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| Method for Body Butters |
| Body butters are really just like balms, thick and rich moisturisers with a high content of vegetable, fruit and nut butters and oils, but no water-based ingredients. They are very effective moisturisers for dry, mature or damaged skin, with some recipes especially designed for pregnancy, stretchmarks or skin conditions such as mild eczema. Commercial body butters can often be very expensive, but while it's often a lot cheaper to make your own, the best bit is being able to tailor the recipe precisely to your requirements. You will need bowls, measuring spoons, a measuring jug, spatulas, a handheld electric whisk, saucepans and a pestle and mortar or old coffee grinder. You can use your normal kitchen utensils, provided they are well washed (preferably in a dishwasher) before being used for food again, though if you are going to make skincare products at home often, it's worth investing in a separate set of pans, bowls etc. Shelflife will vary according to ingredients. As there are no water-based ingredients, you should not need to preserve your body butters, especially if you make relatively small quantities at a time. However, a little rosemary essential oil or natural vitamin E can go a long way to improving shelflife. If your body butters start to smell rancid, musty or otherwise 'off', it's time to throw them away and start a fresh batch! |
| Sample Recipe: Rich Whipped Body Butter Ingredients: Makes about 500ml 100g shea butter 50g cocoa butter 50g mango butter 50g avocado butter OR 35 ml avocado oil 50g coconut butter OR 75ml fractionated liquid coconut oil 50ml macadamia oil 25ml borage oil 30ml camelina oil (for mature or dry skin. If unavailable, substitute peach or apricot kernel) 30ml jojoba oil 30ml thistle oil 5ml vitamin E OPTIONAL: 15ml wheatgerm oil (can be quite sticky, but excellent for very dry skin) OPTIONAL: 5 drops rosemary essential oil (to aid preservation), 10 drops rose otto essential oil, 10 drops frankincense essential oil, 5 drops neroli or jasmine essential oil, according to preference. Method: 1.) Place everything except the vitamin E and essential oils in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Heat gently until the ingredients have all melted (do not heat over 60 degrees Centigrade). 2.) Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. 3.) With a handheld electric mixer, beat the mixture as it cools, and keep going until the body butter is smooth, thick and creamy. The goal is not to introduce air into the product, but to change its texture, so keep the whisk well down in the bowl and use a fairly slow speed, taking care not to splatter (especially while the oils are hot!) 4.) It should take around ten to fifteen minutes to see the required change in the butter's texture, but the longer you whip, the lighter the end result will be. Take care not to overdo it, though, or the butter may become greasy. 5.) When the butter has cooled to about 40 degrees Centigrade, add the essential oils (if using). Stop whipping when it is smooth, shiny and thick, and decant into a resealable tub or jar. Cool thoroughly before putting on the lid(s). Absolutely gorgeous when applied at night, or to moist skin after a hot bath. Enjoy! |
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