With the holiday season upon us, so are the days of freezing temperatures, low humidity, dry and flaky skin. As temperatures go down, thermostats go up – and that means less moisture in the air to keep our skin from drying out. You may have found that your lightweight moisturizer just isn’t cutting it anymore and it’s time to switch to something a bit more heavy duty. I’m giving my winter skin care regimen a boost with this homemade Lavender Vanilla Body Butter! It’s made with hydrating plant oils to help lock in moisture and contains natural anti-aging properties to nourish and protect the skin.
This body butter was inspired by my mom who has been taking steps to clean up her skin care routine (yay mom!). The original recipe was made with coconut oil, vitamin E and essential oils, but was a bit too greasy for my liking. If you’ve ever lathered pure coconut oil on your body, you know exactly what I’m talking about! While this one is still on the heavier side, the shae butter helps to create a thick and creamy consistency. I decided to use argan oil in lieu of vitamin E oil as it’s naturally rich in antioxidants (vitamin’s A and E) and essential fatty acids – which help to keep the skin elastic and firm. It’s also one of my favourite beauty elixirs because it absorbs easily without leaving your skin feeling greasy.
- ¾ cup shea butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 2 tbsp argan oil (or other carrier oil)
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops vanilla essential oil
- Using a double boiler on low heat, warm shea butter and coconut oil until softened.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add argan oil and essential oils and whisk until well combined.
- Cover and place in the fridge for about an hour, or until the oils become firm and thick.
- Using an electric hand mixer, whip the mixture until it becomes soft and fluffy (this can take a few minutes).
- Scoop into an airtight glass jar or container and store at room temperature.
I’ve been holding off on posting this because, as some of you already know, I’ve been gifting it to my closest friends and family! If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive but thoughtful gift idea, this body butter’s got you covered. The recipe doubles beautifully if you’re creating a large batch and you can even switch up the essential oils to make different scents. I love the combination of lavender and vanilla because it’s very calming and contains powerful antioxidant properties. It can help to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, boost libido, fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. The beauty of this recipe is that many of the ingredients are interchangeable and you can play around to your preference.
If you give this body butter a try over the weekend, let me know how it goes by commenting below or tagging me @wholeheartca and #wholeheartnutrition. I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with peace, happiness and lots of love!
What size of jar do you recommend?
A 4oz mason jar should do the trick!
It looks edible!
I wish it were!
Can this be added to a pump bottle for dispensing? Or is it too thick?
It’s quite thick, so I think a small jar would be your best bet!