I wanted to share my super simple DIY body butter recipe! This was shared with me by a friend, and I modify it based on what I plan to use it for. It makes my life so much easier, I know it's natural and non-toxic for my body and for my babies, and it is so much cheaper than buying lotions at the drug store. If you're looking for a non-toxic body lotion that can be used for you and your babies, this is my favorite!
I love using this body butter during pregnancy. I personally use it all over after I shower, but it can also be used just as a belly butter to prevent stretch marks. It has worked well for me for both of my pregnancies (although lets be real, stretch marks just happen sometimes mamas. And they can be hereditary! So I'm not claiming this to be a miracle cream, but it definitely helps nourish the skin as it stretches). It can be a little more greasy than drug store lotions, but it absorbs quickly. I also love this as a hand cream. I place a small tub of it by my kitchen sink for those dry winter months. It is lightly scented, and the scent can be adjusted based on your preferred blend of essential oils.
This is also a safe lotion for newborns, babes, and toddlers with a few modifications. I began using it with my son, Weston, immediately after he was born. This was the only lotion I used for several months. It is so so good for their skin, and I trust the ingredients. For babies I would specifically go lighter on the essential oils, and only use "baby-safe" oils. My preference is just 5 drops of lavender essential oil for babes.
The ingredients are all easily ordered on Amazon, or anywhere you can find bulk fair trade products.
I prefer just Shea Butter and Mango Butter for my babes' lotion. When I'm making it during pregnancy, I add in Cocoa Butter to nourish my stretching belly. Shea Butter is a product I keep on hand for alllll of my DIY recipes (lotions, face creams, hand salves, etc). It's the best, so gentle, hydrating, and versatile. Mango Butter is so good for the skin, nourishing, and light.
Calendula and Sweet Almond Oils are healing, anti-inflammatory, and nourishing for the skin. Feel free to leave these oils out if you want your lotion a little less greasy. I find that this lotion absorbs really quickly though and doesn't leave my skin greasy all day!
Coconut Oil is probably my favorite ingredient in this lotion because I'm OBSESSED with coconut oil. I use Organic Virgin Coconut Oil from Costco. I buy a big tub and keep it in my kitchen because we use it for everything! Cooking, smoothies, my face and hands (I put it on my face at night after washing and it makes my skin SO soft, doesn't clog pores, and absorbs real quick), baby skin and ouchies, or as a carrier oil for any essential oils I apply topically. I even use it for my pups in their DIY toothpaste recipe that I make. So buy the coconut oil... You won't regret it! Coconut oil has healing properties, is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, absorbs SO fast, is not greasy, and is great at healing and softening skin. It's essential in any lotion recipe in my opinion!
Essential Oils are the final ingredient to this recipe. Feel free to customize and play around with essential oils to make a scent that you like! I made this batch for my pregnant belly. I use it all over and wanted a scent that was light and sweet, but not too strong. I used Lavender and Ylang Ylang Oil, which is a nice, sweet, floral scent. If you want to know more about essential oils reach out to me! I get all of my oils from Young Living. They are the best quality, ethically sourced, and I know they are pure. I would love to share oils with you, just drop me a line or a comment if you are interested or want to learn more!
Once I'm done whipping my lotion I just place it in glass jars. This body butter is so versatile and can be used for so many things. This batch made me 3 glass jars of lotion. I just wanted to share this little mama hack because a little goes a long way, saves me money, and makes me feel so much better about the products I'm putting on myself and my babes' skin.
I love DIY beauty products and plan to share more. If you try this recipe I'd love to hear about it! Reach out if you have any questions or want to share how your lotion making went!
HOMEMADE BELLY BUTTER RECIPE (Great For Pregnant Bellies)
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Mango Butter
1/4 Cup Cocoa Butter
1/4 Cup Shea Butter
1/4 Cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
3 tbsp Calendula Infused Oil
1 tbsp Sweet Almond Oil
10 drops of your favorite essential oils (I did 5 drops lavender, 5 drops Ylang Ylang)
Instructions:
Melt the Manga Butter, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, and Coconut Oil using a double broiler OR in a glass bowl or dish placed on top of a small pot of boiling water on the stove (this is what I do since I do not have a double broiler - just make sure your bowl or dish is glass and balances well on top of your pot of water so it is not touching the water)
Once melted, pour melted mixture into a mixing bowl
Add Calendula Infused Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Essential Oils to mixture
Allow to cool for a few hours on the counter, or place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes (it will start to thicken)
Using a hand mixer, whip the oils to a fluffy, creamy consistancy
Place into whatever storage containers you prefer.
Store in a cool, dry place.
HOMEMADE BABY BUTTER RECIPE (Great for baby/toddler sensitive skin)
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Mango Butter
1/4 Cup Shea Butter
1/4 Cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
3 tbsp Calendula Infused Oil
1 tbsp Sweet Almond Oil
Up to 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Instructions:
Melt the Manga Butter, Shea Butter, and Coconut Oil using a double broiler OR in a glass bowl or dish placed on top of a small pot of boiling water on the stove (this is what I do since I do not have a double broiler - just make sure your bowl or dish is glass and balances well on top of your pot of water so it is not touching the water)
Once melted, pour melted mixture into a mixing bowl
Add Calendula Infused Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Essential Oils to mixture
Allow to cool for a few hours on the counter, or place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes (it will start to thicken)
Using a hand mixer, whip the oils to a fluffy, creamy consistancy
Place into whatever storage containers you prefer.
Store in a cool, dry place.
I hope you find this recipe helpful, easy to make, and nourishing for your belly or your babes. When Wes was about 4 months, we had a quick struggle with eczema that I will share more about later - It's one of those things that I want to make sure I talk about because it's so common and there can be so many different things that cause it! And just remember mamas, ALL babies are different. If something isn't working for you and your babe, don't be afraid to switch it up, ask friends or your doctors/nurses for recommendations, and always go with your gut! For the most part, this lotion has been a staple for our household. I hope it helps you and your babes too.
So much love, mamas.
Erin
Becoming Mama