how long does shea butter last

DIY BEESWAX BODY BUTTER RECIPE

For years, my skin would react to cooler weather by becoming red and chapped, especially during pregnancy or while breastfeeding (which has been my reality for nearly a decade!).

I used to rely on store-bought lotions throughout the winter, which would provide temporary relief, but because lotions are mostly water, they never offered the deep hydration my skin truly needed.

A few years ago, I decided to start making my own skincare products, and that’s when I discovered the power of homemade body butter. Now, I create a natural, deeply moisturizing body butter that actually heals my skin, instead of just masking the issue. It’s been a game changer—no need to look for anything else!

What You Need To Make Homemade Beeswax Body Butter

iNGREDIENTS

  • White Beeswax Pellets – Adding beeswax helps reduce the greasy feeling on your lips while still offering moisture and protection.
  • Vitamin E Oil – Known for its nourishing and healing properties, Vitamin E oil is excellent for treating damaged skin, such as scars and stretch marks.
  • Shea Butter – Known for its soothing, softening, and anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter helps tone and calm your skin, making it ideal for homemade skincare products.
  • Coconut Oil – Rich in antioxidants, coconut oil helps protect your skin and lips while minimizing signs of aging.
  • Sweet Almond Oil – With its healing properties, sweet almond oil is great for acne and other blemishes. If needed, you can substitute it with jojoba oil, olive oil, or any other carrier oil you have available.
  • Essential Oils (Optional) – Customize your lip balm by adding your favorite fruity or spicy essential oils to personalize the scent and benefits.

SUPPLIES

  • Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer – An electric mixer is essential to achieve the creamy, whipped consistency of body butter.
  • Double Boiler – You can use a double boiler or create one by adding an inch or two of water to a saucepan. Place a glass bowl on top of the saucepan, heat the water over medium heat, and melt your ingredients in the glass bowl.

How To Make Body Butter With Beeswax

Melt the Ingredients – In a double boiler or by placing a glass bowl over a pot with a few inches of water, heat the jojoba oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until all solid bits have completely melted.

Add Essential Oils – Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Once slightly cooled, add 20 drops of your chosen essential oil for fragrance and extra benefits.

Cool the Mixture – Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Then, place it in the fridge for about an hour until it starts to harden, but remains soft to the touch.

Whip the Mixture – Using a stand mixer or handheld beaters, whip the body butter mixture for about 3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.

Tips For Success

To Use – This body butter is safe for most areas of your body, but avoid applying it to sensitive areas. If you experience any skin irritation, discontinue use immediately.

To Store – Since this body butter doesn’t contain water, it has a long shelf life. Store it at room temperature for up to 3 months, or in a cool place for up to 6 months. To protect the essential oils, store the body butter in a glass amber jar or another container that shields it from direct sunlight.

Variations – Feel free to experiment with different essential oil combinations to customize the fragrance of each batch!

Substitutions – If you don’t have sweet almond oil, you can substitute it with jojoba oil or olive oil in this recipe.

About This Body Butter Recipe With Beeswax

  • No Harmful Chemicals – This body butter is free from any worrisome chemicals, making it a perfect choice for sensitive skin.
  • Budget-Friendly – You can make enough body butter to last your family all winter for just a few dollars’ worth of ingredients, which is a fraction of the cost of store-bought natural body butter!Hydrating and Soothing – All the ingredients are specifically chosen to hydrate and soothe dry skin, leaving your skin soft and nourished.
  • Non-Greasy – While this body butter is rich and creamy, it absorbs well without leaving a greasy residue.
  • Customizable Scents – You can easily create a variety of scents by adding different essential oils to suit your preferences!

CONCLUSION

Making your own body butter is a simple, cost-effective way to nourish and hydrate your skin without the worry of harsh chemicals. With its rich, creamy texture and customizable scents, this body butter is perfect for keeping your skin soft, smooth, and moisturized all winter long. Whether you’re treating dry skin or just want a luxurious self-care routine, this DIY recipe is a natural and affordable solution that the whole family can enjoy.

HOW TO MAKE WHIPPED BODY BUTTER

This DIY whipped body butter is perfect for winter, especially if you have dry skin. Cold weather and hot showers can leave skin feeling dehydrated, so this nourishing body butter is a great solution.

Made with simple, natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil, this recipe is safe enough to eat, ensuring you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. Essential oils can be added for fragrance and their beneficial properties.

The result is a light, fluffy body butter that feels like a cloud and provides deep hydration. Learn how to make this easy, homemade skincare treat!

WHAT IS BODY BUTTER?

If you’ve never tried body butter before, you’re in for a treat! It’s like butter for your skin—rich, moisturizing, and easy to make at home. By simply melting and whipping your favorite oils, you can create a luxurious body butter.

While coconut oil is a popular choice, it can sometimes feel greasy or melt at room temperature. For a better balance, try experimenting with different plant-based butters to create a nourishing, non-greasy moisturizer.

This homemade body butter not only feels smooth and nourishing on the skin, but it also smells amazing—especially if you add essential oils. It’s perfect for sensitive skin and makes a thoughtful, personalized gift!

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO MAKE WHIPPED BODY BUTTER

INGREDIENTS FOR WHIPPED BODY BUTTER

  • 1/3 Cup Coconut Oil: Organic coconut oil is a skincare powerhouse! Its low molecular weight allows it to deeply penetrate the skin, delivering moisture and nourishment by binding to proteins in the skin.
  • 1/3 Cup Shea Butter: Shea butter is an incredibly effective emollient, making it perfect for hydrating and softening dry skin. Its rich, moisturizing properties are a key component in body butter recipes.
  • 1/3 Cup Cocoa Butter Wafers: Cocoa butter lends a creamy, thick texture to lotions and body butters, softening at body temperature for easy absorption. It also contains natural antioxidants like vitamin E, as well as other beneficial vitamins and minerals.
  • 1/3 Cup Jojoba Oil: A non-comedogenic carrier oil, jojoba oil is soothing and deeply moisturizing, making it ideal for calming irritated skin. If jojoba oil isn’t available, sweet almond oil is a great alternative due to its quick absorption and nourishing fatty acids and vitamins A and E.
  • 2 Teaspoons Arrowroot Powder: To reduce the oily feel of this rich moisturizer, arrowroot powder helps create a smoother, less greasy finish. If you don’t have arrowroot powder, cornstarch or tapioca starch can be used as substitutes.
  • Essential Oils (Optional): Add a few drops of essential oils for a natural fragrance and extra skin benefits. Essential oils are preferred over synthetic fragrances due to their plant-based origins and numerous healing properties.

WHY THESE INGREDIENTS

  • Coconut Oil – Provides deep moisture, promotes wound healing, and has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
  • Jojoba Oil – Moisturizes, supports wound healing, reduces inflammation, and offers anti-aging benefits.
  • Cocoa Butter – Forms a protective barrier to lock in moisture and protect the skin.
  • Shea Butter – Rich in antioxidants, it deeply hydrates and promotes skin healing.
  • Essential Oils – Add a pleasant scent and offer various beneficial properties depending on the oil used.

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING YOUR WHIPPED BODY BUTTER

  • Begin by melting the coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter together in a double boiler or a saucepan over low heat. If you don’t have a double boiler, a large glass measuring cup will work just fine.
  • Once the butters are melted, remove from heat and stir in the jojoba oil. If you’re using essential oils, add them now and mix well to evenly distribute the scent.
  • Pour the mixture into a medium-sized glass bowl and place it in the refrigerator to cool for about two hours. You can also chill the oils in the fridge to speed up the process.
  • When the mixture has fully solidified, remove it from the refrigerator and transfer it to a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer). Whip the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy.
  • Once whipped, add the arrowroot powder and whip again until the body butter reaches a smooth, airy consistency.
  • Finally, scoop the whipped body butter into containers and store in a cool, dry place.

TIPS FOR MAKING DIY BODY BUTTER

This whipped body butter makes a wonderful gift for friends and family, and you can easily double or triple the recipe for larger batches.

However, be cautious when using citrus essential oils, such as lemon or orange, as they can increase sun sensitivity. If you choose to include them, avoid sun exposure for a while after application, or opt to use the body butter at night for extra safety.

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE WHIPPED BODY BUTTER

Because the oils and butters in this body butter are natural and prone to melting in warm conditions, it’s best to store it in a cool, dry place. If the butter does melt, you can refrigerate it and re-whip it to restore its texture.

Stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dark environment, this body butter will last up to six months. For longer storage, you can add preservatives. Although I haven’t added preservatives to this recipe, Geogard ECT (also known as Preservative ECO or Plantaserv M) would be a good choice. Use between 0.6% and 1% of the mixture.

If you prefer natural preservatives, vitamin E oil or rosemary extract are great options. These help extend the shelf life without introducing harsh chemicals.

Another way to prolong freshness is by storing the body butter in smaller containers. This limits exposure to air and contaminants each time you open it, ensuring it stays fresh for longer.

Be sure to keep the body butter away from direct sunlight and high temperatures, as these can cause the natural ingredients to break down more quickly and spoil.

If you like experimenting with different scents or textures, you can customize this recipe by adding essential oils or botanical extracts. Lavender, chamomile, or rosemary essential oils are popular for their soothing properties, while citrus oils like lemon or orange can provide a refreshing scent. Just remember, citrus oils can make skin sensitive to sunlight, so it’s best to use them at night.

For added hydration and soothing benefits, consider mixing in a tablespoon of aloe vera gel, especially helpful for sun-exposed or irritated skin.

Lastly, if you prefer a firmer body butter, adjust the ratio of butters to oils. Increasing the amount of cocoa butter or shea butter will create a firmer consistency, while adding more liquid oils will make the body butter softer and easier to spread.

CONCLUSION

Whipped body butter is a luxurious and nourishing treat for your skin. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can easily create your own customized version at home. With the flexibility to choose your preferred ingredients and scents, you can tailor your body butter to your specific needs and preferences. Enjoy the satisfaction of crafting a homemade product that will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and beautifully hydrated.