Homemade Body Butter Recipe with 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.

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Choosing the Right Beeswax

If you have the opportunity, don’t be afraid to purchase raw bees 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. Cleaning beeswax is easier than you may think – don’t be afraid to clean it again if in doubt.

If you don’t have access to local wax, you can always purchase beeswax pellets (I like these) 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.

Some folks are allergic to Shea or just prefer something else – cocoa butter is a nice substitute.

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.

Equipment

You will need something to melt the beeswax in – a double boiler will work. I LOVE these little candy melting pots and have several I use for crafting.

Yes, you can melt things in the microwave but I try to avoid it. Be careful and keep safety in mind to prevent fires or burns.

You will see that I am using a hand blender – a stand blender is even better. This is a not a requirement but very useful if you are into whipped body butter. A simple whisk will work if you have the muscle to power it.

Step by Step Instructions

Full ingredients and Instructions At Bottom of Post

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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 and Shelf Life

Allow your homemade body butter to cool completely in a wide mouth jar or container of choice. You will need a tight-fitting lid too.

It should last for several months. In hot weather, I choose to keep my in the refrigerator to keep it firmer until ready to use.

Whipping Body Butter Tips

Full disclosure – I don’t do a lot of whipping, perhaps I’m too impatient. But, if your goal is a very light, fluffy non-greasy body butter – good whipping technique is just want you want.

• let all combined ingredients start to cool and solidify a bit
• you can “whip it real good” but a hand or stand mixer incorporates more air for a bigger fluff
• start on low speed and switch to medium high
• in 5 – 10 minutes (depending on room temperature) you will notice a change in consistency

• unlike making soap with beeswax or honey, 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 beeswax.
• 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
• if you plan to gift 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 beeswax 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, whip up a batch of homemade 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 honey face moisturizer.