Apply this body butter right out of the shower while your skin is damp to lock in moisture. It hydrates with shea and cocoa seed butter, plus sunflower oil and nutrient-rich pansy extract. With a dreamy, whipped texture, this moisturizer instantly smoothes rough spots and nourishes with shea and murumuru butter and nourishing ceramides. It’s also free of added fragrance and phthalates, making it dermatologist-approved.
Body Butter is a luxurious, thick moisturizer that provides intense hydration to the skin. It is especially beneficial for areas prone to dryness, such as elbows, knees, and hands. This product is an excellent addition to any skincare routine, but it is essential during the winter when the dryness can really be felt.
There are several different types of butters that can be used in body butter formulations, including cocoa and shea butters. Cocoa butter is a natural thickening agent that also offers some skin-enhancing benefits, such as nourishing vitamin E and antioxidants. Shea butter is also a popular ingredient as it offers skin-enhancing fatty acids, such as omega 3 and 6, while being a fantastic thickener.
The other main ingredient that is often included in a body butter is a non-greasy oil, such as sweet almond, jojoba or grapeseed oils. These are all able to be absorbed easily by the skin and offer a lightweight feel to the product. Coconut oil is another option, but it can be very greasy and may not suit all skin types.
In order to make the product soft and fluffy, additional thickening agents are frequently added. Plant-derived waxes can improve the texture and are a good choice as they are stable in warmer temperatures, which helps to prevent the product from melting or changing texture. Other texturizing ingredients, such as fatty alcohols, can also be used to create a smoother consistency.
Essential oils can also be added to a body butter for fragrance and additional skin-boosting properties. These can be extracted using maceration or CO2 extraction, and are commonly used in the form of calendula, sea buckthorn and evening primrose oil.
To apply body butter, simply scoop a small amount with fingers or a clean spoon and gently massage into the skin. The ideal time to do this is after showering when the skin is damp. This can help the product to absorb more effectively and seal in moisture. It is best to focus on the extra dry areas of the body such as the elbows, knees and heels.
Nourishing Natural Ingredients
Body butter is a special formulation that’s richer than lotion and infused with oils and butters, often with specialized ingredients like antioxidants. It’s also designed to be used on the skin below the neck (versus facial skin which can become greasy with heavy moisturizing products). The ideal body butter will have an optimal thickness and skin feel while being gentle, non-greasy and fragranced to match a desired theme. Graininess, strange colors or an unpleasant aroma are all signs of a less than ideal formulation concept.
The key to making a body butter at home is to gently heat all ingredients (minus delicate ingredients such as essential oils) until they’re liquified. Then they can be poured into a glass container and allowed to cool to room temperature. Some DIYers prefer to whip the body butter which makes it softer and lighter but this step is optional.
Cocoa butter is a great ingredient to use in body butter. It is naturally high in vitamin E which helps to hydrate the skin. It also has a lovely light chocolate scent and contains natural antioxidants. Another popular body butter ingredient is shea butter. It’s extremely rich in vitamins A and E which nourishes the skin while improving its elasticity. Shea butter also has a very pleasant smell and is easily absorbed by the skin.
Jojoba oil is a good low comedogenic oil that’s moisturizing and soothing to inflamed skin. It’s also rich in fatty acids which make it a superior moisturizer. It’s a great base for the body butter as it mixes well with almost any other oils.
Other common ingredients include plant-based extracts (like calendula, sea buckthorn or evening primrose) which provide a boost of skin-benefiting nutrients. Finally, powdered colorants such as micas can add a beautiful color and essential oils can be added for a pleasant fragrance.
A natural stabilizer is necessary in the body butter formulation to keep it from separating or “falling” (as it’s sometimes called). Arrowroot is a great choice for this purpose. Other natural thickeners that can be used are tapioca starch and corn starch.
Nourishing Organic Ingredients
Nourish Organic believes that your skin is just as important as the food you eat. Their healthy and organic skincare line is free of potentially toxic ingredients like phthalates, parabens, PEGs, mineral oils, EDTA, synthetic dyes, and propylene glycol. It’s also never tested on animals and made with a variety of certified organic and Fair Trade ingredients that are good for your skin.
Thrive Market is proud to carry Nourish Organic products like this delicious body butter, which contains organic shea butter and coconut oil to hydrate and smooth your skin and locks in moisture. It’s scented with fresh fig and lavender-mint fragrances that are natural and refreshing. You can also find their nourishing Nourishing Oil, which supports your skin’s protection and nourishment with camellia, avocado, Manuka honey, black seed, sea buckthorn, parsley seed, carrot seed, rose, and apricot kernel oil for healthy, glowing skin.
In addition to the USDA Organic certification, Nourish Organic products are COSMOS standard certified by Ecocert, which guarantees that their ingredients and finished products are made without GMOs, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, irradiation, or other harmful chemicals. They’re also vegan (with the exception of products that contain responsibly harvested beeswax), cruelty-free, and made in the USA.
Nourish Organic’s commitment to using wholesome and organic ingredients contributes to emotional wellness by eliminating the stress of worrying about chemicals and additives. They also understand that wellness isn’t about deprivation, which is why they strive to create a balance between personal well-being and environmental responsibility. With delicious products like their Healthy Cookies and Breakfast Mixes, Nourish Organics promotes a sense of mindful nourishment and balance that supports the delicate art of wellness.
Nourishing Vegan Ingredients
Unlike many other vegetarians, vegans avoid any food derived from animals or from the byproducts of animal processing. This can restrict the variety of foods that they can enjoy, but it can also help them eat a more nutritious diet.
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of any diet, but they’re especially essential for a vegan diet. They’re easy to incorporate into meals and snacks, ranging from vitamin-rich berries like black currants and acai to potassium-rich bananas and citrus fruits. They’re also a source of iron and calcium, which vegans need to supplement their diet with more than they typically consume in meat-based foods.
Seeds and nuts are another staple for a vegan pantry, offering protein and fiber in a healthy plant-based form. They’re also high in “good” fats, like flax seeds and chia seeds, which are easy to find and can be added to baked goods or eaten straight.
Peanuts, which are technically a legume rather than a nut, are an affordable and versatile option. They’re great for mixing with raisins for a quick GORP, adding to Asian tofu stir-fries and baking recipes, or eating as a snack. They’re also a good source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are sometimes difficult to get enough of from other sources.