Create Your Own Natural Whipped Body Butter
This is part 9 of a 9-part “DIY Personal Care Products” series originally featured in Epoch Times.
In this series we explore how to save money and lower our toxic burden by harnessing the healing powers of nature through home-made personal care products. By making your own product line, you can avoid the side effects of chemical additives, artificial fragrances, and toxic preservatives commonly found in commercial products.
Article #9: Crafting Your Own Whipped Body Butter
By Sina McCullough, PhD
Last week, we continued our endeavor to prioritize our well-being and navigate inflation's impact on our finances by crafting lip balm. Today, we journey further into the realm of DIY personal care products by focusing on whipped body butter - a deep moisturizer used to soften and revitalize dry, cracked, or rough skin.
In this article, we explore the potential dangers of chemicals found in store-bought whipped body butter and the advantages of formulating your own. An all-natural recipe is provided.
Unmasking the Perils of Conventional Body Butter
Some of the potential harmful chemicals lurking in some commercial body butters include:
Silicones: These synthetic additives create a temporary illusion of smoothness, however; a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences reported “skin barrier damage” caused by silicones. “Irreversible damage of the stratum corneum [outer layer of the skin]” was observed following application of silicones.
Artificial Fragrances: The alluring scents in body butter often stem from synthetic fragrances that may consist of dozens of chemicals. Even though they may trigger allergic reactions and dermatitis, those chemicals are not required to be disclosed on the product label. Some fragrances have shown endocrine-disrupting or neurotoxic effects, according to a 2021 review article in Current Treatment Options in Allergy. Fragrance ingredients, such as benzophenone and styrene, are listed as possible carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Toxicology Program.
Artificial Dye: Sometimes added to body butter to achieve desired colors, these synthetic chemicals are commonly made from coal tar. According to a 2012 review article in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, “all nine currently US-approved dyes raise health concerns of varying degrees” ranging from hypersensitivity reactions to carcinogenicity.
Parabens: As synthetic preservatives, parabens extend the shelf life of body butter. However, research has established a connection between parabens and hormone disruption, ascribed to their capacity to mimic estrogen within the human body. This association has prompted concerns regarding their potential involvement in the development of breast cancer and impairment of fertility.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology documented the presence of parabens in 90% of the breast tumors examined. A study published in Pharmacological Reports unveiled parabens' ability to alter the expression of estrogen-responsive genes in human breast cancer cells. Furthermore, maternal exposure to parabens has been correlated with reduced gestational age, birth weight, and body length, as highlighted in a 2017 review article within the Journal of Endocrinology.
You can avoid these harmful chemicals and protect your health from potential risks associated with long-term exposure by making your own whipped body butter.
Benefits of Making Your Own Whipped Body Butter
By incorporating natural whipped body butter into your skin care routine, you unlock a host of benefits beyond chemical-free assurance, such as:
Cost Savings in Inflationary Times: Natural ingredients used in homemade body butter are often more affordable when purchased in bulk, and you can reuse containers to reduce costs. This article includes a recipe for Whipped Body Butter made from organic ingredients. Using today’s bulk pricing, the Whipped Body Butter costs $1.15 per ounce, which is roughly 60% less expensive than comparable store-bought organic brands.
Personalized Ingredients and Tailored Formulations: Crafting your own body butter allows you to select specific ingredients that cater to your unique skin care needs.
Environmental Consciousness: Commercial body butters are often packaged in single-use plastic containers, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation. You can reduce plastic waste by utilizing reusable containers. Furthermore, natural ingredients are typically biodegradable, minimizing their impact on ecosystems.
DIY Whipped Body Butter Recipe
Below is a recipe that harnesses the power of natural ingredients to promote skin health, including:
Jojoba Oil: A widely known medicinal plant, jojoba has a long history of use for treating skin disorders, such as psoriasis and acne, as well as for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial activity, according to a study published in 2021 in Polymers.
Shea Butter: Due to its fatty acid content, including linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids, shea butter is naturally moisturizing. Shea butter also contains antioxidant properties and is a “significant source of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promoting compounds,” according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Oleo Science. Components of shea butter inhibited tumor promoters and one compound, in particular, inhibited skin tumor promotion in vivo. According to a 2014 study published in Phytochemistry, some constituents of shea butter also demonstrate potent inhibitory activity against melanoma cells (skin cancer).
Cacao Butter: Due to its high fatty acid content, cacao butter is touted for its ability to hydrate and moisturize the skin. Rich in phytochemicals, cacao butter may slow aging by protecting the skin against UV damage and promoting healing. According to a 2014 review article in Nutrients, flavanol-rich cocoa has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and “improves dermal blood flow, increases photoprotection and contributes to the maintenance of skin health.”
ǂEssential Oil: These natural oils add desirable aroma to body butter while providing health benefits. Rosemary essential oil, for example, contains antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that can extend the shelf-life of body butter by staving off microbial growth. Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and anticancer activities for the skin, according to a 2023 study in Antioxidants.
A Word on Ingredient Quality
Choose organic ingredients whenever possible. Organic means the crop was not genetically modified and was not sprayed with most synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
In addition to organic, when choosing oils, select products that are 100% pure, cold-pressed, and unrefined.
Essential oils are sometimes adulterated by adding a similar but cheaper oil or diluting the natural oil with various solvent oils in order to reduce costs. In 2023, ConsumersAdvocate.org tested 11 peppermint essential oil samples and four were reportedly adulterated. Therefore, choose essential oils that are 100% pure, do not contain additives or synthetic chemicals, and have been tested for heavy metals, microbes and glyphosate.
Recipe: Whipped Body Butter
Ingredients:
1/3 cup shea butter
⅓ cup coconut oil
⅓ cup cacao butter
⅓ cup jojoba oil
15-30 drops of your favorite essential oilǂ (I enjoy 2 drops rosemary and 15 drops vanilla essential oil)
Instructions:
In a glass bowl, combine shea butter, coconut oil, cacao butter and jojoba oil.
Melt the mixture over medium-low heat using a double boiler, stirring until well combined. If you don’t have a double boiler, use the glass bowl and a large pot as a substitute. When choosing the size of the pot, the glass bowl should fit comfortably over the top of the pot, almost like a lid, but leave enough space between the bottom of the glass bowl and the pot to ensure steam can flow between them. Place water in the bottom of the pot, place the glass bowl containing the ingredients on top of the pot, and simmer until the water steams.
Once all ingredients are melted and thoroughly combined, remove from heat.
Allow to cool to the touch, mixing occasionally with a hand blender.
Place the bowl in the refrigerator until the mixture begins to harden but is still somewhat soft.
Remove from the refrigerator and whip with a hand blender until the body butter reaches a creamy consistency.
Add essential oils and mix again with a hand blender.
Transfer the mixture to a clean, airtight, glass container and store in a cool location. If lotion melts due to heat exposure, place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and then blend with a hand blender until creamy.
To apply, place a small amount on your finger and gently massage into the skin.
Contraindications and Precautions
ǂPregnant or breastfeeding women, children under the age of 2, and anyone consuming prescription medications should consult their healthcare provider before using essential oils. Lavender essential oil can cause skin irritation. Nausea, vomiting, headache and chills have been reported in some people after inhaling or absorbing lavender through the skin. People with high blood pressure or epilepsy should avoid rosemary essential oil.
Before using the recipes in this article, consult with your health care provider to ensure the ingredients are aligned with your specific health needs. Always check for sensitivities or adverse reactions by applying a small amount of product. Do not use these recipes if you are allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Crafting your own body butter benefits your health, finances, and the environment. Remember to personalize the formulation to cater to your specific needs because you’re worth it!
