If you are anything like me, you probably slather your body and hands with lotion on a daily basis. This winter has been drier than any other, and I found myself using even more lotion than usual. However, regular store-bought products contain chemicals that soak into your pores and into your bloodstream, potentially causing your body harm.
Last summer, I started using BomaSense Face and Body Lotion, which worked fine as an overall body lotion (although it made my face really greasy!). However, as the air got drier, I found that this thin, almost watery lotion didn't work as well, and my skin got really dry and itchy. So, I decided to make my own body butter in an attempt to hydrate my skin more over the winter.
How to make whipped body butter
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup shea butter
- 1 tsp. vitamin E oil (optional)
- 50 drops essential oil (optional)
Step 1: Heat the coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler, stirring occasionally, until they are completely melted.
Step 2: Transfer to a heat safe bowl, then place in the refrigerator until it has completely cooled (it will have hardened again).
Step 3: Add the rest of the ingredients, if desired. For my first batch, I left it without any additional ingredients to see how it would turn out. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the mixture until it is light and fluffy. Beware! This is messy... I ended up with splatters of body butter on my countertop, backsplash, and refrigerator cabinet.
Step 4: Spoon the mixture into a container of your choice. I used a wide mouth mason jar, which works perfectly for me. I just scoop it out with my hands and rub them together to warm the body butter before applying it to my body.
What's the verdict on the whipped body butter?
For the most part, it works pretty well. It can be very greasy if you use too much, and I personally wouldn't use it on my face, although it could work fine for you. When it touches your skin, it will turn into a runny oil, so be warned!
Whipped body butter, like any moisturizer, works best if applied right after a shower to trap in moisture. Your skin will look shiny, and it will feel oily for a minute, but the body butter absorbs quickly. After using it for about six weeks, my skin feels soft and smooth. Coconut oil and shea butter can be healing for a number of skin conditions. It is even safe to use on babies to heal eczema or diaper rash, although I can't confirm how well it works in these instances.
However, I have found that it doesn't work well as a hand lotion - in my opinion, anyway. It isn't thick and creamy like lotion, and it leaves my hands feeling oily. Maybe it would feel better if I had added some vitamin E oil; next time, I think I will try adding that and some essential oils (shea butter doesn't smell the greatest!). Or, you could try this lotion bar recipe for moisturizing your hands.
Because this recipe doesn't contain water, it will last quite a while. I would try to use it within six months, though. If you can't use it that quickly, try cutting the recipe in half.
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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.
Your challenge: This week, think about tossing the chemical-laden body lotion (or wait until the bottle is empty) and make your own whipped body butter.
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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during
which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to
lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**
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