I’ve been trying some different combinations for a homemade beeswax body butter.
This one has shea butter and beeswax along with almond oil, and olive oil. I’m really liking it. It feels smooth. Plus —
- Shea butter has some great qualities — it’s an anti-inflammatory (see research) and studies have shown that it improves Atopic dermatitis (see research).
- Almond oil has been shown to reduce scarring post-operatively, as well as smooth and rejuvenate skin (research). It is a good emollient and improves skin tone (research). Studies have shown that almond oil provides a protective layer only into the outermost layers of stratum corneum (research).
Homemade Body Butter with Beeswax and Shea Butter
1/4 cup shea butter
1/4 cup beeswax (try the pastilles for easy melting)
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup olive oil (I use the extra light olive oil because it is lighter in color and scent)
10 drops Essential oil of your choice: Lavendar or Lemon or Peppermint
Mason Jar
Start with a clean Mason type jar (canning jars). This is the jar that you will make it in and keep it in. No mess. Set the jar in a pan of water over the stove. (This acts like a double boiler). Add the shea butter (I prefer the creamy ones, less grainy. These vary in color and grainy feel). Measure the almond oil, olive oil and beeswax and pour them into the jar. Turn on the stove, and keep an eye on it while all of the ingredients melt together. Stir.
Take off the heat, let it cool a little, and when you can lift the jar out of the water, do so, setting it in the refrigerator to cool more (set it on a small towel.) As it begins to cool, place the lid on the jar, tighten and shake it. Continue to shake the jar about every 15 minutes until it is close to solid. That’s it. you’ve got a homemade body butter with beeswax and shea butter. The shea butter should not get grainy if you have let it cool and set-up in the refrigerator.
If you have allergies to any of the liquid oils, feel free to substitute.
Easiest recipe I’ve seen so far and I’ve been searching. Equal parts all ingredients. So if you want less, it’s simple. Thanks!
is this for an 8 oz jar? Thank you!
The jar I used here is 500 ml or 16 oz. But the recipe makes about 8 oz.
do you sell the lemon body butter? if yes, i’d be really interested in ordering.
Where do you live? For shipping estimates.
CT
I was wondering if you have a recipe for body lotion using powdered milk?
Kathy– I have not used powdered milk or seen any recipes with it. I tend to go with options that will not spoil or get moldy. I tried a hand lotion with distilled water and oil, and essential oils, and that has held up well. https://www.deilataylor.com/homemade-lotion-with-water-and-oil/
Hi, I was wondering what is the shelf life for this product? and if you know of any natural preservative I can add? Thank you very much!
I have had one on the shelf — so to speak, as I have been using it — but it has lasted for a year. If your hands are clean, you don’t really introduce any bactera into the jar, but if you are concerned, or want something to last more than a year, you could try some vitamin E — open a capsule and put it in. I have not tried that, but have read that it acts as a preservative. Because I don’t use any water, these recipes last a long time. It’s the water that seems to make them go bad. Beeswax lasts for 20 years — I know that from experience. So just stay away from water in the recipes.
Hi, I’ve just tried this but the consistency seems quite solid. Any ideas where I might have gone wrong? Or is it supposed to be? Many thanks x
I have found that once I start to scoop into it with my fingers, and let it warm up in my hand, it becomes easier to apply to my skin. Sometimes, if the weather is cold, and your room is too, the butter becomes more solid, as temperature effects it. But it usually softens up as I use it.
However, products can vary, like the shea and the beeswax. If it is too hard to spread on your skin, I would try this: put the jar back in a pan of water, melt it down again, and add 2 – 4 Tablespoons of one of the oils. Then let it solidify again and try that. Maybe try 2 first, then if that does not soften it up, try 4.
Let me know how it works.
That’s great, thank you so much. It’s currently snowing here and our kitchen is pretty cold so it’s probably that. Might try a little extra oil with the next batch though as I prefer it a little softer in any case. Thank you for putting these recipes up too, they’re awesome! Hoping to try the antifungal one too shortly. I think the bug may have bitten me! X
Hi there! I wanted to put the body butter in a squeeze tube to use. Does this have a liquid consistency or is it solid?
It should be fine in a squeeze tube. It is not liquid, and not too solid that you couldn’t squeeze it out. I would say it is about the consistency of margarine at room temp. Let me know how you do it — and how it turns out.