Whipped Natural Body Butter

An important value we have at POLYWOOD is to encourage each other to live a healthy life. A huge part of this is being conscious of what we’re putting in our bodies, but what we put ON our bodies is important, too.

I love making my own home and body products using safe and natural ingredients. Here in Indiana, the blistering cold months are upon us, so I thought I’d share my go-to recipe for natural body butter that will help keep your skin soft this winter.

There are a couple of ingredients in this recipe that may seem a little strange — tallow being one of them. Tallow is actually rendered beef fat (I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out!) and it’s actually great for your skin.

The fatty acid profile of tallow is very similar to the sebum that our bodies naturally produce to moisturize our skin. It absorbs into skin quite well and isn’t as greasy as other oils. There’s a chance it will leave you smelling like a hamburger—but don’t worry—the other ingredients in this recipe mask it well!

RECIPE
Ingredients:
¼ cup shea butter
¼ cup cocoa butter
½ cup tallow (or an additional ¼ cup each of shea butter and cocoa butter)
½ cup coconut oil
½ cup sweet almond oil or jojoba oil
2 Tbsp arrowroot powder (optional)
10–30 drops essential oils (optional)

1. Melt shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and tallow in a double boiler.
Note: If you don’t have a double boiler, simply place a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water and slowly melt the ingredients in the bowl. 

2. In a separate, smaller container, combine sweet almond oil and arrowroot powder.
Note: The arrowroot powder isn’t necessary, but it makes the body butter less greasy and helps it better absorb into your skin.

3. Place melted shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and tallow mixture in the freezer to cool. Remove when it’s still slightly soft.

4. Pour sweet almond oil/arrowroot powder mixture into shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and tallow mixture.
Note: If using essential oils, add them at this time. 

5. With a hand mixer, blend until it reaches a smooth, whipped consistency. 

6. Place in a glass container(s) and store for up to two months.
Note: If your house stays above 75 degrees, you may want to store your body butter in the fridge so it keeps its whipped consistency. If it happens to soften too much, chill and whip it again!