How to Make Shea Butter Body Balm

Do you have dry cracked heels and feet in the winter months? Does your skin get dry all over? Well there is hope for you! Make this easy shea butter body balm and you will be so glad you did! This recipe is excellent for dry or sensitive skin all year round.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 ounces shea butter
• 1 ounce cocoa butter
• 1 ounce aloe or mango butter
• 2 ounces jojoba oil
• 1/2 ounce beeswax pellets
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops bergamont essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• Vitamin E oil from 3 to 4 Vitamin E Capsules
• 8 ounce plastic container with lids

1. Place the beeswax and the shea butter, cocoa butter, and aloe butter in a microwave safe container. Heat gently in the microwave at 50% power until all of the substances have melted completely Stir them frequently. Remove from the microwave. Stir the mixture to mix all ingredients well.

2. Allow the heated substance to cool for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the jojoba oil. Allow to cool another 5 minutes. Stir in the essential oils and the Vitamin E oil. Hand mix all the ingredients together with a whipping motion or use a whisk to blend together. Allow to cool another 5 to 10 minutes.

3. While your mixture is cooling prepare your jars. Sterilize the containers you will use by placing them in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. They can also be sterilized by running them through a dishwasher cycle prior to using them.

Tips & Warnings

• Soak your feet in warm soapy water for 15 minutes then remove excess dead skin with a pumice stone or a file. Apply the body balm and then put on cotton socks and leave them on over night.
• After applying to hands you can put on cotton gloves or socks and go to bed to keep the balm on longer
• Apply body balm nightly after bathing or showering for best results.
• This product can be used for any body area that is dry or scaly.
• Both refined or unrefined shea butter can be used in this recipe
• Unrefined shea butter may be a bit grainy and will need to be whipped longer to make the mixture nice and smooth
• Use caution when handling hot oils. Use pot holders or oven mitts to avoid burning hands when handling hot oils.

[starchild47]

on 7/10/2009 Thanks so much for the feedback! I am glad you enjoyed making the butter balm and that you like the concoction!

[sigw]

on 7/9/2009 ... oops, I typed too much. What I wanted to say was that I dont work for the company -- I just had a great experience ordering from them and they had everything available in one simple order and almost everything is unrefined and ORGANIC... hooray for that. okay -- I'm done. Make this product. IT IS RAD!!!

[sigw]

on 7/9/2009 I made this recipe over a month ago. It is amazing, the only thing I'd recommend different is using a double boiler system to heat the butters (heat all butters/ waxes to 175 degrees Farenheight for 20 minutes in the double boiler) instead of the microwave. Then add the jojoba and Vit E oil. I didnt add the essential oils, either. I did two test batches and the batch from the microwave turned grainy while the double boiler method did not. I also experimented and used my hand mixer to 'whip' the ingredients into a creamier texture. It made this awesome product even better. It is light and fluffy and simply the best skin/hair product I have EVER used. Thanks for the recipe!!!!!! While it is not cheap to make -- you will never have to throw a crappy bottle of lotion away again -- you'll never need to buy more lotion products. Tip -- buy all ingredients at mountain rose herbs. I dont wo...

[Alishamitchum]

on 12/15/2008 Wow! Another great article. Thanks.

[sarbogast]

on 12/13/2008 Will have to try this. I end up spending loads on moisturizers in the winter.