DIY Body Butter: A Natural Solution for Winter Skin Care
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Every autumn and winter, my skin faces the same challenge: icy, cold air that leaves it red, chapped, and uncomfortable. Many store-bought creams and body butter are filled with perfumes, essential oils, or mineral oils that don’t suit my skin. So, I set out to find a better alternative.
After experimenting with various recipes online, I crafted my own DIY body butter using beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and raw honey, a combination I couldn’t find elsewhere. This natural recipe has been a lifesaver for my skin. Feel free to customize it to suit your needs!
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Why I Avoid Certain Ingredients in Skincare
Unfortunately, in a lot of creams, body butter, or lotions, ingredients such as substances from the petroleum industry and essential oils were often added. I prefer not to put those ingredients on my skin.
Mineral Oils from the Petroleum Industry
Mineral oils, often found in lotions and creams, form a barrier that seals the skin. While this might seem protective, it can lead to skin irritation, acne, and dependency. Ingredients like petrolatum, paraffin, and mineral oil can prevent your skin from properly releasing waste and producing its own natural oils. Over time, this results in drier, less resilient skin.
Essential oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin, trigger allergic reactions, and even disrupt hormones. While they are touted for their healing properties, their risks are often overlooked. To live as “non-toxic” as possible, I avoid essential oils entirely, even in small amounts.
Perfume and Fragrance
Many perfumes and synthetic fragrances share the drawbacks of essential oils, including allergenic and hormone-disrupting properties. Besides, once you stop using perfumed products, you’ll notice how overpowering they can smell. Trust me, your skin (and your nose) will thank you.
Ingredients I Love for My Homemade Body Butter
Shea Butter
Shea butter, derived from the nuts of the shea tree, is renowned for its moisturizing and healing properties. It’s perfect for addressing dry skin and conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and minor cracks.
Coconut Oil
Extracted from the dried and pressed flesh of coconuts, coconut oil hydrates dry skin and may help with acne thanks to its antibacterial properties.
Raw Honey
Unprocessed raw honey retains its beneficial enzymes and antioxidants. It’s a natural moisturizer with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, making it great for soothing irritated or itchy skin.
Beeswax
A by-product of honey production, beeswax is antibacterial and gives body butter a firmer texture. It also creates a protective layer on the skin without clogging pores.
Supplies
- Saucepan
- Glass bowl
- Kitchen scales
- Hand mixer
- Measuring cups
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) of shea butter
- 1/4 cup (120 grams) of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon (30 grams) of raw honey (Tip: source a local beekeeper!)
- 1 tablespoon (20 grams) of beeswax (Tip: source a local beekeeper!)
How to make
Set the saucepan with water over medium heat and place the glass bowl on top to create a double boiler. Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax together. When all three components have melted, remove the bowl from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Add the raw honey as soon as the mixture starts to solidify. Blend the mixture until the honey is completely incorporated and your body butter is smooth. Transfer the body butter to a jar for storage or use it directly.
Tips for Long-Lasting Body Butter
- Use UV-Protective Jars: Store your body butter in brown or violet jars to shield it from UV light and extend its shelf life.
- Choose Unrefined Ingredients: Opt for unrefined oil and butter to ensure maximum skin benefits, as refining (heating) often removes key nutrients.
- Versatile Use: This body butter works wonders not just for dry skin but also as a lip balm or even a diaper rash cream for kids.
A Tried-and-True Recipe
Updated in January 2025: I’ve been using this DIY body butter for over two years, and it’s still going strong! Storing it in a dark cabinet or my handbag has kept it fresh and effective.
If you’re tired of harsh winter weather taking a toll on your skin, give this all-natural recipe a try. Your skin will thank you for it!
Body Butter
With this recipe you will make a body butter. Due to the raw honey and shea butter, this cream is extremely suitable for chapped skin. You can also use it as a lipbalm or on diaper rash.
Materials
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) of Shea butter
- 1/4 cup (120 grams) of coconut oil
- 1 eetlepel (30 grams) of raw honey
- 1 eetlepel (20 grams) of beeswax
Tools
- Saucepan
- Glass bowl
- Kitchen scales
- Hand mixer
- Measuring cups
Instructions
- Set the saucepan with water over medium heat and place the glass bowl on top to create a double boiler.
- Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax together.
- When all three components have melted, remove the bowl from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Add the raw honey as soon as the mixture starts to solidify.
- Blend the mixture until the honey is completely incorporated and your body butter is smooth.
- Transfer the body butter to a jar for storage or use it directly.
Notes
- Use UV-Protective Jars: Store your body butter in brown or violet jars to shield it from UV light and extend its shelf life.
- Choose Unrefined Ingredients: Opt for unrefined oil and butter to ensure maximum skin benefits, as refining (heating) often removes key nutrients.
- Versatile Use: This body butter works wonders not just for dry skin but also as a lip balm or even a diaper rash cream for kids.
This post may contain one or more affiliate links, which means I will get a small commission when you buy a product via the provided link at no cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclaimer here.
