I love all DIY body butters, but this whipped coconut oil recipe is so easy to make, you can probably make it with what you’ve got in the kitchen right now!
Why do I love my whipped body butter?
Because I prefer a moisturizer with ingredients that don’t scare me – and the best way to find that is to DIY your own! (In case you’re curious, here’s a list of chemicals to avoid in body lotion.)
Like you, I’ve been seeking a natural alternative to those bottles of creamy (but chemical-laden) conventional lotions.
It hasn’t been easy.
Coconut oil has always been a top contender, but I couldn’t always make it work until I came up with this recipe.
Why Use Whipped Coconut Oil in this Body Butter Recipe?
I’ve been back and forth with using coconut oil as a moisturizer for a few years now.
Why?
I love that it’s pure, natural and inexpensive.
But we don’t always get along, and in the winter things get hard. Literally. I practically need a jackhammer to get enough coconut oil out of the jar to moisturize my dry winter skin.
But deep down I felt there was a way to work things out. Coconut oil and I were meant to moisturize together.
I just needed to figure out the “how”.
So here’s what I did:
One day I ran across a recipe for whipped shea butter, and this got me thinking:
What if you whip coconut oil?
Well, by golly, I had a brand new KitchenAid mixer sitting on my counter (my husband sure knows how to melt a girl’s heart on Christmas!) and a big jar of coconut oil sitting in my pantry.
The DIY-er in me took over.
The result was a light and fluffy moisturizer that far exceeded my expectations.
This is my favorite coconut oil.
DIY Whipped Body Butter FAQs
Can you use a hand mixer for this recipe?
An electric hand mixer will work, but my KitchenAid stand mixer did an amazing job and I was able to get other work done while it was mixing away.
What about a blender or food processor?
A blender or food processor will not work with this coconut oil recipe, because they tend to warm the oil too much and prevent it from whipping up.
Keeping your coconut oil cool is a must if you want it to whip.
Why is my whipped body butter hard?
Your whipped coconut oil should stay relatively soft, even at cooler temperatures. But if you’re in a really cold climate, it might harden up too much.
If that’s the case, replace some of the coconut oil with sweet almond oil before you whip it up (try 2 tablespoons at first and work your way up if needed).
You may need to melt the oils together first, then allow the mixture to cool and harden before whipping it.
Does whipped coconut oil body butter?
Yes, this recipe will melt if it gets too warm (coconut oil melts at 76 degrees Fahrenheit).
If you live in a warmer climate, it might help to melt 1-2 teaspoons of beeswax with the coconut oil. Cool the mixture until it hardens, then whip it as usual.
How to keep whipped body butter from melting?
Try the beeswax method above, or you can try whipping shea butter or cocoa butter instead (both of these have higher melting points and work better in warm climates).
How do I make this DIY body butter less greasy?
Some people find the texture of coconut oil perfect for their skin type, while others find it greasy.
Adding beeswax to the recipe can help (see two questions above). It also helps to use this recipe on damp skin right out of the bath or shower.
Can you make this recipe without coconut oil?
Yes, my next two favorites to use without whipped coconut oil in this recipe are shea butter and cocoa butter.
How long does this homemade body butter stay fresh?
Because there are no water-based liquids in this recipe, your body butter should keep for 6 months or more.
DIY Whipped Body Butter Recipe
I love that this coconut oil recipe only requires one (yes, one!) ingredient: coconut oil.
(This is my favorite brand of coconut oil.)
Anything else is completely optional.
It only takes a few minutes to whip up enough coconut oil to give you months of moisturized skin.
Plus, an entire jar of it costs less than $2 to make if you buy your coconut oil in bulk. #winning
Easy DIY Whipped Coconut Oil Body Butter
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut oil (solid or very firm)
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 30 drops essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Note: Do not melt the coconut oil first. It will only whip up if it’s solid.
- Mix on high speed with a wire whisk for 6-7 minutes or until whipped into a light, airy consistency.
- Spoon the whipped coconut oil body butter into a glass jar and cover tightly.
Notes
Have you made this DIY body butter recipe? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
More of our favorite DIY beauty recipes:
- The Best Essential Oils for Your Skin Type
- 20+ Gorgeous Sugar Scrub Recipes
- How to Use Coconut Oil for Acne
- Homemade Mouthwash for Remineralizing/Whitening Teeth
- DIY Hand Scrub Recipe
- Honey Mask For Acne
- Essential Oils for Face Moisturizer
- DIY Lotion Recipe
- How to Lighten Hair Naturally
- Organic Lip Balm Recipe
- Refined vs Unrefined Coconut Oil
Elizabeth is the founder of The Nourished Life and has been writing about natural living for 12 years. Her work has been featured at Shape, Bustle, and Mother Earth Living. Her mission is to help you lower your stress levels and find fun ways to become happier and healthier. Read more about Elizabeth here.
