the wild apothecary

Warming Winter Vanilla Body Butter

Cozy • Smooth • Essential Oil-Free

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YieldAbout 14 fl oz (two 8 oz jars)

Time3–4 hrs to infuse, 1–2 weeks to rest, then about 1 hr plus chilling

Skin TypeDry, itchy winter skin; gentle for most skin types

ToolsDouble boiler, fine mesh strainer, glass jar with lid, spatula, stick blender, two 8 oz jars

TextureVery soft and smooth; melts in quickly

StorageCool place; it melts easily in warm weather. Keep water out of the jar and scoop with clean, dry fingers.

About This Recipe

There is something I love about the warm scent of vanilla in winter; it's like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. This really soft body butter is vanilla-infused oil whipped with coconut oil and shea butter, and it contains no essential oils, so it's a nice option for folks who are sensitive to strong scents.

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)
½ cup coconut oil (solid, not liquid)
½ cup shea butter (refined and organic)

Directions

Measure the shea butter and coconut oil into a double boiler and gently warm until just melted.
Remove from the heat and add the vanilla-infused oil.
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 change consistency and become light and fluffy.
Divide into two clean 8 oz jars (or three 4 oz jars plus a little 2 oz jar for yourself) and label.

To Use

Use after a shower or bath while your skin is still hydrated from the water.
Massage a small amount into skin. The oils help seal moisture in, and the water helps the oils sink in deeper.

Notes

Make the vanilla oil first: split one fresh vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the paste into a double boiler. Chop the pod into about 1 inch pieces and add them too. Cover with ¾ cup apricot oil or jojoba oil.
Heat gently over low heat for 3–4 hours. While still warm, pour into a clean glass jar with a tight lid and set in a warm, dark place for a week or two. Strain through a fine mesh strainer when the scent is strong enough. You'll have about ½ cup.
The vanilla oil on its own makes a beautiful, calming massage, body or bath oil. Coconut oil infused with vanilla also makes a great base for Vanilla Lip Balm.
You can make this in summer too, but store it somewhere cool; it melts very easily.
As with any topical skin care, do a patch test first.

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

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