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This shea and cocoa butter body balm is lovely. It uses one of my favourite home spa ingredients, shea butter. It is made from the nut of the shea tree, native to Africa. The kind we have is from Ghana, which we bought from here.
Shea butter is a white substance that is solid at room temperature. It is mostly odourless and excellent to mix in home spa products because it is non-greasy. This recipe mixes both shea and cocoa butter to make a smooth and rich moisturizer.
Body balm is like a butter for your skin. It is soft and spreadable at room temperature, but not liquidy like a lotion. I store it in a little jar and use my finger tips to scoop up the balm. For this recipe, I used four small 125ml food jars, but you can also use the same size mason jars. I kept the packaging simple, using only small scraps from Meinhilde’s cloth stash, held together with an elastic band. I recommend labelling your products, either with a permanent marker directly in the glass or the metal lid, or sticking on a paper label.
This recipe is one of many body balms we’ve featured here on Kiku Corner. Take a look at our other recipes if you enjoy this one.
Shea and Cocoa Butter Body Balm
Equipment
- four sterilized glass jars (1/2 cup each) with lids
- one heat-safe glass measuring cup (2 cups or larger)
- one pot
- one metal rack, like the kind used for canning
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 3/4 cup grapeseed oil
- 1/3 cup beeswax
- 5-10 drops essential oil, if desired
Instructions
- If the beeswax is in a block, grate it over a bowl until there is 1/3 cup. If it is really cold, microwave the block for 20 seconds to make it easier to grate.
- Add metal rack to pot. Add approximately 2 cm water and bring to a simmer.
- Add beeswax, butters, and grapeseed oil to glass measuring cup.
- Set measuring cup on rack in pot with simmering water and leave for approximately 10 minutes or until beeswax has melted.
- Pour melted mixture into sterilized glass jars.
- Add 5-10 drops of essential oil and mix with a wooden toothpick. Allow mixture to cool.
Sounds so nourishing for the skin! #MMBC
I will definitely try this recipe. It is gardening time and I need to take better care of my hands. Thank you.
Oooh- might have a go of this, my aging skin is really sensitive and I think this would be perfect #MMBC
This looks so good. I’d love to try it! #MMBC
I may have to try this recipe – it sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Amazing! It never even occurs to me that I could make my own!
That sounds fabulous. I just love anything made with shea and cocoa butter. Pinned.
My MIL always swears by shea butter, and she has the most beautiful skin.
Shea butter is so soothing for the skin. This looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing and linking with me!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I love the idea of adding essential oils to this! I’m kinda imagining lemon or maybe lavender! Thanks for sharing. Pinning!
Does this stay solid/ shelf stable?
Yes, this stays solid at room temperature. However, since there are no preservatives, the oils will go rancid eventually. It’s best used within 6 months!
I’d love to try this but would like measurements in grams or ounces. I want to make a super small one use batch and having a hard time figuring out what that measurement is. Thanks so much!
Hi Chantal,
We have run low on supplies and don’t plan on making this again anytime soon, so I won’t be able to check everything for grams or ounces. Would you be able to find a conversion chart online?