the wild apothecary

Peppermint Vanilla Body Butter

Rich • Whipped • A Hint of Mint

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

YieldFills six 2 oz jars

Time3–4 hrs to infuse the oil, then about 1 hr plus chilling

Skin TypeAll skin types, especially dry skin

ToolsSmall pot and mason jars (to infuse), cheesecloth, double boiler, spatula, stick blender, 2 oz amber jars

TextureLight, fluffy and flecked with vanilla

StorageCool, dry place. Keep water out of the jar and scoop with clean, dry fingers.

About This Recipe

Vanilla-infused jojoba oil is whipped with shea butter and coconut oil, with some of the vanilla seeds stirred back in for pretty brown flecks and a bit more scent. A few drops of peppermint essential oil add just a hint of mint. When I tell you this is heaven in a jar, I mean it.

From my herbal guides The Art of Herbal Infusion Make your own herbal oils, then turn one jar into face oil, cream, scrub and body butter.

Make your own herbal infused oils
Turn one jar into face oil, cream, scrub & body butter
Step-by-step PDF guide

$19 See inside →

Ingredients

½ cup vanilla-infused oil (see Notes)
¾ cup shea butter
¼ cup coconut oil (solid, not liquid)
5–6 drops peppermint essential oil

Directions

Measure the vanilla oil, shea butter and coconut oil into a double boiler and gently warm until just melted.
Remove from the heat.
Place the bowl in the refrigerator until solid. If it's too solid, let it warm up a little before mixing.
Whip with a stick blender until smooth and well blended. It will become light and fluffy.
Once fully whipped, add the peppermint essential oil and stir well or whip a little more to combine.
Scoop into clean jars and label.

To Use

Scoop a small amount with clean, dry fingers.
Massage into skin, especially dry spots.

Notes

Make the vanilla oil first: split two vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape the paste into a clean, heat-proof jar with a tight lid. Chop the pods into about 1 inch pieces and add them. Cover with 1 cup jojoba oil and close the lid.
Set a spare mason jar lid in the bottom of a small pot, stand the jar on it and add water about halfway up the jar. Heat gently on low for 3–4 hours, adding water as it evaporates.
While still warm, strain through cheesecloth into a clean glass jar. Scrape some of the vanilla seeds off the cheesecloth back into the oil for the flecks.
Second infusion: add the pods back to the leftover jojoba oil, top up with more oil and infuse in a warm place for a few weeks. Use it in a sugar scrub, body oil or lip balm.
The peppermint is meant to be just a hint, not strong enough to overpower the vanilla.
Small jars make lovely holiday gifts, but use larger jars if you like.

Read the blog post →More tips, swaps and the story behind this recipe

I've included affiliate links above. If you use them, thank you!

Free guide Love this recipe? Get 8 more, free Autumn Remedies: Eight cozy recipes for skin, home and health, ready to print and keep in the kitchen. Send me the free guide

Ready to go deeper? The Art of Herbal Infusion, $19 →

Up next

Drawing Salve Recipe →This is a great one to have in your herbal first aid tool box...

See all recipes