With a dreamy, whipped texture, this body butter deeply moisturizes skin. It also smoothes roughness and softens the appearance of cellulite.
This body butter is formulated with shea, cocoa, and mango butter, and hydrating oils for a softening effect. It’s the ideal body moisturizer for dry and mature skin. It can also be used to moisturize problem areas like elbows, knees, and hands. Read on The Little Homestead Company LLC for more information.
Body butter is deeply moisturizing and can protect your skin from dryness. It is typically made with a combination of naturally derived butters like cocoa, shea and mango butter that are known to nourish the skin.
The best way to use body butter is after a bath or shower, once you have towel-dried your skin. Scoop a little out with your fingers and apply to your skin. The natural oils in the butter will help it melt and spread easily. Rub it in well, focusing on the areas of your body that are especially dry or itchy.
Using body butter regularly can also prevent flaky or patchy skin. It can be particularly beneficial for areas of the body that are prone to dryness, such as knees and elbows. Some body butters are formulated with special ingredients to target specific skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. The oleic acid in shea butter can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite while the linoleic acid in sunflower oil helps to improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Body butters are often enriched with essential oils, such as ylang-ylang and orange blossom to give them a luxurious scent. They may also contain other natural ingredients, such as aloe vera, arrowroot powder and vitamin E oil (an excellent anti-oxidant). These natural oils and extracts help to soften and soothe the skin while improving its elasticity and providing a radiant glow.
It is important to choose a body butter that is free of chemicals and preservatives. Ideally, it should be made with ingredients that are organic and locally sourced. This will ensure that the product is safe to use and will not irritate your skin. It is also a good idea to select a body butter that has been formulated without any nut oils or coconut oil, which are commonly associated with allergic reactions.
Body butter is easy to make at home, and it makes a great gift for yourself or others. You will need a double boiler or a microwave, a mixing bowl, a whisk and some containers to store your body butter. Before you begin, make sure that your work area is clean and sanitized, and that all of your tools are sterilized. If you are making a large batch, it is a good idea to add some natural preservatives, such as Optiphen or Leucidal Liquid SF, to the mixture, in order to avoid microbial growth.
Nourishing
Body butter is rich in skin nourishing ingredients such as Shea, Cocoa, and Mango Butter. These natural oils provide the skin with essential nutrients such as Vitamin A and E, which help delay signs of aging like wrinkles. They also help moisturize the skin, making it soft and smooth. The high concentration of nourishing ingredients makes body butters a great choice for people with dry, irritated or flaky skin.
It is important to know how to use body butter correctly in order to reap all of its benefits. Since it is thicker than a typical body lotion, it should be applied after bathing while the skin is still damp. It is also important to only apply a small amount of the product because a little goes a long way. Using too much can cause it to clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Incorporating skin-friendly essential oils and fragrance oil into your body butter can help give it the perfect scent. You can also add other beneficial ingredients such as oil based extracts like calendula or lavender, and powdered colorants like micas. Some recipes call for a stabilizing ingredient like arrowroot, which helps to keep the body butter from “falling” or losing its light and airy texture.
A natural preservative, like Optiphen or Leucidal Liquid SF, can also be added to the recipe for longevity. This ingredient inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms that can spoil the ingredients and result in bacterial contamination of the finished product.
Once the body butter is ready, it can be stored in an airtight container for up to six months. It is important to keep it away from direct sunlight or excessive heat, as this can speed up the oxidation process and shorten its shelf life. It is also best to store it in a cool place, as hot temperatures and humidity can affect the consistency of the body butter and make it melt. It is also recommended to only use a clean spatula or spoon when scooping out the body butter, as introducing outside contaminants can lead to microbial growth.
Softening
Body butter is a great way to keep the skin soft, especially in winter. The rich blend of oils and butters give it occlusive properties, keeping moisture locked in. This is also why they are especially beneficial for dry and scaly skin.
Because of their high fat content, body butters also tend to be very nourishing. They are thicker than lotion, but lighter than a cream, so they provide a high level of nourishment without making the skin feel heavy or greasy. They are also more concentrated than other moisturizing products, providing intense hydration that lasts a long time.
Another great benefit of body butter is that it helps to smooth out the texture of the skin. This is particularly useful for rough and dry areas like knees, elbows, and feet. It is very easy to apply, and it can be gently massaged into the skin.
When choosing a body butter, be sure to check the label to make sure that it is free of harsh ingredients, such as alcohol, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Also look for a natural preservative such as Optiphen or Leucidal Liquid SF, which can help to inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause spoilage. Homemade body butters typically have a shelf life of several months to a year, depending on the ingredients and the recipe.
To make body butter at home, melt the shea and cocoa butters together, and then add the essential oils and any other optional add-ins that you want to use. Stir to combine the ingredients, and then let the mixture cool slightly until it starts to solidify a bit but is still liquid in the middle. Once the butter is a light, whipped consistency, transfer it into clean, dry containers with lids, and store in a cool place.
Anti-Aging
Body butter is an anti-aging solution for the skin. It is a highly concentrated formula containing healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins. These ingredients nourish the skin, making it feel firm and smooth. They also help to fade the appearance of fine lines and necklines, and can even soften the appearance of discoloration. This is why many people choose to use body butter as an anti-aging moisturizer.
While body butter is moisturizing, it can also be used to exfoliate the skin. By gently rubbing it into the skin, it will help to lift away dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. The resulting brighter and more youthful appearance is why so many people choose to use body butter as an exfoliating solution.
Aside from being a great way to exfoliate, body butter can also be used to treat dryness and other skincare issues. The natural oils and nourishing ingredients found in most body butters can penetrate deep into the skin, hydrating it from within. This is particularly beneficial for areas of the body that are prone to dryness like the hands and feet.
There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing a body butter, as they come in different textures and formulations. Some are solid at room temperature, while others are cream-based or gel-like. They can be scented with essential oils or fragrance oil, which adds both a smell and therapeutic properties to the formula.
Some of the best body butters are enriched with antioxidants and vitamins that help to rejuvenate the skin, such as vitamin A and E. These fat-soluble vitamins are well known for their ability to boost collagen production and promote a more radiant complexion. In addition, most body butters contain ingredients that are soothing and gentle, so they can be used to treat sensitive skin. These include shea butter, kokum butter, cocoa butter, and mango butter.