Essential oil infused - Shea Body Butter (Recipe)

The kiddos and I suffer from some scaly dry winter skin and in between seasons! It feels like sand paper to the touch and can be painful if we don't put something on. I've used A LOT of different brands, even ones "formulated" for extra dry skin or for infants. After going through my kids products, as I mentioned in a previous post about the 'Think Dirty' app...there are SCARY chemicals lurking, by scary I mean could cause cancer in the long run. No thanks! I'll make my own lotions for my kids. I've even tried non-toxic organic brands and it still didn't help super dry skin, it just soaked it right up and was dry again. After MUCH research about the best carrier oils and most moisturizing oils. This is a basic recipe, it's not perfect I should of added more Jojoba oil because it firmed back up slightly. I can still scoop it out with a spoon and immediately it turns into a white lotion in my hands. I think it needs some tweaking, but I am very pleased with the results it has on our skin. No more fish scales! And it's made using kiddo-safe oils. This is awesome after shaving your legs by the way! Copaiba is has inflammation fighting properties which make it great for people with sensitive skin, I added gentle baby...because I like the smell but that blend has great stuff inside for your skin too like Lavender and Roman chamomile which are very soothing for the skin.

Mommy & Me Body Butter:

• 8 ounces, Shea Butter 
• 2 Tbs. Jojoba Oil  {I would add 2 tbs. than this, so 4 total}

• 6 Drops, Gentle Baby Blend (Young Living)
• 4 Drops, Copaiba (Young Living)

Directions:

Tips: Have a large mixing bowl ready that is capable of withstanding both hot and cold temperatures. Ensure that there is enough room in your freezer to accommodate the large mixing bowl. Shea butter is flammable, so please keep an eye on it as it is being heated.

• Using a double boiler, heat water to boiling in the lower portion of the double boiler or not so fancy Pyrex glass measuring cup does the trick inside a sauce pan. Bring water to a boil and reduce heat to medium setting.
• Add the shea butter to the top section of the double boiler and allow to melt or same concept in the Pyrex glass measuring cup. Stir regularly, so everything melts evenly.
• Using a candy thermometer, adjust the temperature of your stove until the shea butter reaches 175 degrees F. Continue to heat the shea butter at 175 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Try not to heat the butter much higher than 175 degrees F. as that may damage some of its nutritive natural compounds. (Heating to this temperature for this duration prevents the shea butter from turning gritty. Shea butter has a tendency to form a gritty texture if it is melted to quickly.)
• After the shea butter has been heated, quickly transfer it to the large mixing bowl. Let cool for 10-15 minutes then add the jojoba oil. Do not add the essential oil. 
• Begin mixing the shea butter using a mixer, I used beater heads. If you have a whisk attachment for your mixer, that would be ideal. Mixing the shea butter for approximately 5-7 minutes.
• The shea butter will still be liquid form at this stage. Transfer the mixing bowl to the freezer for approximately 5-10 minutes.
• Remove from the freezer. The shea butter will still be in a liquid stage with the exception that a film of solid shea butter probably will have formed.
• Begin mixing the shea butter again for 5-10 minutes. Repeat the mixing to freezer process several times. Gradually, you will notice your shea butter firming up and becoming the consistency of whipped cream or frosting. Quickly chilling the shea butter for short intervals is important to help expedite, enhance and maintain the fluffy texture of your whipped shea butter. It's also important not to over chill (freeze) your whipped shea butter because it could make it gritty in texture.
• Once the whipped shea butter has the consistency of whipped cream, add the essential oils. Mix well to ensure the essential oils are evenly distributed.

Store in an airtight container, use within a month! This contains no preservatives so it's best to use it all up. I used a mason jar, a 4 oz. jar would work perfect which I had an 8 but works none the less. It sort of hardened a bit but I can still scoop it out with a spoon and warm it with my hands. It works great, does the 'job'.















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