After making this whipped body butter, you may never want to use store-bought lotions again. I keep shea butter on hand just so I can make this three ingredient body butter whenever I need it.

Moisturizing Body Butter makes a wonderful gift. I make a double batch and keep it in my refrigerator to give as needed. My friends and loved ones have enjoyed receiving this handmade gift. 

Having an alternative to store-bought products, which may contain toxins, was my motivation for making my own skin care products. I’ve quickly discovered my own products are superior to the store-bought ones. As an added bonus, it’s less expensive and easy to make.

Ingredients

Shea butter – Extracted from the shea tree nut, shea butter has a very low risk of causing an allergic reaction even to those that have a nut allergy. According to healthline, there are very few tree-nut proteins in shea butter that trigger an allergic reaction. 

The high content of fatty acids and vitamins make this a healing anti-aging product. Shea butter is best known for it’s moisturizing effects.   It contains high levels of linoleic acid and oleic acid which are easy for your skin to absorb and won’t make your skin oily after application.  

Here are some other great properties in shea butter:

• It’s anti-inflammatory
• It contains antioxidants
• It’s antibacterial
• It’s antifungal
• It helps promote cell regeneration
• It helps boost collagen production
• It offers added sun protections
• It can help promote wound healing

I’ve purchased this shea butter on Amazon. 1lb 100% African Shea Butter from Ghana by Natural Farms

Coconut oil – Having similar healing properties to shea butter, adding coconut oil to your body butter boosts the healing benefits. According to this healthline article, coconut oil helps with the following:

• Skin irritations and eczema 
• Moisturizes skin
• Treats skin infections and fights fungus
• Anti Inflammatory and improves wound healing
• Improves cuticles and hangnails 
• Soothes chapped lips 
• Protects skin from UV rays from the sun.  Note, coconut oil gives 20% protection vs. 90% from sunscreen.

I purchase cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil from Costco. 

Vitamin E Oil – Adding a teaspoon of Vitamin E oil is optional.  Vitamin E is an antioxidant and helps preserve your body butter.  I store my Moisturizing Body Butter in small containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.  Unrefrigerated body butter will keep for 3 – 6 months.  

The natural fragrance of coconut plus essential oils of lavender and peppermint make a lovely sweet minty scent. These essential oils will aid in relaxation and may be helpful in easing headaches according to verywell health.  This calming combination is wonderful for this winter season.

Moisturizing Body Butter absorbs quickly into the skin.  It may seem greasy at first, but in no time your skin will feel smooth and soft.  I apply body butter at night before I go to bed and to my hands throughout the day.

How to Make

1. Melting your oils together will ensure everything is well combined.  
2. After melting, let the mixture cool a bit and place it in a freezer until the oils start to harden again.  
3. Add the semi-solid oils to a mixer and whip for several minutes. 

This is a very forgiving recipe.  If you leave the oil in the freezer too long, just let it thaw on the counter before whipping. If it is too runny and doesn’t whip well, put the oil mixture back in the freezer for a few minutes to harden, then whip again.  

You can store your body butter in these small metal tins on Amazon. Cornucopia 2oz Metal Tins/Candle Tins (24-Pack); Tiny Round Metal Containers with Slip-On Lids for Party Favors, Candle Making, Spices & Gifts

Using How to Make My Favorite Bath Salts and Quick & Easy DIY Exfoliating Honey Sugar Scrub with this Moisturizing Body Butter makes a wonderful healing combination.

Moisturizing Body Butter

Ingredients

1 cup shea butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tsp. Vitamin E oil
20 drops Lavender essential oil
15 drops Peppermint essential oil

Directions

1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil together over low heat.
   
2. Let the pan cool and place in the freezer until the oils begin to harden.
   
3. Add the semi-solid oils, Vitamin E oil, and essentials oils to a mixer and whip on high. Scrap the sides of the bowl to make sure all the ingredients are fully mixed.
   
4. Spoon body butter into a ziplock bag, seal, clip off one corner and squeeze into metal tin or a container of your choice.