This DIY body butter recipe is soft and white, almost like a cloud! It’s nourishing and will leave your skin feeling super soft and smooth.
What Is Body Butter?
If you’ve followed me for any length of time you know I’m a DIYer and particularly love to make my own beauty products, especially body butter.
If you haven’t used body butter before you’re in for treat! It’s like butter for your skin. Homemade body butter is an easy DIY project for anyone. It’s so simple; all you have to do is melt and whip lovely oils together in a KitchenAid, and voila! Beautiful body butter!
While I love my basic whipped coconut oil moisturizer, it can be a little greasy, and it also melts at room temperature. I needed a good moisturizer that wasn’t too oily, so I decided to play around with some of my favorite plant-based butters and came up with this lovely body butter recipe.
I seriously love the way this homemade body butter feels and smells. It’s also very nourishing and will leave your skin feeling super soft.
I use this body butter on my sensitive skin and on my children. You can leave it as it is or add essential oils to create a great smelling body butter for yourself or as a gift.
How To Make Body Butter
To make body butter you’re going to start with melting the coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter over low heat.
Next, mix in the jojoba oil and essential oils.
Refrigerate the mixture until it’s solid, about 2 hours.
Use a hand mixer to whip the body butter. Add arrowroot powder (if using) and continue to whip. Scoop the body butter into a glass jar. Store in a cool dry place.
Essential Oils for Homemade Body Butter
Below are some of my favorite essential oils to use in this homemade body butter recipe:
This whipped homemade body butter is versatile! Add different essential oils to each batch.
- Peppermint (15-20 drops). You’ll smell like a candy cane! Great for the holidays
- Frankincense & Lavender (15 drops each), this mix promotes beautiful skin!
- Vanilla & Lavender (15 drops of Vanilla and 10 drops of Lavender), this mix is very relaxing!
- Grapefruit & Lime (20 drops each). This smells AMAZING!! Just be careful not to wear this outside since citrus oils are photosensitive.
Supplies & Ingredients
I stock up on glass jars (like these) and make this homemade body butter for presents almost every holiday season. My coffee body scrub and simple sugar scrub are other great items to make for gifting too!
Shop Body Butter Recipe Ingredients:
My favorite butters and carrier oils can be found here:
- coconut oil
- shea butter
- cocoa butter
- jojoba oil
- arrowroot powder
- essential oils – Use your favorite essential oils! This is the brand that I use and love!
Why Do I Need To Add Arrowroot Powder?
Body butter is an oil based moisturizer and can feel a little greasy on some skin types. Adding arrowroot powder or cornstarch helps to cut the greasy feeling on your skin.
Update: Several people have noted that when they used this body butter recipe there was a strong cocoa butter smell. Raw cocoa butter does have a strong smell and can be off-putting to some. You are welcome to use refined cocoa butter instead of raw cocoa butter. The same goes for coconut oil. Unrefined oils and butters are high in antioxidants and are great for your skin. However, they can often have a strong scent so if you prefer, use the refined options.
Love this body butter? Then I know you’ll enjoy my other body butter recipes, like this coffee-infused body butter and magnesium body butter. You may also like my Lotion Bar Recipe made with coconut oil!
DIY Body Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 2.5 ounces coconut oil (approximately 1⁄3 cup)
- 2.5 ounces shea butter (approximately 1⁄3 cup)
- 2.5 ounces cocoa butter (approximately 1⁄3 cup) raw cocoa butter has a strong smell. Use refined cocoa butter instead if this is an issue for you.
- 2.5 ounces jojoba oil or sweet almond oil (approximately 1⁄3 cup)
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder (optional – makes it not feel greasy on the skin
- 15-30 drops essential oils (add more if you like)
Instructions
- In a double boiler or glass bowl, combine all ingredients except essential oils.
- Bring to medium heat and stir constantly until all ingredients are melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Move to the fridge and let cool another 1 hour or until starting to harden but still somewhat soft.
- Use a hand mixer to whip for 10 minutes until fluffy. Add essential oils and whip for another minute.
- Store in a glass jar with a lid.
Video
Beautiful!! What a gorgeous picture too
Thank you for your post, was so nice to read!
Hello, I just made a small test batch before I make some as gifts, and after about 7 minutes of whipping, it turned very runny and I’m not sure why that happened. It wasn’t exceptionally warm in my home, so could it just have been that it was such a small batch? I did only 0.5 oz of each ingredient. I’m considering omitting the jojoba oil so that it will stay firm. Does anyone have any thoughts in why this happened?
I learned from watching youtube videos that if you want thicker body butter, you will add more butter, less oil. If you want your body butter to be not as thick, then less butter, more oil. You have to play around with it to see which you like best and of course jot down how much product you added so you’ll know what to do and what not to do.
Hi, I wanted to say that I loved this recipe and everyone else that has tried it does too! Thank you!
Greetings!
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! It is so silky & luxurious. You are such an Angel for blessing others with your knowledge!!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I was looking for a body cream to make and thought I would give this one a try. When I went to whip the ingredients together it became so hard I had to stop just after a minute. Not exactly sure what I did wrong. Also I find it is very oily after it rubs into your skin. It’s stains my clothes. LOL. I measured all The ingredients with a kitchen scale so I’m not sure what else to do.
Hello! When I make my body butters, I have found that sometimes corn starch, or tapioca starch can reduce oiliness and greasiness. And if you don’t have any starches, make sure to add less oil and more butter. 🙂 I hope this helped.
I have been looking for a DIY recipe to replace the coconut body butter from Trader Joe’s…I love everything about that stuff but hate the plastic packaging. I made this recipe exactly as written (added arrowroot but no essential oils) and it turned out amazing. I used unrefined coconut and refined cocoa butter so the scent is just slightly coconutty. The texture is like that lovely whipped butter they serve with pancakes at a restaurant. Seems a bit oily when it goes on, but soaks right in and doesn’t feel greasy. One batch made enough to last me a long time. Thank you!
Hi, I followed this recipe to a T but for some reason it came out very oily and hard to rub it into the skin. It was just so much it’s sitting on top of mine and my husbands skin. Any suggestions? Should I use less almond oil? Should I have let it sit in the fridge longer? I made sure to whip it for 10 minutes in my kitchen aid. Thank you!
Hi! I use corn starch, or any sort of starch if my body butters become too greasy. If you don’t have starch, the easiest way is to just reduce the amount of oil, and add more butter.
Thank you for the Recipe and your knowledge I am starting my own business currently in trying some new things this is going to be very helpful it’s very much appreciated thank you so much??
This is the third batch I have made and just love it… as do my clients who I have given pots to for a number of dry skin issues which it solved. I adore the smell, the softness and hydration this gives my skin and the process. Making your own natural beauty products is self love and kinder to you and to nature. Thanks you for sharing your passion and hope that you and your 3 coconuts are thriving! Much Aloha..Linzi 🙂
Hi,
I’ve heard of people putting their body butter in the freezer instead of the fridge to solidify it. Is this something you have tried or recommend or would you stick to the fridge for an hour? Thank you
If you put your mixture in the freezer, I recommend checking it every 10 minutes so it isn’t frozen solid. If that does happen, let it warm up a bit before trying to whip it. If it gets too warm, return to the freezer, then whip again.
I want to use Shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and arrow root. Is that fine ?
I want to just use Shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and arrow root. Is that fine?
Hi coconut mama, can I make it using only Shea butter as I have got loads of it? Also can the oils be substituted for other oils like olive instead of almond etc?
Thanks for your time!
You can make this with just shea butter. It’ll be a little softer without the cocoa butter and coconut butter, but that’s okay. Olive oil is a great choice to use in place of almond oil.
Hello, i tried making the body butter recipe today with some minor substitutions. Everything looked great, it whipped up nicely and was white but once i out in the container it hardened and was not smooth. When i tried scooping with fingers it got all crumbling. Any thing i did wrong?
Can you use this in hair or face?
Question, can I substitute the jojoba oil for vitamin e oil instead? I made up a batch last night – did not whip it as I just found this recipe and it hardened. I’d like it a bit more creamy.. and what brand of essential oils are best with kids
Hi, I’m very new to making body butters and I wanted to know if I can make this without the cocoa butter and Arrowroot powder? I’m trying to make a simple body butter without using too many oils/butters. Do you think 2oz Shea butter, 2oz Coconut Oil, and 2oz Sweet Almond oil is a good recipe? Or should I tweak it?
I would try 3oz of coconut oil and shea butter with 1/3 cup of sweet almond oil. Cocoa butter is a thick butter and gives this body butter a nice thick consistency. The shea butter and cocoa butter will make great body butter, but won’t be as thick. The arrowroot powder is optional.
Hello, I’m thinking of substituting these:
Cupuacu Butter
Mango Butter
Coconut Oil
Sunflower Oil
Pumpkin seed Oil
What do you think would work out the best?
Hi,
On the subject of substitutions, I wondered if it would work to use Olive oil instead of jojoba or almond? If so, should I change the quantity? I am also new at this and would love to use what I have in hand.
Yes, olive oil will work in place of almond or jojoba oil. Your body butter may have an olive smell depending on how strong the flavor of your olive oil is.
This was my first time making a body body so I couldn’t wait to give it a shot! I tweaked it suit my needs and it worked beautifully for both variations. One was for my MIL who suffers from psoriasis, instead of almond oil I used extra virgin olive oil (3 tbs), 1 tbs neem oil, and 1 tbs rosehip oil. 10 drops of tea tree oil and 10 drops of lavender. It whipped up nicely. I did one for myself and followed the recipe pretty close but used evoo (3 tbs) and 2 tbs rosehip. I added 20 drops of peppermint so its smells like wonderful chocolate with a hint of mint. Feels amazing! Thank you!!
I love this recipe, but mine didn’t turn out like yours, I’m not sure why. Your end result is light dry and airy and cloud like, mine after whipping is shiny and dense looking, how can I get that nice cloud like look to it? Thanks so much!
Do you think vitamin e bursting beads would be a nice addition to this?
Do we add the arrowroot powder into the oils in the double boiler or before whipping it?
Before whipping!
Uh oh lol! I put it in the boiler. The recipe says all ingredients except essential oils go in the boiler. I will let you know how it turns out lol!
How did it turn out?
It turned out okay. I had to put a lot or arrowroot powder in during the whipping process but the lotion was still good. Started out as a little greasy but absorbed quickly. There was little crystalline chunks in the lotion but they usually dissolved during application. Overall the lotion was great and I’m on my last jar so time to make some more 🙂
Does the lotion go bad? What do you do with the left over ingredients so they don’t go bad?
I am pretty excited to try this recipe! Can I sub evoo instead of sweet almond oil? Also, can I add some neem oil in place of some of the olive oil to help with psoriasis?
Yes, I think evoo and neem oil will work perfectly in place of the almond oil.
Video looks like you are adding arrow root before melting process
My butters that I sell to customers get grainy during transit I do use cocoa and candellia wax however it still is grainy. Do you think it’s due to my high amount of shea butter in it?
Graininess happens when the butters aren’t tempered. It’s the different fat crystals reforming after it’s been melted down, instead of remaining smooth.
Maybe try and harden it in the freezer instead of the fridge. Somebutters need to cool quickly and the fridge is too slow. The 1st time I made some I cooked in the fridge and it was grainy. I reheated and cooled it in the freezer and it was fine.
what would you say the shelf life of this is?
Beautiful, I used cocoa butter instead of Shea, with almond oil and little of olive oil. My cocoa butter has a delicious strong smell so after trying with tea tree and bergamot (didn’t work for me scent wise), I found the perfect match with some ylang-ylang and vanilla extract (+a bit of lemon oil for conservation). It smells amazing. Thanks for the recipe !
Wonderful! Ylang Ylang and Vanilla is one of my favorite combinations!
Tiffany making the body butter now but it is not white, it is the color of the butters. What makes it white?
It may turn out off white or tan depending on which brand of cocoa butter and shea butter you use and if they’re raw or refined.
Hi, does butter stay soft after putting it in the container and storing. I have some that was given to me and it hardened after it cooled down. Thanks
Sounds nice. I used Cacao butter and COULDN’T get rid of the cocoa scent, which I didn’t find to be pleasing. I used 30, then another 30 drops of EO.. How much Ylang-ylang/vanilla/ lemon did you use? Thanks!!
Hello Tilly,
This sound amazing!!
what are the amounts you used for ylang – ylang and vanilla? (did you use vanilla extract?). Can you share?
Thanks
I don’t own a mixer–would I be able to whip this by hand, in a Nutri Bullet blender, or in a mini food processor?
A hand mixer or even an immersion blender will work but I don’t think it can be done (easily) by hand or in the blender.
I made a batch and I love it! The only thing is I dumped a little too much scent into it.
Would it be possible to make another batch without adding any essential oil to it, then combining the two batches to make the scent a little milder?
Yes, I think that would work! 🙂
So excited to try the body butter. All the ingredients arrived this week. Just waiting to get jars to fill them. My daughter has allergies so this body butter will be wonderful and she is going to enjoy making it with me. Thank you ?
I made this amazing whipped body butterI didn’t have coco butter so instead of coco butter I just doubled Shea butter and added jojoba oil, some apricot oil to measure 1/3 total oils and added rose essential oil as it’s my favorite in fall for some reason and it is unbelievable and turned out wonderful. I love this recipe.
I read where one comment mentioned using Diatomaceous Earth in the recipe. Excuse me for not paying more attention but I thought it made the butter less greasy or something.
Is there an amount I can use in this recipe that makes sense?
How long will it stay good? Shelf life?
Can someone please give us the product shelf life rule of thumb?
Thank you
Oil product shelf life depends on the oil and how it is stored. Coconut, Shea and cocoa butter have a longer shelf life a couple of years. Almond oil is a little less. You could add vitamin E or grapefruit seed extract to prolong the life. Store extras in a cold place. It is heat and oxygen that will make oil go rancid.
Hai Tiffany! Thanks for the recipe i made this today and love it! I think because we lived in Jakarta at 33C at daytime, the end product is rather runny. I should put inside the fridge to solidify. Any tips?
Awesome recipe! New to this whipped body butter making thing. Lol I came across this recipe, read the reviews and decided to use it. Soooo glad i did. My go to recipe now. ??Thank you!
I bought unrefined cocoa butter and it smells like chocolate! I put essential oils in it & could not get the chocolate smell gone. Am I using the wrong kind?
Thank you
Amber
Cocoa butter does have a chocolate smell! You can add more essential oils or next time use refined cocoa butter which is neutral in smell.
I used mango butter instead of cocoa butter, because I couldn’t stand the smell! Mango butter works great, doesn’t even smell like mangos!
Ok. This is the first diy body butter that I’ve made that I can say I love ? it’s just perfect!
I left out the starch as I don’t mind the oily finish, I just use less body butter as it has amazing coverage! I did two batches, one with cocoa butter and one without, I left them unscented. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
First of all, Thank you so much for the amazing recipe, I love it! I couldn’t find coconut essentials anywhere, could I use coconut extract?
They don’t sell coconut oil in any grocery stores near you? Most grocery stores sell it. Coconut extract is water based. You would have to use a preservative so your butter doesn’t start to grow mold.
This was amazing making…Check your local hobby lobby, I found some there and they had 50% on bases
What can I use as a preservative?
Hi… I’ve been searching for a body butter that stays somewhat soft – this looks like it might be the one. I have a tub of avocado butter and I’m wondering if I can substitute one of the other butters for this. Appreciate your feedback. TIA
I used other recipe before and it was fine so now I am ready to try this one out cause its much simple and precise.
Hi! I’m super excited to try out your body butter recipe! My question is this – does the body butter have a smell to it before adding essential oils to it? Thanks so much!
If you use raw cocoa butter, yes. If not, there’s a faint coconut oil smell.
I am going to make this today. If I might make a suggestion in your recipe concerning the arrowroot which you say is optional. You could add that corn starch could be substituted. I have run my legs all over town looking for arrowroot ,it is not carried local. I searched all the questions and comments and way at the bottom you say corn starch can be used which most everyone has. It sure would of saved me from running around. I’m glad to know now that I can use corn starch. Thank you so much for your recipe.
Hi Linda, I found my organic arrow root on amazon
Hi, is this ok to use during pregnancy? It looks so good!
did u try it? on substituting the arrowroot I think ima order on amazon
You can also use tapioca flour…also called tapioca starch
I would like to know what mixer do you use?
That’s was my first handmade body cream and he turned out perfect! Very nourishing without being too greasy Ty so much for the recipe
I’m so glad you like it! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
This turned out amazing. I didn’t use arrowroot as I don’t mind greasy butters… It turned out beautifully. A little greasy so I’d this bothers you I’d suggest arrowroot. I also didn’t add any essential oils as I plan to use it on my toddler. Fantastic. I used the freezer to speed up the cooling process and our mixer is quite powerful to whip… Be patient with the whipping! If it’s not working let it chill longer and try again. It goes from transparent yellowish to white to whipped. Beautiful! Thanks did the recipe!
I was looking for something I could make with the ingredients at hand. I didn’t have arrowroot powder so substituted 2 tsp of corn flour instead! And I left out the almond oil and essential oils. The whipping takes a while and best down when it’s cold- came out beautifully, not greasy, nourishing and perfect for the children and me. Thank you !
I’ve made this and I added the arrowroot and a large spoon of natural aloe Vera gel ? Will this be ok?
How much would this make in ounces? And what is the Shelf life for this?
This is a great recipe. I was doubtful mine would look as white – it was yellowy brown when all melted and turned marshmallow white when whipped! Witchcraft! It’s perfection. One note to add – hot items are really hard on your fridge. I let mine cool until just warm and then put it in the fridge until it thickened. Made this for a friend who’s a nurse and he loves it. It’s healing his cracked hands from all the harsh hand sanitizers at work. This makes a nice big batch – consider giving some to someone on the front lines! Be safe and well.
How long will this keep and does it need to be refrigerated? 🙂
My friend made this for me and gave it to me at Christmas. I finished the jar in March and I kept it on a shelf in my bathroom. She used some essential oils in it but no preservative.
Would it be ok to use coconut oil in place of the sweet almond oil or jojoba oil?
I bought the exact products as suggested however mine is not white. It’s yellow. Why?
Just whipped up a batch and I’m in love with it! I want to make some for christmas gifts. (I know it’s April but I think way ahead to avoid stress). What’s the shelf life? I couldn’t see if you answered that one yet. Look forward to trying more of your stuff!! And looking forward to the answer <3
If you can keep it in a cool, dry place it will last several months. I would also suggest added rosemary antioxidant or another natural preservative to extend the shelf life.
Hi! how much preservative should I add to extend shelf life?
What temp should this be stored at?
Thanks!
Hi Tiffany! I’m dying to try your recipe!
But is it possible to substitute shea butter with cocoa butter?
So double the cocoa butter and omit the shea butter.
Because actually I was searching for recipe so I can use my cocoa butter.
Thanks!
You can try it but I imagine it’ll turn out pretty thick since cocoa butter is so saturated. If you have a different butter like mango butter you can use that in place of the shea butter. If you do try it with more cocoa butter please come back and let me know how it turned out!
I tried it, replacing 1,2ounces shea butter with cocoa butter + 0,8 ounce coconut oil.
but it’s not working.
At first when I whip it, it seems fine, then after few sec, it becomes really hard 🙁
Maybe I really need to have shea butter.
Hopefully I can try it again in the future with shea butter!
Try Jojoba butter!
Hi. How long does this whipped body butter maintain it’s fluffy consistency? Is there a stored preference to keep it fluffy or is this formula stable? Thank you!
Hello.. what is the Shelf life for this product?
Can you use tapioca starch instead of arrow root flower? That’s what I have on hand. Thank you
Hi, I was reading the recipe for the body butter and got confused. Does the recipe call for 2 oz. which is (1/4 cup) or 1/3 of a cup?
Can this recipe be doubled or tripled?
2 ounces is approximately 1/3 cup. I give both measurements for those who may not have a scale to measure the oils. Yes, you can double or triple the recipe to make as much as you need.
Actually, 2oz is 1/4 cup. 8 oz is 1 cup.
a cup of oil doesn’t weight 8 oz (it’s heavier) so it’s always best to weight ingredients rather than weight by ‘volume’ which uses measuring cups.
The butter is measured by weight. What she’s saying is, 2oz BY WEIGHT of the butters is approximately 1/3 cup BY VOLUME. Weight is more accurate, but she gave volume measurements in case makers of this don’t have a scale. Hope that helps!
I can’t wait to try this! Would I be able to use fragrance oil instead of essential oil? And what do you suggest to add color? Maybe mica?
Thanks!
Yes, mica can be used to add color and shine.
Also, the cocoa butter is solid in the 9 oz jar. Is it OK to melt it in its container and spoon out 1/3 cup and let the remainder return to solid at room temp? Would the quality of cocoa butter deterioate if it’s changing state more than 1 time? Asking to see if I need to buy cocoa butter in different sizes next time.
Thanks!
You can definitely try it but it’s better to measure it in solid form. I like to buy cocoa butter wafers, it makes measuring so much easier!
Hi! Where do you get the shea and cocoa butter butter? Also do you use extra virgin coconut oil?
wondering if it’s best to purchase refined so the particles are small enough to penetrate the skin
How much body butter does this recipe yield?
It makes a little more than a cup when it’s whipped and fluffy. It weighs approximately 8 ounces.
How much fragrance can you use
I always start with 10-15 drops and add from there. Some essential oils are stronger than others so it’s best to not add too much at the beginning. Hope this helps!
Hi- I love this recipe but would love to know how you clean your pans from the waxy residues?
Hi – I started making my own body butters but was wondering how you clean your pots, pans and utensils from the greasy waxes and butters.
THANKS
I clean them IMMEDIATELY after I make a batch. Especially if I’m using wax! I fill my sink with hot water, soap, and lemon essential oil.
This is my favourite whipped body butter recipe so far. I made it with 2oz mango butter, 2oz coconut oil, 1/3 cup almond oil, 2 tsp arrowroot powder, and 30 drops lavender essential oil. I didn’t have another type of butter so I just left one of them out and the texture still turned out amazing! The softer texture is more ideal for colder climates as well. The added arrowroot powder really helps it melt into your skin easier and reduces greasiness. I’ve made this twice!
Thank you for sharing! I’ll try it with arrowroot next time!