I am a massive vanilla fan and try to put it in as many homemade products as I can! This super fluffy, smells so good you want to eat it, body butter is no exception.
Many store bought body butters and moisturisers contain numerous ingredients I can't pronounce, and when googled, terrify me. When I first learned that whatever you put on your skin gets absorbed into your blood stream within 30 seconds, I have been very cautious with what I use. This body butter contains no nasties at all, and can be made completely organic if you choose to. It contains nourishing ingredients designed to retain moisture, restore elasticity, reduce stretch marks and heal. So not only is it super good for your skin, it smells INCREDIBLE!
Homemade body butter makes a perfect gift and is so easy to customise. Simply use different essential oils to get a personalised scent.
So how will these ingredients help your skin?
SHEA BUTTER
What is it?
this beauty comes from the seeds of a Shea (Karite) Tree and is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It is rated SPF 6 and contains healthy fatty acids and other goodies to help collagen production.
Benefits:
• Moisturising - because of the concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, Shea butter is known for its moisturising properties, and is often used to remedy dry skin as well as protecting its natural oils.
• Reduces inflammation - Shea butter also contains cinnamic acid, which is a known anti-inflammatory, which can help those with acne.
• Skin smoothing - As mentioned above, shea butter helps with collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids to help prevent skin drying out.
COCOA BUTTER
Cocoa butter is the fat that is extracted from the cocoa bean and used to make what most of us consider our weakness...CHOCOLATE :) Just like our Shea butter friend, cocoa butter also contains a host of goodies which make it a perfect skin moisturiser.
Benefits:
• Prevents skin dryness and peeling - Cocoa butter is a great source of antioxidants, which are great for the heart. (Remember that what we put on our skin makes its way inside our body, so our moisturiser can have multiple effects).
• Skin protector - whenever you put cocoa butter on your skin, you are helping to give it a protective layer due to its emollient properties. This helps to block the effects nature can have on our skin, such as wind and sun.
• Fights signs of ageing and boosts your immune system - the antioxidant powers in cocoa butter help to reduce inflammation and balance hormones. Inflammation is a nasty contributor to a compromised immune system. Our immune system and the effects of the sun and wind all play a part in ageing our skin. So, you could really just slather yourself in cocoa butter melted down with a carrier oil.
COCONUT OIL
This is a staple in my household, and in most natural homemade products. Not only is this great for the skin, but is also great to use in cooking and even salad dressings. It truly is a multi-purpose ingredient.
Benefits:
• Moisturising - coconut oil is arguably one of the best skin moisturisers out there. I often use just coconut oil directly on my skin and on the ends of my hair.
• Anti-bacterial - its anti-bacterial properties protect your skin from potential pathogens. Its most useful help lies in reduces the risk of bacteria contributing to acne, thanks to the lauric acid it contains.
• Environmental barrier - not only is coconut oil great from protecting your skin from bacteria, but it also contains SPF 4 to help protect your skin from the sun rays further helping to combat signs of ageing.
SWEET ALMOND OIL
This makes the perfect carrier oil for many beauty and skin care products. Did you know that almonds are actually considered a fruit, not a nut? There ya go, useless fact for the day. You're welcome. It's use goes way back to ancient civilisations to treat many skin conditions.
Benefits
• Hypoallergenic - Sweet Almond Oil is mild, hypoallergenic oil that is safe for all ages and those with sensitive skin.
• Protective - this is an easily absorbed protective oil filled with antioxidants and UV blocking assistance to help keep skin soft and supple.
• Cleaner - because of its light texture, Sweet Almond Oil can be used to gently dislodge debris from deep within skin pores and follicles. It also contains Vitamin A to help reduce future acne breakouts.
Well, there are all the reasons why this body butter is a must have in your daily skin routine! Let's make this!
RECIPE
Ingredients:
¼ cup shea butter (raw and unrefined) (where I buy mine)
¼ cup cocoa butter (where I buy mine)
¼ cup coconut oil (where I buy mine)
¼ cup sweet almond oil (where I buy mine)
1 vanilla bean pod
10-15 drops lavender essential oil (where I buy mine)
Method:
1. Place all ingredients, except vanilla bean and lavender essential oil, in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water (double boiler) and gently stir until everything has melted.
2. Place mixture in the fridge for an hour or two to harden.
3. Using an electric stand or hand mixer, whip the mixture until it is nice and fluffy. About 10 minutes. During this process, add the vanilla and lavender essential oil. You can easily swap for another essential oil if you would prefer.
4. Store in a glass jar in a cool, dark place to prevent melting and reducing the benefits of the essential oil. It should last for up to a year.
DO YOU LOVE VANILLA TOO? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS GORGEOUS BODY BUTTER x
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