DIYDS BODY BUTTER BAR: GREAT FOR ECZEMA & DRY SKIN by Tanya Rapley

Last year I started making body butter for my fiancé and I. Well he completely changed the game up when he brought home a body butter bar as a gift. I was immediately fascinated and like the portability of the bars.

Because I am too cheap to pay others to do things I can do myself, I took to the magical land called Pinterest in search of an easy recipe. The ingredients and supplies were slightly different from my butter butter recipe but the concept was the same.

Winter is upon us my loves. If you have dry skin you will seriously want to consider this recipe. I have terribly dry skin. Like white flakes and my skin cracks dry, but these homemade body butter bars were so effective I can skip a day (Hey Mitchum!). And our homemade concoctions have tremendously helped my fiancé with his Eczema.

Here is what you will need:

• Shea Butter

  
  I used to buy my Shea from the stores in my neighborhood, but I found that they had a strong smell. Turns out most of those vendors are selling old Shea. I took to Amazon and purchased it from this vendor. I have never felt Shea so smooth. I will be ordering from this vendor from now on.

• Cocoa Butter

  I used what I had left over from my local suppliers.

• Sweet Almond Oil

  
  Nothing fancy but it gets the job done.

• Beeswax

  
  This the secret weapon, it keeps the bar solid. I was very particular about the type I bought and wanted to make sure I had one that was good for cosmetic usage. I opted for a bar the first time around but highly recommend the pellets, the will melt easier and are easier to measure.

• Your Choice of Essential Oil

• Silicone Baking Pan

  
  This is what you use to mold them. You do not need to do any actual baking. Your bars will solidify in the mold and you can pop them out easily.

Tools: A Double boiler ( I made mine by placing a glass mixing bowl atop a pot of boiling water),  Spatula, Oven mittens

Note: I purchased a glass bowl and spatula for mixing my body butters ONLY. I’m weird about the possibility of having the fragranced oils come in contact with food and I don’t have dishwasher so I don’t want to chance it)

I eyeball my measurements, but if you want to be precise here are exact amounts:

• 3 oz – Bees Wax
• 3 oz – Cocoa Butter
• 3 oz – Shea Butter
• 3 oz – Jojoba or any other liquid oil such as olive oil

Now for the steps.

The process is ridiculously easy. This is for people who do not have a double boiler. If you do, skip to item #2:

1. Place about 4.5 cups of water into your pot and place it on the stove. I’d say put it on medium to high heat. You want the water to boil. Place your glass bowl on top of the pot.
2. Empty your Shea butter, Beeswax, and Cocoa butter into the glass bowl (while it is sitting on top of the pot) This allows it to melt to a solid without burning. Stirring and breaking up the clumps occasionally with your spatula.
3.Once your Shea butter and Cocoa butter are about 75% melted, add in your sweet almond oil.
3. After everything is melted completely and blended, begin adding in your fragrance oils. Be careful not to be heavy handed, certain essential oils are very strong. Stir. You will have to gauge the smell by holding it up to your nose. This is common sense but do not rub it into your skin, it is extremely hot.
4. Pour mixture into your silicone mold and allow to cool. I prefer to put mine in the freezer.
Once bars are completely solid you will know. I’d say it takes about 1 -1.5 hours. Once solid, you can use it immediately!