I love body butters! Body butters are blends of various oils that are made from beans, nuts, or seeds/kernels.
Butters can be applied to the skin directly or blended with essential oils etc., to address issues of dryness, peeling, itching, cracking and roughness. Butters are reputed to promote skin health while contributing rejuvenating and regenerative properties.
SOME BUTTER TYPES AND POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Nut Butter – Shea
- Hydrates
- May help reduce the appearance of blemishes, scars, and cellulite
- Soothes irritated skin
- Softens and smooths the skin
- Good for most skin types
Seed Butter/Kernel - Mango, Babassu, Kokum
- Moisturizes without being greasy
- Promotes the look of plump and firm skin
- Rejuvenates the skin and may help reduce wrinkles and fine lines
- Good for dry, itchy, flaky skin
- Helps balances oil production
- Good for all skin types, especially oily skin
Bean Butter – Cocoa
- Nourishes, softens, and moisturizes skin
- May help even out skin tone
- Protect skin against the harsh effects of environmental elements
You should not use a butter if you are allergic to it. We always recommend a patch test on the inner arm to test for sensitivities. You should also not use nut butters if you are allergic to nuts.
Here's a basic recipe to get you started in making your own.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil (or sweet almond oil)
- 1/3 cup shea butter
- 1/3 cup cocoa butter
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 20 drops of your favorite essential oils
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients except the essential oils in a heat safe bowl.
- Melt them using a double boiler or over a pan of boiling water and stir until everything is completely melted.
- Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool down for about 10 minutes, then add your essential oils. Stir again and put the bowl in the fridge for about 1 hour.
- After an hour, remove the bowl from the fridge and start whipping the mixture using a hand mixer for about 1-3 minutes.
- Spoon your mixture it into a glass jar or container.
- This will make about 1 - 1 1/4 cup of homemade whipped body butter
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place
For direct application to the skin, the ideal time to use butters for optimal absorption is when skin is damp after a shower. Additionally, butters can be applied to skin just before sleeping.
Most natural butters melt on skin contact and will be absorbed quickly and you do not need a large amount. It is best to start with a pea-size amount - you can always add more.
NOTE: Cosmetic butters should not be ingested and should not be stored within the reach of children, in case of accidental ingestion.