How To Make Your Own Natural Whipped Body Butter
Did you know that our skin absorbs 60% of what we put on it? Yes, that’s right. The skin is the largest organ or our bodies and it pretty much acts like a sponge. So, imagine when it means for the sensitive skin of babies and young children… This figure is even more alarming. Infants’ skin can absorb up to 90% of the products we put on it. It inevitably made me question the kind of products I use daily on myself and my children. I realized that if I wanted to reduce the amount of toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis, I needed to learn how to make some of our cosmetic products myself. Indeed, many brands specializing in baby care products sometimes use toxic ingredients in their formulation. As a parent and customer in general, it’s important to carefully read product labels and actually take the time to learn more about each ingredients used in order to make conscious and fully informed choices. I know it may takes more time, energy and dedication to review all the ingredients, but I can assure you it will be totally worth it.
In fact, the prolonged use of products with toxic components on children may have harmful consequences on their health. For example, liquid paraffin is found in a baby oil of a well-known brand: it’s an ingredient derived from the distillation of petroleum that contains carcinogenic molecules. It’s also common to find other carcinogenic ingredients such as 1,4 dioxane and quaternium-15 respectively used as a foaming agent and preservative in the cosmetics industry. Once you are aware of that, it makes you less inclined to buy this kind of products for yourself and your little ones, right? Fortunately, there are more and more natural alternatives that are healthy and adapted to the most sensitive skins. You can even make your own cosmetic products at home. So why not make your own body butter yourself? Not only does this allow you to have full control ofthe ingredients, but it's also quite simple and economical.
Here is my favorite moisturizing whipped body butter recipe for the whole family, including babies. It’s simple, made with only natural and non-toxic ingredients that have incredible benefits for the skin, and it melts smoothly on the skin. To do it yourself, you will need the following ingredients:
Shea butter: Shea butter comes from the seed of the shea tree that grows naturally in West Africa. It has softening, nourishing, restorative and moisturizing properties for the skin. Shea butter is rich in vitamins A, D, E and F and fatty acids, which promotes the elasticity of the skin. It’s also particularly effective to protect and moisturize dry skin, but also to reduce stretch marks and skin inflammation. To enjoy all its benefits, get raw and unrefined shea butter.
Mango butter: Mango butter is made with the kernel of the fruit. It has emollient and softening properties for the skin. It helps relieve skin inflammation and is particularly effective on dry and devitalized skin. Rich in antioxidants, it helps fight skin aging. If you don’t have mango butter, you may omit this ingredient or replace it with cocoa butter.
Coconut butter: This is the "solid" version of virgin coconut oil when stored at room temperature. Extracted from the pulp of coconut, coconut butter is rich in vitamins A and E, and fatty acids that moisturize the skin deeply. It also has softening, protective and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sweet almond oil: Rich in vitamins A, E and B, and essential fatty acids, sweet almond oil is emollient and nourishes the skin deeply while protecting it from drying out. It is ideal for babies and young children because of its soothing properties, and ability to calm redness and irritation. You may replace it with a vegetable oil of your choice (example: jojoba, apricot kernel, olive, macadamia).
Essential oils of your choice: I chose the essential oil of Ho Wood for its anti-bacterial, purifying and regenerating properties, and the essential oil of Mandarin for its soothing and relaxing properties, but also for its sweet citrus scent. You can use any essential oils of your choice, but if you plan to use this whipped butter on babies or children, please do your research and choose safe essential oils for babies. Some examples of safe and dermatological essential oils for babies (+3 months): Lavender, Bourbon Geranium, Thyme Linalol, Neroli, Tea tree.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is generally used to prevent the rancidity of butters and oils, and thus prolong their shelf life. It also has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.
You can purchase all of these ingredients in a health food store, or on the internet (Amazon has everything you need).
Equipments:
Measuring cup
Hand mixer
Spatula
Saucepan or “bain-marie”
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup Shea butter (125ml)
1/4 cup mango butter
1/4 cup of coconut butter
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
10-15 drops of essential oils
A few drops of vitamin E
Lavender, Mandarin and Ho Wood: some of the essentials that are safe to use on infants once properly diluted.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Pour 1/3 cup water and bring to a boil. Put shea, mango and coconut butters in a glass container. Place container in the saucepan. Melt butters on very low heat.
Once the butters have melted, add the sweet almond oil and stir. Remove the pan from heat.
Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oils and vitamin E. Stir gently.
Pour the mixture into a large bowl and allow to cool at room temperature until it reaches a slightly solid and opaque texture.
Whisk with a hand mixer for 3 to 5 minutes, or more, until it reaches a creamy texture.
Pour the whipped butter in a container with a spatula and apply after bathing all over the body.
NOTES:
Alternatively, you may put the butters and oils mixture in the fridge or freezer, until it reaches the right consistency more quickly. However be careful not to leave it for too long, otherwise it would become too solid and impossible to whip. If it happens, you will have to melt it again and let it cool at room temperature until it reaches the right texture.
You may keep the butter at room temperature and use it within 6 months. The texture may change depending on the temperature.
For a better absorption, apply the butter after bathing.
You may make this butter without essential oils and mango butter. If this is the case, double the amount of shea butter.
This body butter is suitable for the whole family: baby, children, parents, and pregnant woman (as long as you use safe essential oils).