Get Smooth, Silky Skin With This 5-Ingredient Body Butter

It seems like there’s a baby explosion happening in my group of friends—I can’t go one week without hearing that another pal is going to be a mom in a few months!

It’s exciting to have moms-to-be in my life, and it’s really difficult not to go to the nearest children’s store and buy everything in sight. But that’s not the brightest financial plan, to say nothing of the fact that the baby probably doesn’t need five pairs of teeny tiny moccasins quite yet, no matter how cute they are.

You know who does need some love, though? Your mama friend. Nine long months of swollen ankles and a tight, itchy belly is a long haul. So what better way to show her how happy you are for her than by making her some homemade body butter? Not only does it smell great, but it’s luxurious, refreshing, and has amazing health benefits for your skin. It moisturizes, minimizes stretch marks, and restores elasticity. It also fades scars, and helps heal cuts and burns. Sound good? Whip up a double batch so you can keep some for yourself!

To make this body butter you will need:

1/2 cup shea butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond oil
1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
20-30 drops of lavender oil (or your favorite essential oil)

Preparation and directions:

Melt shea butter and coconut oil together over medium heat on the stove. Let the melted mixture cool to room temperature and then add the almond oil and vitamin E oil. Chill in the refrigerator for about one hour, until it becomes opaque. Transfer to an electric mixer with a whisk attachment. Whip on medium until the mixture becomes creamy and light. (Don’t whip it too fast, or the oils will melt again.) Add the lavender oil (or essential oil of your choice) and mix again until soft peaks have formed.

Spoon the body butter into a container with a lid. And that’s it.The cream doesn’t have to be refrigerated, but it has a nice consistency when it’s cool—a bit firmer and less greasy. The body butter will feel slightly oily when you first apply, but will absorb quickly and leave your skin feeling silky smooth.

Feel free to create different combinations with essential oils—grapefruit and lavender or orange and mint are two of my favorite combinations.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont