Nourish your skin and boost your mood with this DIY body butter recipe. Made with all-natural ingredients this body butter recipe uses real fruit zest (not essential oils) for its scent.
This citrus body butter is perfect for the winter months and makes a thoughtful gift for friends, family, and teachers!
Note: this recipe uses the actual fruit instead of the essential oil for scent. If using the essential oil, do not apply the lotion and head outside. In particular, citrus oils are sensitive to the sun and can cause burns.
Benefits Of The DIY Body Butter
- all-natural
- no chemicals
- easy to make
- cost-effective
- super hydrating
This is one of my go-to DIY body butter recipes because it's simple, hydrating, and keeps my skin smooth.
Furthermore, since my skin has adjusted to natural products I find that traditional products only dry it out.
Besides this, since our skin absorbs what it comes into contact with, I strive to make sure it encounters the best possible ingredients- which is why I always have DIY lotion on hand!
The Ingredients
Sweet almond oil: is great to keep a DIY body butter smooth even when it's not a whipped body butter.
Beeswax smells amazing but it also helps keep the lotion together and firm.
Cocoa butter helps keep the DIY body butter rich. You can learn more about how to choose butters for a body butter recipe.
Coconut oil especially has been shown to have healing and anti-bacterial benefits.
Infusing the oil with grapefruit and orange keeps this homemade body butter refreshing, uplifting, and perfect for summer. When possible I like to use the real product, so the rinds in this case. However essential oils work also!
Quick Tip: make sure you purchase beeswax pellets to make your life easier. I got the bright idea to buy blocks of beeswax... do you know how hard it is to cut beeswax?! I have to freeze it, hammer it, and then use it. Save yourself the trouble haha
How To Make It
- In a double boiler, combine all ingredients.
- Bring to a rolling boil and let simmer for fifteen minutes.
- Stir frequently with a mini whisk until all ingredients are combined. Let boil for another two to three minutes so make sure the beeswax won't leave any chunks.
- Pour the mixture through a small mesh sieve into two small mason jars. If using essential oil, add in the oils and whisk to combine.
- Let sit on the counter for twenty four hours to set.
How To Use The Body Butter
After you whip up a batch either selfishly hoard it to yourself or share it with friends! It makes a very thoughtful homemade spa gift.
I find this cacao butter based recipe works best on legs. It's a bit oily for my face but that's what makes it perfect on my arms and legs.
After you apply, let it sit on your skin for a couple of minutes before putting on clothes. This gives it time to absorb into your skin instead of any garments and means it won't stain your clothing either!
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The DIY Beauty Ebook For Busy Moms contains 21 easy-to-make beauty recipes from lip chaps, to lotions, and scrubs to washes.
You'll also learn the exact tricks I stumbled through on my journey and how to avoid them.
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Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Body Butter
Whipped body butter is whipped after it sets to create a really light, airy texture. Non-whipped body butter has the same nourishing properties but is thicker.
Cocoa butter, shea butter, mango butter, and macadamia butter are all amazing in a homemade body butter recipe. Each one will have it's own benefits for your skin but all of them will help nourish and hydrate.
Other DIY Recipes You'll Like
- DIY chocolate lip balm
- DIY body butter with beeswax
- Homemade anxiety bath bombs
- Do's & don't of homemade lotion
- How and why to make bath bombs
Citrus Body Butter
Equipment
- Mini Whisk
- Mini Mason Jars
Ingredients
- ½ cup almond oil
- 4 tbs coconut oil
- 4 tbs beeswax
- 2 tbs cocoa butter
- 1 tbs orange zest
- 1 tbs grapefruit zest
Instructions
- In a double boiler, combine all ingredients (except oils if using). Bring to a rolling boil and let simmer for fifteen minutes.
- Stir frequently with a mini whisk until all ingredients are combined. Let boil for another two to three minutes so make sure the beeswax won't leave any chunks.
- Pour the mixture through a small mesh sieve into two small mason jars. If using essential oils, add in the oils and whisk to combine.
- Let sit on the counter for twenty for hours to set.
Video
Notes
If you're looking for a hydrating, uplifting, and easy to make DIY body butter recipe with coconut oil- this is it!
The combination of cocoa butter and coconut oil makes your skin smooth and soft. Plus, the orange and grapefruit scents make you feel refreshed.
nidhi says
what is the shelf life of this product
fitasamamabear says
Shelf life is an "it depends". Technically there is no preservative in it so roughly 4-6 weeks. However, in my experience, so long as you don't get water in it (don't use wet hands to dip into the jar etc) it can last up to six months.
Zarah says
Hi how did you get the two different brown colours also the even darker bit half way up the bar I can see peaking out ?
fitasamamabear says
Hey There,
My apologies I'm not quite sure what you mean. There's no "bar" in this recipe? The color between the lotion versus it in the jar is from boiling the rinds into it. Not sure if that helps?
Katie/Celebrating With The Bug. says
I need to try making this my hands are ridiculously dry!
fitasamamabear says
It's a great one, super moisturizing and smells so yummy!
Tracey says
I am going to try this with my boyfriend. He has really dry patches on his legs and this might take care of it. Plus that it's all natural!!
fitasamamabear says
Definitely give it a shot- the oils make it insanely hydrating so give it a moment to absorb before putting pants/clothes on. Good luck!
Luci says
Ooooo, that looks like it will smell really good and feel good as well.
fitasamamabear says
Smells amazing! And definitely hydrating
Monika says
Wow! it looks great. I have never tried to make it home and now would love to give it a try.
Monika
fitasamamabear says
Diy beauty products are super simple (and oh so worth it) let me know if you give it try!
Jos says
I love homemade beauty products! I'll have to try some of these soon...especially that foot lotion! Looks so creamy!
fitasamamabear says
I love knowing what's in my beauty products and they're so easy to make! I love the foot lotion- it forces you to rub it in lol
Christie Moeller says
This sounds fantastic. I love DIY beauty products. I think my fav would be a vanilla/bergamot blend.
xoxo Christie
fitasamamabear says
Ohh I haven't played around too much with bergamot- I'll need to give it a try! I struggle getting the scent right with vanilla as I find it doesn't come out as much as I'd like it to most of the time. I freaking love the smell though!
Shauna says
I never thought to make my own beauty products, but I can definitely see the benefits since I do tend to have sensitive skin. I'm sure this must smell so delicious and perfect for the summer months!
fitasamamabear says
I never used to but got into homemade products about four years ago and now I love it! They're so simple it's awesome:)
Leigh says
Love this! Cant wait to try it. It's so nice to know what you're putting on your skin!
fitasamamabear says
Yes! I love knowing what's in my products and so much better when it's simple
Bianca says
I feel like this would make a great lip balm too! I wish I wasn't allergic to citrus 🙁
fitasamamabear says
Oh no! That would kill me being allergic to citrus! Vanilla would be a yummy one too though 🙂