The D I Y: Whipped Orange & Chocolate Body Butter

After yesterdays visit to the Sheabutter Cottage I have been excited to start making some DIY products for hair and body, first on my list was a very simple whipped  body (or hair) butter, 

I N G R E D I E N T S

1/2 cup of  unrefined Cocoa Butter

1/2 cup of of unrefined Shea Butter

15-30 drops of Vanilla pure essential oil

15-30 drops of Orange pure essential oil

3 TBS of pure Safflower Oil

I purchased everything bar the Safflower Oil (from Holland & Barrett) from the Sheabutter Cottage

U T E N S I L S  

Hand Held whisk

Wooden spoon

Metal mixing bowl

Sterile Jars (pop them in the micro wave for 8 minutes to sterile make sure that are microwave proof)

scales or average sized cup

H O W  TO

Bring a pan of water to the boil, fill it half way (you can pop the metal bowl on top to ensure the water level is right, it should not quite touch the bowl)

Whilst the water is boiling measure out your Shea and Cocoa Butter

Once the water is boiled place the metal bowl on top of the pan creating a bain-marie (using a bain-marie will stop the cocoa butter from burning out and loosing it's smell)

Put the cocoa butter into the bowl first and melt down until completely liquefied

Then add the shea butter which should be at room temperature mix together until liquefied

You can now add you safflower oil, and essential oils

GIVE IT A GOOD STIR!

remove the bowl from the pan and cool for a minute or two

THEN WHISK!

for what seems like forever but is actually only 20 minutes, your mixture will turn milky after about 10 minutes then thick and creamy after 20 minutes (bit like a meringue)

I hindsight I would liked to have used a piping bag to decant my butter but I didn't have one so I spooned my mixure into a sterile container

The butter it self is light and fluffy and smells just like a Terry's Chocolate Orange!

B E N E F I T S

S H E A B U T T E R

Shea butter is rich in fatty acids including oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that help heal and protect the skin and lock in moisture. It has a buttery texture which is easily absorbed into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Shea butter has anti inflammatory properties and is rich in antioxidant vitamins A and E and catechins which are proven to help prevent skin damage from ultraviolet radiation. It also contains vitamins D and F. Shea butter is not only used as a moisturiser to reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars and stretch marks but also to treat burns, insect bites, diaper rash, eczema and psoriasis. [SOURCE]

C O C O A B U T T E R

Cocoa butter is one of the most highly concentrated and stable fats available and has been used for thousands of years in skin care items and of course, chocolate. The benefits of cocoa butter for preventing bad stretch marks during pregnancy are well-known. The Vitamin E in cocoa butter promotes the skin’s elasticity, minimizing the formation and appearance of scar tissue. Also, cocoa butter contains cocoa mass polyphenol or CMP which helps stop production of immunoglobulin that worsens skin conditions like eczema. [SOURCE]

O R A N G E O I L

Orange essential oil is shown to promote the production of collagen as well as increase the blood flow to the skin. It is helpful at soothing dry, irritated skin as well as acne-prone skin. It is excellent for rubbing on calluses on the feet. [SOURCE]

V A N I L L A O I L

Since it is a powerful antioxidant, vanilla essential oil is used for skin care as well. A few drops of vanilla oil when added to any face pack prevent damage of the skin cells, due to the toxic action of pollutants and toxins. [SOURCE]

S A F F L O W E R O I L

Safflower oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, a natural posturing agent. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid found in plants, fish oil, meat and dairy products. It is a necessary nutrient and helps maintain elasticity in the skin by removing flaky, dry skin and enabling the skin to retain moisture. Safflower oil does not clog the pores, making it suitable for sensitive skin. [SOURCE]