Making Fragrant Whipped Body Butter At Home

Creating your own whipped body butter is a fun and rewarding process that can be done at home. You can make your own body butter using a combination of solid carrier oils or butter, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, or mango butter, and liquid carrier oils, like almond oil or coconut oil. Once you've melted and whipped these ingredients together, you can add your choice of fragrance, such as essential oils or fragrance oils, to give your body butter a pleasant scent. It's important to work with clean tools and sanitized hands when creating body butter, and you should store your final product in a clean, airtight jar. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can make a luxurious and moisturizing body butter that's perfect for nourishing and protecting your skin.

What are the benefits of shea body butter?

Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which is native to West Africa. It has been used as a cosmetic ingredient for centuries and is known for its high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, as well as its easy-to-spread consistency. Here are some of the benefits of shea body butter:

Moisturising

Shea butter is an excellent moisturiser due to its fatty acid content, which includes linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids. When applied to the skin, these oils are rapidly absorbed, acting as a "refatting" agent that restores lipids and creates moisture. This helps to relieve dry skin and can be especially beneficial for those with dry, reactive skin.

Non-greasy

Unlike some other oils, shea butter contains high levels of linoleic acid and oleic acid, which balance each other out. This allows the skin to fully absorb the butter without leaving a greasy or oily residue.

Anti-inflammatory

The plant esters in shea butter have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to minimise skin irritation caused by environmental factors such as dry weather, as well as inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. It also contains substances that can reduce skin swelling associated with conditions like eczema.

Antioxidant

Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, which have strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are important anti-ageing agents as they protect skin cells from free radicals that can lead to premature ageing and dull-looking skin. Vitamin A, in particular, is crucial for skin health and can help to firm skin and reduce wrinkles.

Antibacterial and antifungal

Shea butter has antibacterial properties, and some studies suggest that it may also have antifungal benefits, effectively fighting skin infections caused by fungi.

May help prevent acne

The unique composition of fatty acids in shea butter helps to clear excess oil (sebum) from the skin while restoring and locking in moisture. This can help to restore the natural balance of oils in the skin, preventing acne before it starts.

Promotes collagen production

Shea butter contains triterpenes, which are thought to deactivate collagen fibre destruction, minimising the appearance of fine lines and resulting in plumper, more youthful-looking skin.

Promotes cell regeneration

The moisturising and antioxidant properties of shea butter work together to promote the generation of healthy new skin cells. This can help to improve the skin's texture and appearance, giving it a radiant, glowing look.

May help reduce stretch marks and scarring

Shea butter is believed to stop the reproduction of keloid fibroblasts (scar tissue) while encouraging healthy cell growth in their place. This may help to minimise the appearance of stretch marks and scars, promoting smoother, more even-toned skin.

Safe for all skin types

Although shea butter is technically a tree nut product, it is very low in the proteins that can trigger allergies. There is no medical literature documenting an allergy to topical shea butter, and it is even safe for people with nut allergies. It does not contain chemical irritants that can dry out the skin and is suitable for all skin types.

What ingredients do I need?

The ingredients you need to make a whipped body butter depend on the type of butter you want to make. For example, a simple whipped shea butter can be made using shea butter and essential oil. However, if you want to make a more complex butter, you will need a combination of solid and liquid ingredients.

Solid Ingredients

Solid ingredients make up the majority of a whipped body butter recipe. These include:

• Shea butter – Shea butter has the perfect texture for whipped body butters as it is not too soft or too hard. It can be used alone or in blends.
• Cocoa butter, kokum butter, and illipe butter – These butters have extra-hard textures and can be used alone but will produce a slightly firmer texture than desired. Try blending them with softer butters or a tiny amount of liquid carrier oil.
• Mango butter, cupuacu butter, and murumuru butter – These butters are a little softer than shea butter and won't work well on their own. Try adding a tiny bit of wax or a harder butter to your recipe to firm it up.
• Coconut oil, babassu oil, monoi de Tahiti oil, and organic virgin coconut cream oil – These carrier oils are solid at room temperature but will melt immediately upon skin contact or exposure to higher temperatures. They need to be blended with harder butters and/or wax to maintain the right texture.
• Aloe butter, avocado butter, coffee bean butter, hemp seed butter, macadamia butter, olive butter, pistachio butter, and sweet almond butter – These butters are extra soft and cannot be used alone as they will not set with a firm enough texture. They need to be blended with a large portion of hard butters and/or waxes.

Liquid Ingredients

You can also add liquid carrier oils to your whipped body butter. These include:

• Fractionated coconut oil – This is the kind that stays liquid when chilled.
• Sweet almond oil, hemp seed oil, chia seed oil, kukui nut oil, and pumpkin seed oil – These are medium oils that absorb into the skin more quickly.
• Rice bran oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, watermelon seed oil, macadamia nut oil, and rosehip seed oil – These are light oils that soak into the skin more quickly, making the body butter feel less greasy.

Other Ingredients

You can also add the following ingredients to improve the texture, slip, and longevity of your recipe:

• Waxes – These help reinforce whipped butters, making them firmer, sturdier, and stickier. Be careful not to add too much wax, as this can give your recipe a texture more similar to a balm than a butter. Recommended waxes include jojoba esters, beeswax, and candelilla wax.
• Cornstarch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder – These can be used to decrease the greasiness of a body butter and help make the texture more pleasant. They should be added at a ratio of around 1 teaspoon per 1-2 ounces of the main ingredient.
• Silk powder – This is another ingredient used to enhance the slip of body butter. It can be added at a rate of 1-5% of the total recipe.
• Antioxidants – Since whipped body butters do not contain water, adding a preservative is not necessary. However, many formulators choose to include an antioxidant to help keep the oils and butters in the recipe from oxidizing or going rancid prematurely. Recommended antioxidants include vitamin E and rosemary oil extract.

How do I make the body butter?

Making your own body butter is a fun and rewarding experience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own whipped body butter at home:

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients. The basic ingredients for a simple whipped body butter include:

• A solid carrier oil or butter such as shea butter, cocoa butter, kokum butter, or illipe butter.
• A liquid carrier oil such as almond oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil.
• Optional additives like essential oils, fragrance oils, or antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin E or Rosemary Oil Extract).
• Optional powders like cornstarch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder, to reduce greasiness.

Melting:

• Measure and chop your solid butter(s) into small pieces.
• Place the solid butter(s) in a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure the water doesn't touch the bowl.
• Gently melt the solid butter(s) over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fully melted.
• Remove from heat and add your liquid carrier oil(s). Stir until well combined.
• If desired, you can also add your chosen fragrance or essential oil(s) at this point.

Cooling:

Allow the mixture to cool and solidify. You can place it in the refrigerator to speed up the process, but make sure it doesn't get too hard. It should be firm but still malleable.

Whipping:

• Once the mixture has cooled and slightly solidified, it's time to whip it! You can use a hand mixer, a stand mixer, or a whisk for this step.
• Whip the mixture continuously as it cools. You may need to scrape down the sides of the container occasionally.
• Continue whipping until the mixture becomes thick, fluffy, and lightens in color. This may take a few minutes.

Storage:

• Transfer your freshly made body butter to airtight containers, such as glass jars.
• Store your body butter at room temperature, but if the room is too warm, it may melt, so consider storing it in the refrigerator during hot weather.
• Whipped body butter typically has a shelf life of 3-6 months, but it may last longer depending on the ingredients used.

Tips:

• If your body butter turns out too greasy, you can add a small amount of cornstarch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder to reduce the greasiness.
• If your body butter is too hard, you can remelt it and add more liquid oil, or try storing it at room temperature to soften it slightly.
• If your body butter is too soft or melty, you can add a small amount of harder butter, like cocoa butter, or beeswax, to help solidify it.
• When choosing essential oils or fragrance oils, consider their properties and potential benefits for your skin.
• Feel free to experiment with different combinations of butters and oils to find your perfect blend!

How do I store it?

Storing your whipped body butter correctly is essential to maintaining its consistency and quality. Here are some detailed tips on how to store it:

• Avoid extreme temperatures: Whipped body butter is highly sensitive to temperature changes. Keep it away from direct sunlight, radiators, or other heat sources that could cause it to melt. Similarly, don't store it in the fridge or freezer, as low temperatures can make it too hard. Aim for a cool, dry place with stable temperatures, like a cupboard or pantry.
• Use airtight containers: Store your whipped body butter in airtight containers, preferably made of glass or plastic. Mason jars with lids are a popular choice. This prevents the butter from drying out and protects it from absorbing other scents or contaminants.
• Keep it clean: Always use clean utensils when handling the body butter, and make sure your hands are clean before dipping into the container. This will help prevent bacteria and other contaminants from getting into the product.
• Consider adding antioxidants: Although not necessary, adding antioxidants like Vitamin E or Rosemary Oil can help extend the shelf life of your whipped body butter by preventing the oils from going rancid.
• Make small batches: Whipped body butter doesn't contain preservatives, so it's best to make small batches that you can use up within a few months. This ensures that you always have a fresh supply and reduces the risk of the product spoiling.
• Label and date your containers: When making multiple batches, it's helpful to label and date your containers. This way, you can keep track of when each batch was made and use the oldest ones first.
• Be mindful of the climate: If you live in a hot climate, your body butter may need to be stored in the fridge to maintain its consistency. Conversely, if you live in a cold climate, you may need to adjust the recipe by adding more oil to prevent it from becoming too hard.

Can I add colours?

Yes, you can add colours to your whipped body butter!

There are several ways to add colour to your body butter. One way is to use mica powder, which comes in a variety of colours such as red, yellow, green, blue, and purple. You can also use natural ingredients such as beetroot powder to create a light pink colour. If you're looking for a red colour, you can use red mica powder or oil-based food colouring. Kool-Aid can also work sometimes as a dye.

To add colour to your body butter, separate the mixture into small bowls and add your chosen colourant to each bowl, stirring well to combine. You can then layer the different colours into a piping bag to create a rainbow or candy cane swirl effect, or simply mix the colours together for a more blended look.

It's important to note that if you're using food colouring, it's best to use an oil-based variety to avoid introducing water into your formula, as this can affect the shelf life of your body butter. Additionally, some colourants may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin, so it's always a good idea to do a patch test before using your coloured body butter.

Frequently asked questions