Homemade Body Butter
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A simple homemade body butter that works great for shaving your legs too.
A couple of weeks ago I ran across an article about additives in cosmetics and skin care products that was quite disturbing. Of course, I freaked a tad and thought about tossing everything in our home. After I calmed down, I decided to chill out and take a gradual approach, beginning by making some homemade versions to use. I started with what we had in our home, specifically our kitchen. My thinking is if I put in in my body I should be okay with putting in on my body.
I began by creating a body butter of sorts with only three ingredients we usually have on hand: coconut oil, honey, and citrus. A simple mixing of the three created a fresh, smooth cream that I’ve used to shave my legs, as well as a moisturizer for really dry areas, especially my dry, cracked cuticles. OR add a spoonful to some hot tea (Carrie from La Pomme de Portland recently share that handy tip).
*Please note, since this homemade body butter does not contain preservatives it is intended for use within a week or less when covered and stored in a cool dry place. The recipe shared below makes a bunch, so consider splitting it with friends or dividing the amounts used to be able to use within a week. If a longer shelf life is desired, look into using an oil soluble preservative and replacing the fresh citrus zest with an essential oil.*
As I said, I’ve primarily been using it to shave my legs. While there’s no lather, it’s pretty cool, because once I’m out of the shower or bath, my legs are already moisturized with no need for anything else. Very handy dandy, indeed. It can also be added by the spoonfuls to a hot bath as a bath oil/moisturizer.
Coconut oil and honey alone have so many healthful benefits, so just imagine what combining the two will do for your skin, without all of the junkity junk so many other skin care products can have. Be sure to check the notes below, and if you try this one soon, let me know what you think!
A few notes:
– Recipe is intended for using within a week. For longer shelf life, delete citrus zest, store tightly covered in a refrigerator, and consider using an oil soluble preservative.
– Store covered tightly in a cool dry place.
– Note that Coconut Oil is used for this recipe, not coconut milk, or coconut water.
– Primarily I’ve been using this as a shaving cream for legs, and moisturizer for dry areas like elbows, cuticles, and feet, as well as an addition to bath water. I’ve called it a body butter for lack of a better term, so test on others areas before using as an all-over body moisturizer.
– For this batch I added the zest of grapefruit for a fresh scent, but any citrus zest will do, or a favorite essential oil added to your preference could be substituted. Just imagine the wonderful combination of scents you could create!
– The “recipe” below makes a large amount, which is perfect for splitting with a friend, or having some to keep in the kitchen and bath to keep those cuticles nice and hydrated.
– Although mixture starts out soft, it will firm up, solidifying more after a day or so.
– Be aware that since it’s an oil base it can make the shower floor or tub quite slippery, so be careful!
– Since there is citrus zest in the mixture, there may be little pieces of zest that you will need to wipe off. Essential oil can also be used for scent.
How to make Homemade Body Butter:
- 1 1/2 cups of coconut oil measured as solid
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons zest of grapefruit or other citrus (substitute essential oil to preference)
- Mix all together until combined and smooth.
- Transfer to a container and cover.
How do you store it after it is made so that it doesnt separate and liquefie
Thanks
Hey Alicia,
I keep mine at room temperature and it doesn’t separate. Coconut oil is pretty thick at room temperature.
I did as u suggest and it liquefied at room temp. The honey is at the bottom of the container and the coconut oil is on top the only way it will get solidmis if I put it in the fridge.
Alicia,
I’m not sure what may be causing that. Are you heating the coconut oil up? Are you using coconut oil that is a solidified when you begin? It shouldn’t be liquidfied at any point of the process unless it’s hot. Is your room temperature hot? If you could share what ingredients and other details of what you may be doing, I may be able to help. Otherwise, I’m at a loss of why it is liquefied.
I use the coconut oil straight from the jar solidified all measurments are followed to the letter, mixed as instruction says to and when done it looks just like the pic but a few hrs later it started to liquefied , stored it in the bathroom under the sink.
Coconut oil melts at 76*F. If the room you are in is warmer than this, it will definitely melt. I keep mine in the bathroom and in the Summer months, it’s liquified, and in the Winter it stays a solid.
Hi Alicia, the room temperature may be hot. I have both hard and liquid coconut oils, and the hard coconut oil will liquify if the environment is warm. I think (don’t quote me) the liquifying point is above 76 degrees fahrenheit, or something like that. If you keep it in a room that is relatively cool, then it will solidify; if you keep it in a warm environment, it will liquify. Tamara
hi Ms. Amy what if i don’t have a coconut oil solid can i use a coconut oil liquid?! it’s still works?
Hi, are you speaking of fractionated coconut oil? If so, I do not believe it will work because the recipe needs to thicken up. Try adding some beeswax; the beeswax will harden it and will probably suit your needs. I am an organic body care student and I am playing around with many recipes. I have fun playing around and trying things out. Good luck. Tamara 🙂
Hi, I made this today and it came out a little stick; I added a few more teaspoons of coconut oil and it is perfect now! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I am looking forward to having a lot of fun making more. Blessings, Tamara 🙂
Oops, I meant to say a little “sticky”, now a little stick. hahahahahaha 🙂 Tamara
It seems some people say the honey makes the butter too sticky whereas others say the consistency is just right. It makes me wonder about the quality of honey being used. The big thing lately in health magazines, articles, blogs, etc is how some big company manufacturers are selling honey that is not truly honey, rather it is high crustose corn syrup sold as honey. So my thought is perhaps the recipes turning out too sticky may not be made with a local or natural honey. Raw honey has been used for centuries on the body for various reasons. Maybe it is fraudulent product that is not truly honey that is the cuprit here? Just my thoughts…
Hey Tami,
That’s a good point. I used honey from our hives, so it’s a bit different from most found in stores, for sure. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
How long does this last for? I’m planning on making some for christmas gifts to my best friends, but i want to try it now and see how it works….. will it go bad?
What can be used instead of coconut oil? I break out badly from it!
Try 1 c. Shea butter and 1/2 c. safflower or grapeseed oil (both have good vitamin E content).
I just use straight coconut oil to shave with and after a shower and on my hands throughout the day. The body butter does sound great though.
What can I use instead of coconut?
Just came across this on Pinterest. Gonna make this soon.
I have been using white Sugar mixed with Coconut oil to scrub and it feels wonderful and leaves your skin exfoliated and hydrated.
Just made a tiny amount of this to test before making for christmas presents-it is so lovely!! Will definitely be making this as gifts this year!
I tried this with 1/2 cup c.o. and 1 tbsp honey and 5 drops lemon e.o. I did find it a little sticky but <3 this. My face feels awesome! I have a burn on my hand so I will be using this every day to see if it helps. Ty
That seems like a pretty short list compared to the huge list of harmful chemicals in anything you buy at the store. Just sayin.
Marie, it was a suggestion
Hi, this may sounds like a silly question. But I can’t seem to find a solid coconut oil in Thailand where I live I start to wonder if there is a coconut oil in solid form available. I remember putting a bottle of liquid coconut oil in an air-con room and in the morning it turned solid. I am not sure if it’s the same thing, or can I use the liquid-turned-solid-coconut oil in this recipe. If I can use it, is it mean that I have to store it in the fridge? In Thailand the average temperature is above 30c.
thank you
I have coconut oil at home, but it is solid as a rock. Should I melt it a little and then whip it? Or should I just measure it out and mix it in a mixer until it gets creamy?
Just measure it out and mix it up! It will soften up as you go.
Thanks a lot. Your post was very helpful.
Hi Amy! I made this today and I used essential oil instead and it came out sticky. How much essential oil do I need to use in place of the zest?
I’m not exactly sure how much to substitute, but I’d try a very little at a time, then test, and add more if needed.
Thanks for sharing.. For me there are many benefits linked with using all natural skincare products, from improving the health of your skin to contributing to a safer environment. 🙂 Keep sharing.
Was wondering if anyone had problems with this clogging their pipes? Since it is an oil I was just thinking over time of it going down the drain will it cause it to clog?