I love lotion. Soft, luxurious, scented lotion. In the past, if I came across scented lotion sample bottles in a store, I would test each and every one. But over the years of sampling and purchasing a LOT of different brands, I found that not all scents and lotions are really that great for me (and you). I realized just how unhealthy some lotions are after several dehydrated my skin so much that my hands felt “thirsty:” like sandpaper might be thirsty.
Needless to say, I got a little fed up with paying for something that didn’t seem to work, so I went on a search to find a lotion that I would like and that would hydrate my skin. Since Google is my main mode of searching for things, and quite honestly has a way of drawing me in, it wasn’t long before I found myself watching videos of people making lotions and soaps and all kinds of goodies at home. So the crafter in me decided to give it a whirl.
After trying several lotion recipes (I’ll admit, some weren’t so good), I managed to tweak them to the point where I love “my” recipe. There are a lot of other great recipes on the web, so don’t be afraid to give them a try as well!
Whipped Body Butter*
- 35 grams (1-¼ ounces) shea butter
- 15 grams (½ ounce) mango butter
- 50 grams (1-¾ ounces) cocoa butter
- 30 grams (1 ounce) soy wax
- 10 grams (⅓ ounce) stearic acid
- 50 grams (1-¾ ounces) coconut oil
- 20 grams (⅔ ounce) grapeseed oil
- 10 grams (⅓ ounce) argan oil
- 20 grams (⅔ ounce) liquid glycerin
- 300 grams (10-½ ounces) distilled water
(Use a food scale to measure grams.)
Put the butters, soy wax, stearic acid and oils in a microwave safe bowl and melt (at one-minute increments) until almost all of the butters are melted. Do not boil the mixture.
In a separate bowl, add the liquid glycerin and distilled water. Heat until warm or about the same temperature as the butter mixture above.
Using a stick blender, begin mixing the first bowl (butters, soy wax, stearic acid, and oils). Slowly add the water and liquid glycerin mixture and blend in bursts. Let your stick blender rest between bursts or you may cause the motor to overheat. Normally, this will take about 10 minutes. If you want to speed up the blending process, place your butter batter in the freezer for a few minutes, remove, and then continue to blend it in bursts with your stick blender. You can also use a standing mixer if you have one and just let it blend until fluffy without chilling.
If you want, you can add a little scent at this point. Some people use essential oils, some use perfume, and some just go with the unscented variety. Add fragrance to your desired level, remembering that adding liquid will affect the ‘whipped butter’ thickness slightly.
Put your lotion in a pretty jar and use it anytime you want a little extra moisture. This lotion will keep for approximately three weeks unrefrigerated and up to two months in the fridge.
This is a great bedtime treat. Lather it on your feet, and they will love you in the morning!
*Note: Shea, mango and cocoa butters can be found at health food stores. Distilled water can be found in your local grocery store along with the coconut and grapeseed oil. Stearic acid and soy wax can be found on Amazon or at brambleberry.com. Liquid glycerin and argan oil can be found at most drug stores.
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