Homemade Whipped Body Butter Recipe (+ free printable label!)
What we put on our bodies matters just as much as what we put in them. Often, we reach for the convenience of store-bought lotions, seduced by those labels that promise silky-smooth skin and amazing fragrances.
However, what if I told you there’s a more luxurious and nourishing alternative that you can easily whip up in your own kitchen? Enter homemade whipped body butter—a decadent treat for your skin that’s free from harsh chemicals and full of wholesome ingredients.
Let’s explore why homemade body butter trumps store-bought lotion and delve into a delightful recipe to pamper your skin.
Why Store-Bought Lotion Falls Short:
- Chemical Concerns: Many commercial lotions are filled with chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which can irritate sensitive skin and disrupt hormonal balance. These ingredients may provide short-term moisture but can lead to long-term damage.
- Artificial Moisturization: While store-bought lotions may initially give the illusion of soft, hydrated skin, they often contain water as the primary ingredient. Water-based formulas evaporate quickly, leaving the skin feeling dry and craving more moisture.
- Limited Nutrients: Mass-produced lotions often skimp on nutrient-rich oils and butters in favor of cheaper fillers. As a result, they offer minimal nourishment and fail to provide the deep hydration that our skin craves, especially during harsh weather conditions.
The Benefits of Homemade Whipped Body Butter:
- Pure Ingredients: Homemade body butter allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring that only the finest, natural components touch your skin. By using organic oils and butters, you can harness the healing power of nature without compromising on efficacy.
- Intensive Hydration: Unlike water-based lotions, homemade body butter is rich in emollient oils and moisturizing butters that penetrate deep into the skin, providing long-lasting hydration and a radiant glow. Ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil work together to replenish moisture and seal it in for hours of luxurious comfort.
- Customizable Formulation: One of the joys of making your own body butter is the ability to tailor the recipe to suit your skin’s unique needs and preferences. Whether you prefer a light, whipped texture or a rich, indulgent balm, you can adjust the ratios of oils and butters to achieve the perfect consistency. You can also decide on which, if any, essential oils you prefer.
Here are the ingredients I used in my homemade whipped body butter ⬇️
Shea butter and Almond Oil I purchased from Walmart dot com. Coconut oil I bought at Wegmans.
:: pin for later ::
How do I make homemade whipped body butter?
It’s simple! First thing you’ll need to do is melt the shea butter and coconut oil in a saucepan. This is really quick. Once it’s melted, stir in the cornstarch and mix until all the clumps are dissolved. Take the saucepan off the heat and mix in the almond oil and any essential oils. I like the smell of the almond oil, so I did not add essential oils.
Let this mixture cool a bit so it’s not hot, then put it in the fridge until it’s just starting to solidify. This will take an hour or two. If you end up starting to whip it and it is too runny and won’t get fluffy, just pop it back into the fridge and try again in a half hour.
Once it looks kind of like whipped cream like the photo below, it’s ready!
Now you can put it into a clean 1-cup jar and label it! The recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups, so you’ll need a 1/2 cup jar or container for the rest. Otherwise, you could double this recipe and end up with (3) 1-cup jars. Perfect for gifting!
Look how fluffy and creamy this ends up! I highly recommend using this body butter after a shower, letting it soak into your skin for a minute or two, then wiping the excess oil off.
Now for our free label that you can print and put on this: We have a Canva template for you (click the download button below) – this is great if you are adding or changing anything and need to edit the ingredient list. We also have the JPEG if you don’t need or want to edit the label at all. Both download buttons are right below the recipe.
These labels are 2.5″ diameter, so that’s the size of a small-mouth jar lid. If you are using one with a ring, you won’t see the decorative circle border, but it won’t hide any of the words. See my photo below comparing the two.
Print, cut, glue or tape onto the lid and you’re all set! (DOWNLOAD LINKS ARE BELOW)
⬇️ DOWNLOAD THE CANVA LINK OR THE LABEL ⬇️
Homemade Body Butter FAQ’s:
Equal parts almond oil and coconut oil, and double that amount for shea butter. We add a tablespoon of cornstarch so it’s not super-greasy. Adding essential oils is optional. It’s a simple recipe that is very flexible!
To keep body butter fluffy, start by whipping it at a semi-solid temperature, not too warm and not too cold. Use a hand or stand mixer with whisk attachments to incorporate air effectively. Whip the mixture on high speed until it achieves a creamy consistency, but avoid over-whipping to prevent it from becoming too stiff. Proper storage in clean, airtight jars in a cool, dark place maintains its texture.
Homemade body butter can turn greasy if the ratio of oils to butters is too high or if the mixture hasn’t been properly emulsified. Overheating the ingredients during melting can also cause separation, resulting in a greasy texture. We add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to our recipe, and if you follow our recipe, it shouldn’t be as greasy as some. However, it is “butter” with healthy oils as the base, so it is supposed to be oily in order to nourish your skin. I recommend using it after your shower, letting it soak in, then wiping any excess oil off.
Body butter thickens primarily due to the natural properties of its ingredients. Shea butter has a high concentration of fatty acids and natural emollients that solidify at room temperature. Coconut oil, another key ingredient, also solidifies at cooler temperatures, contributing to the thick consistency. Cooling the mixture after melting helps it solidify, while whipping it aerates the mixture, creating a thicker texture. Overall, the combination of these ingredients and proper cooling techniques leads to a thickened body butter.
Whipped Body Butter Recipe
A natural way to soften and nourish your skin
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1 T. cornstarch
- 10-15 drops of essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt the shea butter and coconut oil until liquefied.
- Add cornstarch and stir until dissolved (keep stirring, the clumps will dissolve).
- Remove from heat and stir in the sweet almond oil and essential oils, if using.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then transfer it to the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until it begins to solidify around the edges.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the semi-solid mixture on high speed until light and fluffy, resembling whipped cream.
- Spoon the whipped body butter into clean, airtight jars.
- Print our “Whipped Body Butter” label to put on jar lids.
- Store body butter in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate in warm climates where it may melt.
Notes
I highly recommend using this body butter after a shower, letting it soak into your skin for a minute or two, then wiping the excess oil off.
By embracing the art of homemade skincare, you are giving your body the benefit of natural ingredients. So, the next time you reach for a lotion bottle, consider making this homemade whipped body butter —a great choice for your skin!