FEATURED COMMENT:
I made this yesterday! It feels lovely on my skin -- very hydrating. My skin feels so soft! - Cindy
Common Questions:
What oils are best for body butter?
Inspired by the body butters from The Body Shop, I used a combination of shea butter and cocoa butter for the base. are used for their deep moisturizing properties, ability to nourish the skin with vitamins and antioxidants and delightful natural fragrance. They leave the skin hydrated, soft, and indulgently pampered. Because both shea and cocoa are solid at room temperature, you need an oil that is liquid at room temperature to soften the mixture and make it spreadable. For my liquid oil, I like to use jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, or sunflower seed oil. See below for the benefits of each. They all have different benefits and range in price.What oil to use:
- Jojoba Oil: Known for its similarity to the skin's natural sebum, jojoba oil moisturizes, soothes, and balances the skin, making it suitable for various skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.
- Grapeseed Oil: Lightweight and non-comedogenic, grapeseed oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, helping to moisturize, tighten, and tone the skin while supporting its natural collagen production.
- Coconut Oil: With its moisturizing properties, coconut oil can nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it soft and supple. It also has antimicrobial properties that may be beneficial for certain skin conditions, although it can be comedogenic for some individuals, meaning it may clog pores and lead to breakouts. Unrefined coconut oil has a strong coconut smell whereas refined coconut oil is scentless, so if you do not want a coconut smell use refined coconut oil. This oil will also make your body butter quite firm in cooler temperatures.
- Almond Oil: Almond oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, making it a great emollient and moisturizer for the skin. It can help improve complexion, reduce inflammation, and soothe dry and irritated skin.
- Olive Oil: A versatile oil with antioxidants and fatty acids, olive oil provides moisturizing benefits, helps protect against free radicals, and can aid in improving skin elasticity. It is commonly used for dry or mature skin. It is a heavier oil that may not suit all skin types. For individuals with oily or acne-prone skin, using olive oil may potentially clog pores and cause breakouts.
- Sunflower Seed Oil: Rich in vitamins A, D, and E, sunflower seed oil helps retain moisture, soothes and calms the skin, and can assist in enhancing the skin's natural barrier function, making it suitable for dry and sensitive skin.
How do you make body butter soft and fluffy?
The oils are first melted together and then chilled. Once chilled you can use an electric mixer or hand whisk to whip the mixture and incorporate air. This will make it soft and fluffy.How to make body butter not so greasy?
Adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca starch will help the body butter feel less greasy. I also find applying it directly after showering and letting it sink into your skin for a few minutes helps it absorb and not feel greasy.What does homemade body butter smell like?
It depends on what oils you choose to use. Shea butter has a mild, nutty aroma and cocoa butter smells like white chocolate. Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, refined coconut oil, and sunflower seed oil are odorless, so if you use one of these oils in your mixture you can expect the body butter to smell only of the shea and cocoa butter. It will be a very mild nutty chocolatey fragrance. Unrefined coconut oil smells of coconut, olive oil smells of olives, and almond oil smells nutty, so if you choose to one of these oils they will add to the fragrance. If you like, you can additionally add a small amount of essential oil to add a custom fragrance. My preference is a vanilla essential oil, but you could use any essential oil you like such as lavender, orange, lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, ylang-ylang, geranium, frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary, cedarwood, or bergamot. You can even get creative and try different essential oil blends. If you want to experiment with different scents I recommend getting an essential oil set with many different oils.
How to make easy homemade body butter:
Step 1: You can either use a double boiler, or the microwave to melt the oils. Double boiler method: Use a double boiler or place a heatproof bowl on top of a pot filled with a couple of inches of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water. To the bowl, add the shea butter, cocoa butter, and oil of choice.
Gently melt all the ingredients together using a spatula to stir them every now and then. Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat and place it in the fridge to cool for about 45 - 60 minutes.
Microwave method: If you prefer you can use the microwave to make homemade body butter instead of the double boiler. To a large microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl, add the shea butter, cocoa butter, and oil of choice. Melt the ingredients together in the microwave in 20-second increments, stopping to stir, and being very careful not to burn or overheat the oil. Pour the melted oils into the bowl of your stand mixer or another large heat-proof bowl, then place the bowl in the fridge to cool for about 45 - 60 minutes.
Step 2: Whip the body butter:
You will know the oils have chilled long enough and are ready for whipping when the oils around the edges of the bowl are solid but it is still a bit melty in the middle.
Now to the bowl add the starch, and essential oil. I like to start with 10 drops of essential oil and then add more as needed if I want the scent to be stronger.
Use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or whisk to whip the body butter until it is a fluffy texture and lightens in color.
Transfer the body butter to a sealable jar. I like to store my body butter at room temperature, but if it is a hot summer day you may want to store it in the fridge as it can melt at about 90℉ (32℃).
This easy homemade body butter is...
- super rich and moisturizing
- all-natural (just easy 5 ingredients)
- smells amazing (I literally had people asking me what scent I was wearing)!
(click stars to vote)
Easy Homemade Body Butter
Make your own Easy Homemade Body Butter! This DIY body butter recipe is just 5 ingredients to make and it's incredibly thick and moisturizing. Pamper yourself and your skin with this natural luxurious treat that will leave you feeling soft, nourished, and revitalized. Your skin will thank you! This recipe also makes a wonderful homemade gift!
Servings: large tub of body butter (about 1 ¼ cups)
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Ingredients
- ½ cup (3.4 oz) shea butter
- ½ cup (2.1 oz) cocoa butter
- ½ cup jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, or sunflower seed oil, (see notes for info about each oil)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, arrowroot starch, or tapioca starch
- 10 - 30 drops essential oil of choice, (optional) (I used this vanilla essential oil)
Instructions
Step 1: You can either use a double boiler, or the microwave to melt the oils.
Double boiler method:
- Use a double boiler or place a heatproof bowl on top of a pot filled with a couple of inches of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water. To the bowl, add the shea butter, cocoa butter, and oil of choice.
- Gently melt all the ingredients together using a spatula to stir them every now and then. Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat and place it in the fridge to cool for about 45 - 60 minutes.
Microwave method:
- If you prefer you can use the microwave instead of the double boiler. To a large microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl, add the shea butter, cocoa butter, and oil of choice. Melt the ingredients together in the microwave in 20-second increments, stopping to stir, and being very careful not to burn or overheat the oil. Pour the melted oils into the bowl of your stand mixer or another large heat-proof bowl, then place the bowl in the fridge to cool for about 45 - 60 minutes.
Step 2: Whip the body butter:
- You will know the oils have chilled long enough and are ready for whipping when the oils around the edges of the bowl are solid but it is still a bit melty in the middle.
- Now to the bowl add the starch, and essential oil. I like to start with 10 drops of essential oil and then add more as needed if I want the scent to be stronger. Use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or whisk to whip the body butter until it is fluffy and lightens in color.
- Transfer the body butter to a sealable jar. I like to store my body butter at room temperature, but if it is a hot summer day you may want to store it in the fridge as it can melt at about 90℉ (32℃). It should keep for up to 1 year.For optimal results, I recommended applying this body butter immediately after showering. Allow it to absorb into your skin for a few minutes before getting dressed. I prefer to use it before bedtime and wear cotton pyjamas so that I wake up with soft and moisturized skin.
Notes
What oil to use:
Jojoba Oil: Known for its similarity to the skin's natural sebum, jojoba oil moisturizes, soothes, and balances the skin, making it suitable for various skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. Grapeseed Oil: Lightweight and non-comedogenic, grapeseed oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, helping to moisturize, tighten, and tone the skin while supporting its natural collagen production. Coconut Oil: With its moisturizing properties, coconut oil can nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it soft and supple. It also has antimicrobial properties that may be beneficial for certain skin conditions, although it can be comedogenic for some individuals, meaning it may clog pores and lead to breakouts. Unrefined coconut oil has a strong coconut smell whereas refined coconut oil is scentless, so if you do not want a coconut smell use refined coconut oil. This oil will also make your body butter quite firm in cooler temperatures. Almond Oil: Almond oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, making it a great emollient and moisturizer for the skin. It can help improve complexion, reduce inflammation, and soothe dry and irritated skin. Olive Oil: A versatile oil with antioxidants and fatty acids, olive oil provides moisturizing benefits, helps protect against free radicals, and can aid in improving skin elasticity. It is commonly used for dry or mature skin. It is a heavier oil that may not suit all skin types. For individuals with oily or acne-prone skin, using olive oil may potentially clog pores and cause breakouts. Sunflower Seed Oil: Rich in vitamins A, D, and E, sunflower seed oil helps retain moisture, soothes and calms the skin, and can assist in enhancing the skin's natural barrier function, making it suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Insta and let the world see just how amazing plant-based creations can be!
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Kelly says
Absolutely love this recipe and receive great reviews when I give as a gift!! I am making gifts for Christmas using P&J Forest Pine and Mistletoe essential oils!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Oh that sounds lovely! I'm so thrilled you love this recipe so much, Kelly! Thank you for the review 🙂
Danielle says
i have a question about the scent. I added the recommended amount of essential oils, but all I can smell is the shea butter, which isn't terrible, but I want a particular fragrance. How much oil should I add to a double batch to overcome the shea butter smell?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Danielle, The intensity of essential oils can vary depending on the brand, type of oil, and personal scent preferences. The recipe suggests 10–30 drops of essential oil, allowing you to adjust based on your preferred scent level. If the shea butter aroma is still dominant, feel free to add a few more drops of your chosen essential oil to achieve the fragrance you’re aiming for. Just add them gradually, stirring well between additions, until you’re satisfied with the scent. I hope that helps!
Amy says
how much does it make I'm also doing as Christmas present and need to make 14 8 oz mason jars
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Amy, an 8 oz jar holds 1 cup. So to fill 14 jars you would need 14 cups of body butter. The recipe makes 1 1/4 cups. So you would need to make 11 - 12 batches to get enough to fill each jar all they way to the top. You could also select a smaller jar such as a 4 oz mason jar which would require only about 6 batches to fill the jars. I hope that helps!
Jude says
Mine became hard and hard to use. Anyone else experience this? How to keep it body butter consistency??
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Jude, this can happen if the room is a bit cool or if you used an oil like coconut oil, which hardens at lower temperatures. To keep it softer, try adding a bit more liquid oil (like jojoba or grapeseed oil) to the mix next time. You can also warm it in your hands before applying to soften it up!
Lynn says
What an amazing body butter! Easey-peasey! I am going to use it for face, too, and add some copper peptides to it. I added many different essential oils and I used castor and coconut oil as the oil ingredient. Also used xanthan gum instead of cornstarch. Only use a pinch though because it makes it super thick!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you enjoyed it Lynn!! 🙂
Jax says
Can you use mango butter instead of cocoa butter?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Jax, sorry for the delay in response! Absolutely! Mango butter can be a great substitute for cocoa butter. It’s lightweight, absorbs well, and still provides that rich, moisturizing feel. Just keep in mind it has a slightly different texture and scent, so it may make the body butter a bit softer and change the final fragrance.
Grace says
I made this yesterday with a few changes. I did not have cocoa butter so used the whole cup of Shea Butter instead and added a third of Coconut oil to the oil mix. I did not have Yarrow Flour and used Tapioca Starch instead. I used Lavender and Geranium Oil Essential oils for fragrance. It's lovely! So rich and soft for smoothing my very dry skin. Thanks for the recipe. Grace from Australia.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That sounds like a beautiful scent combination!
Sylvia says
I’ve made this recipe a few times and I love it. I’ve even swapped out the jojoba oil for Blackseed oil in my last batch. I’m wondering what I can use as preservative.
Victoria Cowell says
Hi there! Just made this. Any tips on how to make it less great! Great recipe over all and nice and easy to follow along
Elle says
Is Arrowroot starch the same as Arrowroot Powder??
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes, it's the same!
Carol says
Love this
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! Thank you 🙂
Nella says
What is the use of this body butter, can you use it on your lip, hair, skin, cuticles and other places also, or is it specifically for your skin?
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
This recipe is best for skin!
Catherine says
Thanks, Sam. Love this. Old person, and shrivelling! So it's great!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! So happy you like it 🙂
Emily says
Hi Sam!
What jar do you use to store this in?
I can only find small ones.
Thanks!
Emily
Sam Turnbull says
I used these jars: https://amzn.to/3YevtRY Hope that helps!
Cindy says
I made this yesterday! It feels lovely on my skin -- very hydrating. My skin feels so soft! One question, though, on how long to whip the butter. Should it form "peaks?" How do you know when it's whipped long enough?
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you love it Cindy! It will form peaks. You can tell it's ready when it lightens in color. take 2 - 3 minutes 🙂
Snežana Žilić-Mijić says
SUPER LAKO ZA NAPRAVITI
Kay says
🙂 Low Oleic sunflower oil is the least likely to clog pores. High Oleic is of course the easiest one to find. Fractionated coconut oil won't get hard (that's the one that stays liquid), however, it might be missing the antimicrobial action (depending on which articles you read). If allergic to any type of nut, try a little almond oil on your skin (small area) for a couple days to see if you react, before making a nice big batch. Actually, if you have any allergies at all that might be a good idea. I have no nut allergies at all but cannot use almond oil, on my skin or just breathing near it, react to both. But I can eat almonds and all other nuts, no problem! Just an fyi. Happy moisturizing! (Hmm, that sounds a little weird... lol.) For a similar recipe for sunburn, add some raw honey, peppermint essential oil - optional, and some prepared (not fresh!) aloe. I keep it in the fridge and just stir it back together if it separates. (Prepared aloe: the kind from the store with preservatives. Dye free if possible. If you use fresh you will have to keep it in the fridge, and replace every 3-5 days. Cause it will mold.)
Kay says
To clarify, for the sunburn butter, you add those ingredients to the above recipe. Or you can stir them into a store bought cocoa lotion for a shortcut, if there is one you can use. I think for my initial batch after a nasty burn, using what I had on hand, I just mixed the aloe, honey, vitamin E oil, liquid coconut oil, and some of Palmer's fragrance free cocoa lotion (which is no longer fragrance free, grrr), all together. Then whisked till it was all light and fluffy. I'll have to try the cornstarch idea, it was definitely a bit too greasy. 🙂
Leanne says
wow, cool recipe! I also have super sensitive skin & it's tough to find good products. can't wait to whip up a batch! thanks so much ❤️
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! I hope your skin loves it as much as mine does 🙂
Megan says
I am so excited to try this recipe! I might have missed this, but how long will this keep?
Thank you!!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you're excited!! Depending on the type of oil you use, it will last likely up to 1 year! Maybe even more. Enjoy!
Megan says
Fabulous! Thank you so much, Sam!