Learn how to make your own nourishing and natural moisturizer with this cocoa butter body butter recipe, with only a few simple ingredients!
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I used to be a skeptic when it came to all things natural and DIY for bath and body. My first thought was always that it was a hoax and commercial beauty products couldn’t be all that bad for us.
After all, we are never ingesting them, so even if they have chemicals how harmful can they be? I remember clear as day when I changed my mind! I was talking with some girlfriends about it and one of them brought up the point that whatever is in nicotine patches, which just sticks on your skin, has to go into your blood stream to work. How crazy is that?!
Light bulb! I don’t know why I ever thought that something going on my body as opposed to being ingested, wouldn’t effect me.
Even knowing all of this I am still not religious about only using natural products. I’m just trying to slowly swap things out for natural (and sometimes DIY) versions. Hence, the DIY body butter.
This homemade body butter is such a simple and easy way for me to keep my skin moisturized, without any yucky chemicals.
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Its a little bit odd, but one of my biggest weaknesses in taking care of my body is actually keeping my skin moisturized! I have naturally dry skin and I am so bad about remembering to put on lotion, for one.
Also, I tend to have a bit of a ridiculous thought process about it all, maybe some of you can relate.
I have a few lotions and body butters that aren’t natural that I’ve had for a long time or was gifted. When I go to put on lotion I tell myself I shouldn’t use them because they’re probably loaded with chemicals.
BUT THEN, when I am at the store and I’m considering buying a natural lotion, my frugal side comes out and I think, I have plenty of lotion at home I should just use those up. Which I don’t. Its an endless cycle and my skin just gets more and more dry. EEK!
So, I’ve decided to throw out (or give away) my old lotions, start making my own body butter, and stop living with dry skin.
This body butter is so easy to whip up, it saves me money (especially because I can use any leftover ingredients for other natural recipes), and its mega moisturizing. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I have.
How to Make Body Butter: A Few Tips
Before jumping into the recipe, I want to mention a few tips!
Though some of these ingredients might seem a little unusual or unique, don’t be intimidated by them! If you love making your own natural and DIY bath, beauty, and home products, you’ll likely use these over and over again.
They might seem expensive as well, but remember, you’re only using a small amount for this recipe and the leftovers can be used in so many other recipes! I love to get my ingredients and supplies online from Amazon, its super convenient. I’ll have links below to the exact ones I get.
When measuring your butters and oils, three of the four will be solid. Don’t worry too much about getting an exact measurement. I like to grate my cocoa butter until I have a heaping 1/2 cup. The others are easy enough to get a rough measurement because they’re not as hard.
Whipping the ingredients is important because it will really help everything to combine well and help the body butter to set.
Keep in mind, this homemade body butter is going to have a different consistency than what you’re used to, especially if you’ve only been using commercial products. A little bit goes a long way when applying it!

DIY Body Butter Recipe Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- half cup cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup olive oil or sweet almond oil
- 1/2 cup coconut oil (I get mine from Costco, but this is a great option too)
- 20-30 drops of essential oils (I love peppermint essential oil)
DIY Body Butter Recipe Instructions
- combine shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, and coconut oil in a glass bowl. Heat in a double broiler over medium heat as seen in the photo below.
- once all of the ingredients are melted and combined, give it a good stir and remove from heat.
- allow to cool for a few minutes, and then place in your freezer to harden up.
- be sure to set your timer for about 30-60 minutes to remind you to check on your mixture. You don’t want it to completely freeze, just to harden up enough to where you can whip it together with your mixer. Once you can stick your finger in and it holds its shape, it should be good.
- Add the semi-hardened body butter mixture to your stand mixer (or you can use a hand mixer) and add in your essential oils. Whip for about ten minutes, or until its a smooth, whipped consistency.
- Store in a glass jar with a lid.

This homemade body butter recipe can be used to make handmade gifts for friends and family! Just add a label and a pretty ribbon to make it extra special. Be sure to include a little note with application tips (i.e. use only a small amount at a time!)
Other Essential Oils for a Homemade Body Butter Recipe
Some other essential oils that you can use for your DIY body butter include bergamot, peppermint, lavender, and frankincense. These all have benefits for the skin, and can give your body butter a wonderful, all natural scent. Because this recipe uses cocoa butter, it will already have a hint of cocoa smell. My favorite essential oil to use is peppermint because it pairs so well with the cocoa scent.
Get the printable card for this DIY Body Butter Recipe below!
Whipped Body Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/2 cup cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup sweet almond or olive oil
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 20-30 drops essential oils of choice
Instructions
- Combine shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, and coconut oil in a glass bowl.
- Heat in a double broiler over medium heat as seen in the photo below.
- Once all of the ingredients are melted and combined, give it a good stir and remove from heat.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes, and then place in your freezer to harden up. be sure to set your timer for about 30-60 minutes to remind you to check on your mixture. You don't want it to completely freeze, just to harden up enough to where you can whip it together with your mixer. Once you can stick your finger in and it holds its shape, it should be good.
- Add the semi-hardened body butter mixture to your stand mixer (or you can use a hand mixer) and add in your essential oils.
- Whip for about ten minutes, or until its a smooth, whipped consistency. Store in a glass jar with a lid.
Notes
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