Body Butter Recipe with Beeswax
If you are looking for an all-natural solution for skincare – you’ve come to the right place. In this tutorial, I will guide you through the art of creating your own luxurious body butter using beeswax as the secret ingredient. Beeswax adds a creaminess to the mixture to help create the ideal consistency. These step by step instructions and tips will help you craft a body butter that is customizable to your preferences.
Creating homemade skin care products is much easier than it looks. At a fraction of the cost of commercial products, this homemade body butter with beeswax recipe is very simple to make. And, it is only one of thousands of intriguing uses for beeswax.
Beeswax Body Butter – Why Beeswax?
Any investigation into homemade health and beauty recipes will reveal beeswax as a common ingredient. Why use beeswax in skin care? This natural wax forms a barrier over skin to lock in moisture.
When used in a recipe that needs to be thicker, the natural wax helps maintain the consistency of the product.
Beeswax is easy to melt, mixes well with other ingredients and solidifies at room temperature. With a relatively low melting point, it does not require any special equipment and stores indefinitely.
Ingredients You’ll Need
In truth, only 3 main ingredients are needed to make this beeswax body butter. Any additions or customizations can be used to personalize the product. I often add Vitamin E oil to enhance preservation of the oils and sometimes essential oils for scent – they are optional.
- beeswax
- shea butter
- coconut oil
Choosing the Right Beeswax
If you have the opportunity, don’t be afraid to purchase raw wax from a local beekeeper – or use wax from your own hive. This ensures that you know the purity of the wax.
You do need to use wax that is clean – but cleaning beeswax is easier than you may think.
If you don’t have access to local wax, you can always purchase beeswax pellets or bars. They have the advantage of being easier to melt and should already be free of impurities.
Shea Butter
Shea butter works like an emollient. It helps provide moisture and helps soften skin. Shea butter also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Unrefined shea butter can be used in many bath and beauty recipes.
Coconut Oil
The third major ingredient is coconut oil. Often you can find in right in the grocery store but you can order coconut oil as well.
This oil is another popular moisturizing ingredient. It is semi-solid at cool temperatures and liquid when warm – this makes it a great tool for body butters that require a firm yet smooth consistency.
Step by Step Instructions
1. Using the double boiler method (safest) melt the beeswax and add the shea butter and coconut oil to the mixture.
2. Once all the ingredients are melted – (if you want to add vitamin E oil or Essential oils) – let the mixture cool for a few minutes first. A couple of minutes on the counter or in the refrigerator should be enough.
3. After adding any desired optional ingredients (including a pinch of corn starch – if desired), use a hand blender to whip the ingredients into a light airy consistency.
4. Now, spoon the beeswax body butter into smaller containers for use.
Storage : Allow product to cool completely and store in an air tight container. It should last for several months.
Expert Tips
These tips should help you create a perfect blend and consistency for your homemade body butter.
- unlike making soap with beeswax or other ingredients, the measurements for this recipe do not have to be precise.
- basic recipe ratio -4 parts coconut oil – 2 parts shea butter and 1 part wax. Substitutions are great!
- use vitamin e oil if desired to prolong freshness and a longer shelf life
- you can purchase a bottle of vitamin E oil – but in a pinch – I have used cut open capsules
- if you use essential oils – make sure they are skin safe – and test for sensitivity in small batch
- using a hand mixer to whip the ingredients results in a lighter product
- if you plan to give this to someone – be sure to include an ingredient label due to possible allergies.
- make a small batch first if it too firm use less wax or more soft oils. It may require making several small batches before you get the exact feel that you prefer.
- temperatures are a factor-you may need to add more wax to your body butter recipe during Summer.
Homemade Body Butter VS Homemade Lotion?
Body butters and lotions are similar but not exactly the same. Butters are primarily fat based and feel a bit heavier or more luxurious.
However, lotions contain a larger percentage of water in the recipe. Meant to be a lightweight skin protector, it moisturizes in a different way.
Want to try a homemade lotion? Making lotion with beeswax instead of some other waxes gives a lighter feel and is less likely to clog skin pores.
However, because lotions contain water – they are more perishable than butters. This is why many lotion recipes call for some type of preservative to prolong the shelf life of the product.
More Ideas
After you experience the joy of creating your body butter, don’t stop! There are many other simple DIY beauty recipes to experiment with.
What can you do with a little beeswax? The possibilities are endless. You can make your own beeswax candles, beeswax lip balm even lotion bars with beeswax and oils.-but there is more… so much more to explore.
You may want to use this natural beeswax vapor rub recipe for cold and flu season – or try your hand at this natural face moisturizer.
FAQs
Your product should last about 3 months if kept in a cool place.
Adding a little vitamin E oil helps keep the other oils from going rancid but this is optional.
Yes, the color of beeswax does not matter. However, you should use clean, pure beeswax to avoid any impurities.
Coconut oil has a high melting point compared to some other oils. However, the use of beeswax helps stabilize your the product.
Different fats and oils absorb into human skin at different rates. Using a large percentage of heavy butters such as shea butter will create a greasier product. Limit the use of heavy butters or oils.
Body butter recipes do not need a preservative because they contain no water. It is okay to add some vitamin E oil to promote freshness of the oils.
Final Thoughts
Have fun getting creative with the wonders of beeswax. It is one of the most precious gifts from the honey bees. When mixed with other butters and oils, you can create a DIY body butter that anyone could be proud of – and your skin will thank you!
Resources
How to Make Beeswax Body Butter Step by Step
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Read my Disclosure.Supplies
- 6 oz coconut oil net wt
- 3 oz shea butter net wt
- 1.5 oz beeswax net wt
- 2 tsp corn starch (optional)
- 6 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
- 12 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Use your scale to measure out the beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil. I only create beeswax crafts using net weight – not volume. However you can measure in any way you wish.
- Using the double boiler melt the ingredients gently until all are liquid. Then blend well to mix ingredients.
- Remove the top pot from heat and let cool for a couple of minutes. Then, add the Vitamin E and Essential Oil if desired – stir well.
- Place in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. We want the mixture to begin to cool.
- Using a mixer of your choice, (I used a hand mixer) continuously whip the ingredients as they continue to cool and thicken. At this point, I often add a pinch of corn starch to reduce greasiness. Stop when you are pleased with the texture.
- Once the mixture cools enough to create a peak when stirred with a spoon – it is time to spoon it into the jars or containers of your choice. Store in a cool place.
Notes
- I measure beeswax crafts in units of weight. For this project, you can measure in any way you wish – our goal is to have 1 part beeswax – 2 parts Shea Butter – 4 parts coconut oil.
- *Substitute any oils you desire – I chose these for the easy availability
- *If you don’t have a bottle of Vitamin E for crafting – you can’t cut open a few vitamin E capsules.
- *The safest way to melt beeswax is always in a double boiler. Use extreme care when making any project that involves hot oils or waxes.
- *A stand mixer makes creating beeswax body butter much easier. However, if you don’t have one – don’t let that stand in your way.
