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Once you’ve tried this whipped body butter recipe with essential oils, you’ll never want to use anything else!
Super easy to make, this rich and creamy treat for your skin is incredibly luxurious and nourishing. It’s the perfect way to hydrate your skin and pamper yourself from head to toe. And it smells heavenly too!
Made with all-natural ingredients and infused with essential oils, whipped body butter is the ultimate DIY solution for smooth, soft skin without any harsh chemicals.
Whether you’re dealing with dry patches, or just want to indulge in a little self-care, this easy-to-make recipe will leave your skin glowing and feeling incredibly moisturized.
Best of all? You can customize it with your favorite essential oils to create a body butter that smells as amazing as it feels.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Using Whipped Body Butter
Deeply Moisturizes the Skin, Leaving It Soft and Supple
Whipped body butter is packed with rich, nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, which are known for their deep moisturizing properties. It helps hydrate the skin by locking in moisture, making it an excellent choice for dehydrated skin.
The whipped texture makes it easy to spread and absorb, ensuring that your skin feels soft, smooth, and supple all day long. Regular use can improve skin texture and promote a healthy, radiant glow.
Free from Harsh Chemicals, Making It Safe for All Skin Types
One of the biggest benefits of DIY whipped body butter is that it’s free from harmful chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives often found in store-bought lotions and creams.
Since you control the ingredients, it’s easy to customize the body butter for sensitive skin or specific skin conditions by choosing gentle, nourishing oils and essential oils. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin, whipped body butter is a natural, safe alternative to commercial skincare products.
Soothes Dry, Cracked, or Rough Skin, Especially During the Colder Months
Whipped body butter is especially beneficial during the colder months when dry air and cold temperatures can sap moisture from your skin. Its thick, creamy consistency creates a protective barrier against harsh environmental elements, helping to heal and prevent dry, cracked, or rough skin.
Ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil are rich in fatty acids and vitamins that help repair damaged skin and restore its natural softness.
Applying whipped body butter to areas like elbows, knees, and heels can keep them soft, smooth, and well-hydrated even in the winter.
Whipped Body Butter Recipe Ingredients
½ cup Shea Butter
½ cup Solid Coconut Oil
12 drops Essential Oil (scroll down for recommendations)
How To Make Whipped Body Butter Step-by-Step
Step 1. Melt the Ingredients
Combine ½ cup shea butter and ½ cup solid coconut oil in a double boiler.
Heat the ingredients gently under low heat, stirring occasionally until completely melted. This helps the oils blend smoothly, ensuring a creamy, consistent texture in your body butter.
Don’t have a double boiler? No problem! Improvise by placing the heat-proof glass bowl or jar over a pot of simmering water at heat. Or heat the ingredients at low power in the microwave.
Do not rush the process by using direct heat or high heat as this can break down the beneficial properties of the oils. Low and slow is the key here!
Step 2. Cool the Body Butter
When the shea butter and coconut oil are fully melted, remove from heat.
Allow it to cool slightly at room temperature, then place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes.
Keep an eye on the mixture as it cools—you want it to start solidifying but remain soft enough to whip.
The mixture should be firm enough to hold its shape but not completely hard. This is key to getting that airy, whipped consistency later.
Step 3. Add Essential Oils
Now that the mixture has cooled to the perfect consistency, it’s time to add the essential oils.
Add about 10-20 drops of essential oil, depending on how strong you want the scent. For a more subtle fragrance, use 10 drops. For a more pronounced aroma increase it to 20 drops or more.
As a rule, always start with fewer drops and then increase one drop at a time. Essential oils have a strong aroma. Too much can give the body butter an overpowering scent.
Stir the essential oils in gently to evenly distribute them throughout the mixture.
Step 4. Whip the Body Butter
Now comes the fun part—whipping!
Whip the mixture in an electric mixer on medium speed for about 5-7 minutes. The photographs of this step were ruined beyond redemption but this is what the body butter should look like – light, airy, and fluffy.
The goal is to incorporate air into the body butter until it becomes light and fluffy.
As you whip the mixture and more air gets incorporated, you’ll notice the body butter going from a thick, solid consistency to a smooth, whipped texture. Don’t rush this step—whipping thoroughly will give the body butter its signature airy, luxurious feel.
If the mixture softens too much while whipping, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up slightly, then resume whipping.
Step 5. Transfer to Clean Dry Airtight Jar
Once you’ve reached the desired whipped consistency, transfer your body butter into a clean, airtight jar or container.
Always use glass containers when mixing essential oils as these strong oils can react with other materials including plastic
Store the whipped body butter in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. This will help maintain its texture and preserve the quality of the ingredients.
While it doesn’t need refrigeration, keeping it cool will ensure it stays whipped and doesn’t melt, especially during warmer months.
Benefits of Each Ingredient In This Body Butter Recipe
Shea Butter
Shea butter has a rich, creamy texture that provides long-lasting moisture, making it perfect for dry and cracked skin, especially softening rough areas like elbows, knees, and heels.
Shea butter is high in fatty acids like stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids, which support the skin’s natural collagen production and improve elasticity, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It is also rich in vitamins A and E, which help nourish and protect the skin while promoting skin cell regeneration.
The natural anti-inflammatory qualities of shea butter help soothe irritated or inflamed skin, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a powerful moisturizer that penetrates deeply into the skin, helping to keep it soft and smooth. It works exceptionally well for dry or flaky skin.
In its solid form, coconut oil creates a protective barrier on the skin that helps lock in moisture, preventing dehydration and keeping the skin looking plump and hydrated.
It is also rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals, protecting the skin from premature aging and environmental stressors.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it beneficial for acne-prone skin or minor skin irritations.
It’s gentle and soothing for the skin, making it a great option for those with sensitive or irritated skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Vitamin E Oil (Optional)
Vitamin E oil is optional in this whipped body butter recipe with essential oils but adding it can enhance the benefits. It also extends the life of the body butter.
Vitamin E oil is a powerful ingredient for maintaining youthful, healthy skin. This stems from its ability to neutralize free radicals that damage skin cells and accelerate aging.
It also helps to lock moisture into the skin by strengthening the skin barrier, which makes it an excellent addition to body butter for lasting hydration.
If you want to add Vitamin E oil, you’ll need about 5 ml (1 teaspoon).
Best Essential Oils for Whipped Body Butters
Essential oils lift body-care products with their alluring aromas and their benefits. You can customize the basic whipped body butter recipe with any essential oil or essential oil blend.
Here are some suggestions based on aroma and benefits.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Aroma: Deep, earthy, and slightly spicy, frankincense has a grounding scent that enhances relaxation and meditation.
Skin Benefits: Frankincense essential oil is prized for its skin-rejuvenating properties. It promotes healthy cell turnover, which reduces the appearance of scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also helps improve skin elasticity and tone so the skin looks younger.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Aroma: Tea tree has a distinct sharp, medicinal, and slightly earthy aroma often associated with cleanliness and purity.
Skin Benefits: Known for its potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, tea tree essential oil is ideal for acne-prone or oily skin. It helps clear up breakouts, reduce excess oil, and fight infections. It also helps soothe skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, promoting clearer, healthier skin.
Rose Essential Oil
Aroma: Rose has a rich, romantic, and deeply floral aroma that’s calming and uplifting.
Skin Benefits: Rose essential oil is highly moisturizing and great for dry or mature skin. It also has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, which help soothe sensitive or irritated. skin and also reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, giving skin a smoother, more even texture.
Jasmine Essential Oil
Aroma: Sweet, exotic, and intoxicating, jasmine has a romantic, luxurious scent that is calming and uplifting.
Skin Benefits: Jasmine essential oil is wonderful for dry, sensitive, or inflamed skin. It helps improve skin’s elasticity and encourages healing, making it beneficial for scars and stretch marks. Its intense moisturizing properties nourish and soften the skin, while its natural antioxidants protect against environmental stressors and premature aging.
If you like the heady, exotic aromas of rose and jasmine, check out this melt and pour shea butter soap recipe scented with these two floral essential oils.
Geranium Essential Oil
Aroma: Floral, sweet, and slightly rose-like, geranium has a gentle uplifting scent.
Skin Benefits: Geranium essential oil is excellent for balancing the skin’s natural oil production, making it suitable for both oily and dry skin types. It has anti-aging benefits as it helps firm and tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Lavender Essential Oil
Aroma: Soft, floral, and herbaceous, lavender has a calming and soothing fragrance that promotes relaxation.
Skin Benefits: Lavender essential oil soothes irritated or inflamed skin, making it a great option for sensitive skin types. It also helps reduce redness, blemishes, and minor skin irritations, offering gentle nourishment to the skin. Its antibacterial properties make it useful for acne-prone skin as well.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Aroma: Fresh, minty, and invigorating, peppermint has an energizing scent that awakens the senses.
Skin Benefits: Peppermint essential oil provides a cooling sensation that’s great for refreshing and soothing tired, achy skin. It’s also effective in reducing inflammation and promoting circulation. The menthol in peppermint oil helps calm skin irritation and soothe dryness and itching.
Vanilla CO2 Extract
Aroma: Warm, creamy, and comforting, vanilla has a sweet, rich scent that creates a cozy and indulgent experience. It’s soothing and relaxing, adding a subtle hint of sweetness to body butter blends.
Skin Benefits: Vanilla CO2 extract is known for its antioxidant properties, which can help protect skin from environmental stressors. It’s also mildly moisturizing, making it suitable for softening and hydrating the skin. Vanilla’s gentle, non-irritating nature makes it ideal for all skin types, adding a luxurious, skin-pampering touch to whipped body butter.
Related: DIY Vanilla Scented Gift Ideas For All Occasions
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Aroma: Bright, zesty, and cheerful, sweet orange offers a vibrant citrus fragrance that lifts the mood.
Skin Benefits: Sweet orange essential oil is packed with vitamin C, which helps brighten dull skin and promote collagen production. It can revitalize tired skin, giving it a refreshed and radiant appearance. Its antiseptic properties can also help fight acne while maintaining a soft, smooth complexion.
Tips for Customizing The Basic Whipped Body Butter Recipe
Adjust the Ratio of Essential Oils for a Stronger or Milder Scent
One of the easiest ways to customize your whipped body butter is by adjusting the amount of essential oils you use. User fewer drops – 10 drops or less – for a subtler scent, 20-30 drops for a stronger scent.
Certain oils, such as peppermint and tea tree, have naturally strong scents, so a little goes a long way. On the other hand, lighter oils like lavender or rose may require more drops to achieve the desired aroma.
Add Other Ingredients Like Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil for Extra Moisturizing Properties
You can enrich your whipped body butter by adding nourishing oils like almond or jojoba oil. These oils are lightweight and easily absorbed, making them a great addition for extra hydration.
Almond oil is rich in vitamins A and E, and it helps soften and smooth the skin, making it perfect for dry skin types.
Jojoba oil closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum, helping to balance oil production while providing a protective barrier to lock in moisture. It’s great for all skin types, including oily and sensitive skin.
To incorporate these oils, add 1-2 tablespoons into the recipe during the melting stage for an extra moisturizing boost.
Experiment with Different Essential Oil Combinations for Personalized Scents
Get creative with the whipped body butter recipe by experimenting with custom essential oil blends. Mix complementary oils to create unique scents tailored to your mood or skincare needs.
For a calming blend, try combining lavender and chamomile. If you prefer something more invigorating, mix peppermint and eucalyptus for a refreshing and cooling sensation.
You can also experiment with seasonal scents, like combining cinnamon, clove, and sweet orange for a cozy fall aroma or blending jasmine and ylang-ylang for a romantic, floral touch.
As you experiment, start with a few drops of each oil, testing the scent along the way, and adjust based on your preferences.
Adjusting the Consistency
Increase the proportion of shea butter and cocoa butter for a firmer consistency,
Increase the proportion of coconut oil for a lighter consistency,
Add a small amount of beeswax or beeswax pellets for a thicker texture.
For a more whipped texture, continue whipping the mixture until it reaches your desired level of fluffiness.
Troubleshooting Homemade Whipped Body Butter
Body Butter Is Too Greasy
Problem: If your whipped body butter feels greasy and takes too long to absorb into the skin, it may be due to an imbalance of oils.
Solution: Try reducing the amount of coconut oil in the recipe and replacing part of it with a lighter oil, like almond oil or grapeseed oil. Alternatively, whip the butter for a longer time to create a lighter texture, which can help reduce the greasy feel.
Body Butter Is Too Hard
Problem: If your body butter hardens too much after cooling or storing, it could be due to a high percentage of solid ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil.
Solution: Add a liquid oil, such as jojoba or olive oil, to help soften the texture. Re-melt the mixture slightly and whip it again to restore its fluffy consistency.
Body Butter Won’t Whip Properly
Problem: If the mixture is too runny and won’t whip into a fluffy texture, it may not be cooled enough or could contain too much liquid oil.
Solution: Place the mixture back in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly. Then, whip again until you achieve a light, airy consistency. Make sure the mixture is not too cold or too warm when whipping.
Body Butter Melts in Warm Temperatures
Problem: If your body butter melts or softens too much at room temperature, it may be because of the high coconut oil content, which melts at around 76°F (24°C).
Solution: Store your body butter in a cool, dry place. You can also reduce the amount of coconut oil and add more shea butter or a firmer butter like cocoa butter to help stabilize the mixture in warmer conditions.
Essential Oil Scent Fades Quickly
Problem: If the scent of your essential oils fades too quickly, it could be due to evaporation or using oils with less staying power.
Solution: Use essential oils that have a longer-lasting aroma, such as frankincense or rose. You can also add a few drops of a fixative essential oil like sandalwood or cedarwood, which help anchor the scent and make it last longer.
How to Use Whipped Body Butter
When to Apply:
The best time to apply whipped body butter is right after a shower or bath when your skin is still slightly damp. The warm water opens up your pores, allowing the nourishing ingredients to penetrate deeply. The dampness helps lock in moisture, leaving your skin soft and hydrated for hours.
You can also apply whipped body butter before bed, especially to areas prone to dryness like hands, feet, and elbows. Overnight, the rich, creamy butter will absorb into your skin, leaving it smooth and soft by morning.
How Much to Use:
A little goes a long way with whipped body butter. Start with a small amount (about the size of a dime) and massage it into your skin. You can always add more if needed, but using too much at once can leave a greasy residue.
For extremely dry areas, like heels or elbows, feel free to apply a thicker layer and even consider using it as an intensive overnight treatment by covering the area with socks or gloves.
Shelf Life and Storage Tips
Shelf Life Of Homemade Whipped Body Butter
Homemade whipped body butter typically stays good for about 6 to 12 months. Oils like shea butter and coconut oil are stable and have a long shelf life and adding vitamin E can help extend its longevity.
If you notice any changes in texture, color, or scent over time, it may be an indicator that the body butter has started to go bad and should be discarded.
Storage Tips
To maximize the shelf life, store your whipped body butter in a clean, airtight container. Keeping it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight will prevent it from melting and spoiling prematurely.
If you live in a warmer climate, you may want to refrigerate your body butter to maintain its whipped consistency and prevent it from becoming too soft or liquefying.
Always use clean hands or a spoon when scooping out the product to avoid introducing bacteria, which can shorten the lifespan of your body butter.
Gift-Wrapping Homemade Whipped Body Butter
Whipped body butter makes a lovely and thoughtful gift. Here are some tips for wrapping it beautifully:
Choose a container: Select an attractive container:
- Glass jars: These offer a classic and elegant look. They are also easy to see through, allowing the recipient to appreciate the beautiful color and texture of the body butter.
- Tin cans: Tin cans provide a vintage and rustic feel. They are durable and can be easily decorated with stickers or paint.
- Mason jars: Mason jars are versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. They are also easy to seal and store.
Decorate the container: Decorate the container with a ribbon, tag, or other embellishments, and add a personalized label with the recipient’s name and a special message.
Wrap the container: Wrap the container in tissue paper or cellophane that matches the color scheme of the container or the occasion.
Add a finishing touch: Tie a bow around the wrapped container to complete the look or add a sprig of greenery or a flower for a natural touch.
Personalize the gift: Tie it all together with a personalized note or card to accompany the body butter. You can also include a sample of a different scent or a recipe for the body butter.
Interested in more bath and body care recipes using essential oils? You may love these:
Gentle Homemade Honey Calendula Face Wash Recipe
Easy DIY Coffee Eye Cream Recipe For Puffy Eyes
Luscious Lavender Beeswax Lip Balm Recipe
Luxurious Sea Moss Body Scrub Recipe For Soft Radiant Skin
Whipped Body Butter Recipe: FAQs
Can I use a different butter, like cocoa butter instead of shea butter?
Yes, you can substitute cocoa butter for shea butter in this whipped body butter recipe. Keep in mind that different butters have varying textures and scents, which may affect the final product. Cocoa butter will give the product a firmer consistency and a delightful chocolate aroma.
Can I make this whipped body butter recipe vegan?
Yes! To make your whipped body butter vegan, simply replace the shea butter with a vegan alternative, such as mango butter or another plant-based butter. Additionally, ensure that the essential oils you choose are vegan-friendly.
What if the body butter becomes too hard or too soft after storing it?
If your body butter is too hard, re-melt it and add a little liquid oil (like almond or jojoba oil) to soften the texture. If it’s too soft, add more solid oils or butters and re-whip, and store the body butter in a cooler location to help maintain its consistency.
Can I use fragrance oils instead of essential oils?
While you can use fragrance oils, they do not offer the same skin benefits as essential oils. Also, fragrance oils are synthetic and may contain irritants. It’s best to use high-quality essential oils for both their scent and therapeutic properties. Read: Difference between essential oils and fragrance oils.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.