Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Updated: Make your own body butter with 4 ingredients.

Update: I originally shared information about Vitamin E being used as a preservative, but in fact it isn't. It is an antioxidant that extends shelf life by preventing rancidity. DIY products that don't use water do not need a preservative; however, it is necessary that with this body butter and other recipes like these that you must use clean, dry fingers to prevent mold, yeast, bacteria, fungi, etc. In my quest for cleaner, safer products, I'm still learning the ins and outs. Other ingredients that prevent rancidity are rosemary oleoresin extract and grapefruit seed extract.  

This post is inspired by Scratch Mommy. I asked her how I can make a DIY body butter using coconut oil as the main ingredient. She gave me some guidelines and this is what I came up with! It was my first time whipping coconut oil into a body butter and I have to admit, it came out well. Now, I must mention that I don't know how it will hold out in the warmer months but in the coolness of late Fall, it's perfect! 

My body butter had a very light lavender scent. I will never tire of the scent of lavender. Can you relate? 


Ingredients
1/2 cup coconut oil (solid)
1/2 T avocado oil 
1 tsp Vitamin E (
5 drops of lavender essential oil (EO)

Preparation
In your mixer, whip the coconut oil until light and fluffy. It may take several minutes. As peaks form, drizzle in the avocado oil. Continue whipping for a minute or two then add in the vitamin E. Finally add the EO of your choice. 

Tips
+ You can use any high quality skin oil like jojoba, almond, in place of the avocado oil.
+ The Vitamin E serves as a preservative is an antioxidant which extends shelf life by preventing rancidity and it's added nourishment to your skin. Find a brand that doesn't have a corn (or GMO) derivative in the ingredients. Vitamin E alone is a sticky substance and requires a carrier oil to make it fluid.

Info on EOs
The EO pictured above is from an artisan I met at last year's Holiday Craft Bazaar in Ridgecrest, CA. Her handcrafted EO is superb! The 1 oz lavender is $20 plus shipping (pictured is the 1/3 bottle at $7). You can learn more by contacting her at email (remove spaces and parentheses): DanaClair (@) rocketmail.com. She lives in Bishop, CA. 

Another place I've purchased EOs is Organic Infusions. They are also a small business and based in California. 

In my next rendition, I am thinking of using cocoa butter and a smidgen of raw honey with the Vitamin E. Essential oil may not be needed since cocoa butter has a light chocolate scent. Though a peppermint EO may make me smell like a peppermint patty and that could be kind of refreshing in the winter months ahead. What EO would you pair with cocoa butter? 

Share your favorite DIY body butter recipe or resource in the comments. 




Choose, eat, and live well! =)

2 comments:

  1. Hi Jessica,
    I love to make my own natural body care product, in fact these four ingredients are my go-to beauty essentials so I am delighted that shared this easy recipe for body butter with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! We appreciate it!

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  2. Just what I need! Thank you for sharing your delightful 'Make Your Own Body Butter- recipe with us at the Special Holiday Edition: Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop 2014! I’m pinning and sharing your wonderful post! All the best to you! Happy Holidays!

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