wants to melt as soon as I touch it. I’ve seen other recipes that use a little cornstarch, has anyone tried this? How much to use and how and when to incorporate it?