Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Shea Cocoa Avocado Oil Body Butter (with an Anti-Itch Recipe)

It gets mighty hot here where I live in Northern California.  In fact, the forecast calls for 108 degrees on Saturday.  But it's all good.  I grew up in this weather.  I lived in the desert as a child for 7 years (near Death Valley) and other super hot locations in Cali.  Luckily, my skin does not react to the hot weather (it DOES react to the cold dry weather, however).  My husband has super sensitive skin and thus gets terrible eczema on his hands.  And my sweet-pea son, Ethan, well, you can read about his journey with eczema here.  It's essential that my guys stay lathered up with lotion during the hot summer months, so a big ole' batch of homemade body butter was on my to-do list this week.  And I made more than enough for the entire summer.  This lotion contains four simple (and edible) ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, and vegetable glycerin.  And this lotion is great for so much more than a moisturizer for eczema/dry skin (good for scars, scratches/cuts, sunburns, nails, under eyes, wrinkles, massage, lips, rashes, etc).  

I want to take a moment to share why I use these particular ingredients and their benefits.

What is Shea Butter?

Why I love it: 
*Natural sunblocking properties 
*Joint pain relief 
*Anti-inflammatory 
*Excellent moisturizer 
*Long self life 

What is Cocoa Butter? 

Why I love it: 
*Natural antioxidant 
*Excellent moisturizer 
*Great for scars
*Protects from environmental pollutants
*Long self life 

What is Avocado Oil?

Why I love it: 
*High in sterolin 
*Contains vitamin A, D & E
*Anti-bacterial 
*Anti-inflammatory 

What is Vegetable Glycerin?

Why I love it:
*Anti-bacterial 
*Draws oxygen into the blood
*Can be used in place of alcohol 
*Excellent moisturizer
Shea + Cocoa + Avocado Oil Body Butter 
(with Anti-Itch Recipe)

Ingredients
-16 ounces raw organic shea butter, cubed 
-4 ounces raw organic cocoa butter, shaved* 
-1/4 cup avocado oil (hexane-free)
-2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin 

How to:
1.  In a food processor add 16 ounces shea butter.  Pulse a few times to break it down.  With the food processor running, add in the vegetable glycerin and avocado oil.  
2.  Add 4 ounces cocoa butter to a glass pyrex and set into a pot of heated water.  Do not let the cocoa butter rise above 118 degrees (if you want this to be a raw lotion).  Remove from heat once things are looking good and melted and continue to stir around.  The heat will melt any little remaining chunks.
3.  Drizzle the cocoa butter into the food processor.  Mix until well incorporated.* 
4.  Scoop out lotion into glass jars and lather up!

Anti-Itch Recipe:
Mix together 1/2 cup homemade lotion and 2 teaspoons gluten free colloidal oatmeal.  Use on persistent itchy skin.  Add more oatmeal to lotion as needed.  

Notes:
*Yes, this recipe is oily but it does eventually absorb into the skin. 
*Initially, the lotion is super thin in texture.  It's suppose to be.  It will firm up as it cools.  Additionally, the lotion will slightly change texture with the weather (hotter days will soften the lotion, cold winter days will harden it).    
*This lotion will keep for months at room temperature. You can store it in the fridge though too.
*I usually just shave the cocoa butter and run it in the food processor with the other ingredients until it gets warms and melts.  But this time I melted it for a smooth, creamy finish.  To keep the cocoa butter raw, keep the heat under 120 degrees.  
*I purchase all the ingredients locally, except for the shea butter (I do order that on-line). 

Here is the shea butter
I weigh all my ingredients 
Here is the cocoa butter 

Here is the mixture with the shea, 
vegetable glycerin, and avocado oil 
This is how I melt the cocoa butter.  
Be sure to shave it before you heat it, it will melt faster and more evenly. 
Pouring cocoa butter into mixture 
Look at how velvety! 

Here is the oatmeal in the coffee grinder 
Add it to the lotion and mix 
Initially, the mixture will be very thin from the warm cocoa butter, but it firms up quite a bit as it sets.  See the pictures here below for texture.  
  

Other homemade lotions/body butters from The Tasty Alternative 


3. Cocoa and Shea Body Butter with Jojoba and Vanilla

_____________________________________
Shared on: Raw Foods Thursday, Wellness Weekend, Whole Food Fridays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays

34 comments:

  1. These are definitely a must-try for me. Not only is my skin almost always dry, it's also sensitive. Your recipe might be the solution to my problem. Thanks for posting about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi MT,

      Hope you find the recipe helpful! We love it.

      Delete
    2. This is the only way I. Could figure out to comment! Any alternative you would recommend for avocado oil? My lo has bad eczema but is allergic to avacado. Could I do olive with some vitamin e to perserve serve it longer?

      Delete
  • This looks great! If I wanted to create more of an ointment like lotion (closer to the thickness of something Aquaphor) would adding beeswax help? My 4 month has a couple of rough patches on his cheeks and I'm thinking I need something thicker to stay on ... but maybe not?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi There Michaela,

      Thanks for your comment. Sorry the pictures are a bit misleading. The lotion firms up quite a bit after if cools. The warm cocoa butter makes everything very soft, but it solidifies after a few hours. There is no need for beeswax. I will make this more clear in the post. Thank you. :-)

      Delete
  • What nourishing body butter and way less expensive to make your own than buying it at Whole Foods! Love all your homemade recipes Amber.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Laura. I agree it's sooo much cheaper to make at home. And it just feeling fabulous. :-)

      Have a great weekend friend.

      xo,
      --Am

      Delete
  • Thank you so much for your inspiration and guidance! I also really appreciate that you always link to the products you use - it is a great starting point for my own research. I am quite happy with the skin care products that I am using, but as a next step I am now super intrigued to try to make my own - for full control of the ingredients that I put in. Love your site and love reading your posts! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for stopping by today and leaving such a nice comment. It warms my heart that I provide inspiration. I feel so inspired by others, so nice to see that come full circle. :-)

      Enjoy the rest of your day.

      Be Well,
      --Amber

      Delete
  • Just found your site - doing lots of research to find out what all is out there.
    Do you sell you body lotions and butters?
    Do you have an email address?
    thanks,
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mary Jo,

      I do not sell anything on this site. I simply share my recipes in hopes to inspire others.

      Thanks,
      --Amber

      P.S. My email can be found above on the "contact me" link under "About Amber"

      Delete
  • That sounds amazing!
    I just made cocoa butter - oatmeal - coconut oil body butter and I love it. Have been making my own lotions for years now and can't imagine going back to store bought (yuck)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So great, Ewa! Always enjoy meeting others who make their own lotions. :-) It's addicting.

      Delete
  • Heather @Gluten-Free CatJune 12, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    Amber, I am in love with this post!!! I started having skin issues the last year and realized that my shampoo of 10 years had wheat in it! Apparently my skin is hearty and it took a long time for me to experience symptoms. But now I'm really careful about what I put ON my body as well as in.

    I can't wait to make this homemade creamy delight. Thanks so much for a great step-by-step post. I'm going to need it when I make this after we're settled.

    I'm highlighting this tomorrow at RFT too!

    xoxo,
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Heather,

      That's crazy about your shampoo! So glad you figured that out. I think you will really love making your own homemade lotions. It's so easy and fun. And thank you for the feature on RFT! Always an honor.

      Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  • Tessa Domestic DivaJune 17, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    I love your lotions...and this is no exception! You were my inspiration to start making my own, and I look fwd to trying this one too! featuring this this week...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tessa! This one is by FAR my favorite. I've been using it as a facial lotion and it's fabulous. Those little wrinkles are less noticeable and my skin is so even, soft, and glowing. I love it!!!

      Delete
  • The Cocoa Butter you recommend is unavailable. Can you recommend another brand?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi There,

      Thanks for letting me know. I use a brand that I purchase at my local Natural Food Coop called: Ojio. In all honesty, any raw organic cocoa butter will do. There are a ton of links out there. If you cannot find it locally, my advice is to search on line and find the best deal. Amazon has some great choices. Hope this helps.

      Delete
  • HI Amber, Beautifu blog you have. I am going through topical steroid withdrawal for eczema. Interested to try out this recipe of yours. I m from Malaysia. I found an online store here that sells raw ingredients. However, they have a variety like unrefined or refined cocoa butter, unrefined or refined shea butter light or great flavour, refined or unrefined avocado oil. COuld you help me suggest which I should choose? they don't have vegetable glycerine. ANy substitute if I can't find it around here? This is going to be my first time trying so I hope it 's nt too difficult. do let me know of any tips and tricks...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Meishi,

      Thank you for your kind words! I would suggest you check out the links I've provided and see if they sell those. If not, just make sure your products are 100% organic and raw and you should be fine. It's okay if you don't have the glycerine. No substitution needed. Good luck on your first lotion. I think you will find it very healing and soothing for your skin. Let me know how it goes. Oh, but remember that lotion alone will not put your eczema into remission. You also need to look into your diet, what your are putting on your skin during the day (what detergent you are using, what soap, etc). We do a lot of things to help my son's skin and lotion is just one component. Good luck!

      Delete
  • I have tried various cocoa butters what made you go with Ojio? What type of food processor do you use?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I purchase what is available and reasonably priced. I found the Ojio at my local natural foods store. But I also purchase online. I've included a link to the cocoa butter I purchase online. Here is the food processor I use:
      http://astore.amazon.com/thetastalte-20/detail/B0000TFCO0

      Delete

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