If you come from a place like here in Minnesota where it was under 20 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit) on Monday, your skin is probably suffering a bit. No matter how much water I drink, healthy fats and eat, and lotions I put on, my skin hates winter. It does not help, working in a kitchen constantly washing my hands. They become cracked and unhappy pretty quick. Which is why I wanted to make my own moisturizing body butter! I have seen quite a few recipes, but the best of which was
this one from Susan at
Rawmazing a wonderful raw food blog (which you should visit if you never have because she has awesome recipes). I changed it a little to make it my own, but her recipe looked so fabulous it inspired me and did not seem too difficult which is always a plus.
I had to order the ingredients for this, but I was so excited when my shea butter, cocoa butter, and almond oil came in the mail! On New Year’s Day I had a fun time making my Body Frosting…as I decided to call it, because it looked like frosting while I was making it. I was almost tempted to lick the beaters too, it smelled so good. I flavored mine with rose, and vanilla and seriously…it was the most heavenly smelling stuff ever. I like to wear vanilla essential oil as perfume (mixed with a carrier oil of course), and this was even better.
I have to say, my skin is not dry anymore after using this, and it stays moisturized. I even tried some out on my boyfriend Eric (he is a good sport) who has especially dried hands from his line of work and he enjoyed it as well. This would be the perfect gift for someone you love on Valentine’s day to give their skin a little TLC it needs in the winter.
Vanilla Bean Rose Body Frosting
Makes about 3 1/2 cups
1/4 cup raw cacao butter
1/4 cup raw coconut oil
1 cup raw shea butter
1 vanilla bean, slit lengthwise
a few drops vanilla essential oil
a few drops rose essential oil
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
Melt the cocoa butter, coconut oil, and shea butter in a bowl over a pot of boiling water (double boiler) with the vanilla bean until smooth and all liquid. Remove the bowl, and let the mixture cool for 45 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean, and add the essential oils, and almond oil. Whisk to combine. Place in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until the mixture begins to become completely opaque and starts to solidify (you want the middle to still be a bit soft, but the outside will start to be solid, and the whole mixture should be pretty cold). Whip with a hand mixer until the mixture becomes like a frosting. Scoop into jars with lids and enjoy! It should keep for a couple months (since there are no preservatives).
*Note: if you prefer a different scent, just use your favorite essential oils, about 10 drops instead of the rose and vanilla.
Would it work with out the vanilla? Not a big fan of the smell.
Yes, you can replace it with another essential oil like sweet orange or something you like.
oh my goodness, this looks heavenly!!! i love vanilla, but have also found sandalwood oil to be a nice smell, and i read that it’s also moisturizing and good for the skin.
yes, this would be a great vday gift! do you keep it refrigerated?
Thank you :)! You do not need to keep it refrigerated.
Wow this looks incredible Amy! I’m the same way with my hands in the kitchen in food and water all day they are so incredible dry all the time 🙁
I will have to try this once I find some shea butter.
Thanks Heather :)! You should try it! It is so helpful!
I love this! I have been planning on making a body butter as well because of the same reasons .. the dry weather just doesn’t satisfy my skin 🙂 though, to be fair, Miami is rarely “dry”. Anyway, I’m glad to see it here and that’s it’s doable!!
I hope you try it out! I think anyone can need moisturizer no matter where they are from. You are so lucky living in FL though! It is in the negative temps here right now.
i make something just like this but without shea butter. where can you get pure shea butter?
I got it from Vitacost: http://www.vitacost.com/out-of-africa-shea-butter-8-oz-3
Thanks!! Thats where i buy my cacao butter and every other random supplement i need! Their prices are so good.
I saw this on Susan’s blog and thought it looked wonderful there. I love your version too. Must look up what shea butter is in French!
Sarah, shea butter is beurre de karité.
Thank you :)! I hope you can find the French she butter so you can try it out too!
Thanks, anon. I think I’ll find it in my local organic shop otherwise I’ve seen it online. Cacao butter too. 🙂
Amy, can this also help in healing eczema? this is my problem during winter season!!
Coconut oil is supposed to be good for eczema so I would think it would!
Hi, this recipe will actually last a while (a year) because there’s no water in the recipe. 🙂