17 Easy DIY Body Butter Recipes That Feel Like a Spa Day

You know that feeling when you step out of the shower, slather on a really good body butter, and your skin just drinks it up instantly?

I started making my own body butters after spending an embarrassing amount of money on store-bought versions that were either too greasy, weirdly scented with something chemical, or just… fine.

Pin For Later

The thing about body butters is that they’re even easier to make than sugar scrubs.

No heating required for most of them, no fancy tools, and the ingredients are all natural, skin-loving, and honestly pretty affordable when you buy them in bulk.

Let’s get into it!

17 DIY Body Butter Recipes Your Skin Will Be Obsessed With

Body butters are different from lotions because they contain no water, it’s all nourishing oils and butters, which means they’re significantly more moisturizing and longer-lasting on the skin.

They work best applied right after a shower on slightly damp skin so they lock all that moisture in.

1. Classic Shea Butter Body Butter

This is the one that started it all for me and probably the best place to start if you’re new to making body butters.

Shea butter is deeply moisturizing, gentle on all skin types, and has a slightly nutty scent that’s just naturally comforting.

It’s also incredibly affordable — a big tub of raw shea butter goes a long way and keeps for up to two years. You’ll make this batch and wonder why you ever bought the store version.

Supplies Needed:

• 1 cup raw shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup sweet almond oil
• 15 drops of your favorite essential oil

Instructions:

1. Place your shea butter in a large mixing bowl at room temperature, it should be soft enough to work with.
2. Add the coconut oil (solid form) and the sweet almond oil to the bowl.
3. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip everything together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
4. Increase the speed and continue whipping for another 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Add your essential oil of choice and mix briefly to incorporate evenly.
6. Scoop into clean glass jars and store at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.

2. Whipped Mango and Coconut Body Butter

If tropical is your thing, this recipe will make you feel like you’re on vacation every single time you use it. Mango butter is one of the most underrated body butter bases, it’s lighter than shea, absorbs quickly, and has a very subtle natural scent that pairs beautifully with coconut.

This one is especially great for summer because it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy in the heat.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup mango butter
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil
• 10 drops coconut fragrance oil or vanilla essential oil

Instructions:

1. Let your mango butter and coconut oil come to room temperature so they’re soft but still solid.
2. Add both butters to a mixing bowl and begin whipping on low speed.
3. Add the fractionated coconut oil once the mixture starts coming together.
4. Increase mixer speed and whip for 4 to 5 minutes until the texture is airy and creamy.
5. Add your fragrance or essential oil and mix for another 30 seconds.
6. Scoop into jars, the texture should hold peaks like whipped cream.
7. Store in a cool spot since coconut oil melts easily in warm temperatures.

3. Lavender and Chamomile Calming Body Butter

This one is everything you need after a stressful day. Lavender is calming on the nervous system and also genuinely great for skin, and chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that make it wonderful for anyone dealing with redness, irritation, or sensitive skin.

Make this, use it before bed, and tell me your sleep doesn’t improve. I dare you.

Supplies Needed:

• ¾ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup cocoa butter
• 2 tbsp jojoba oil
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops chamomile essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler, gently melt the cocoa butter over low heat since it’s harder than shea and needs a little help.
2. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes — you want it liquid but not hot.
3. Add the shea butter and jojoba oil to the cooled cocoa butter and stir together.
4. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 20 to 25 minutes until the mixture is partially solidified but still soft.
5. Remove and whip with a hand mixer for 3 to 4 minutes until fluffy.
6. Add your lavender and chamomile essential oils and whip for another 30 seconds.
7. Jar it up immediately and store at room temperature.

4. Coffee and Vanilla Body Butter

The caffeine in coffee does something really special for skin — it tightens, brightens, and temporarily reduces the appearance of cellulite when massaged in regularly. This body butter smells exactly like a vanilla latte and your skin will look seriously glowing after consistent use.

It’s also one of those recipes that’s great for gifting — wrap it in a cute jar with a brown ribbon and it looks like something from an artisan boutique.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 2 tbsp fine ground coffee
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp argan oil

Instructions:

1. Soften your shea butter and coconut oil to room temperature.
2. Whip them together using a hand mixer until light and combined, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the argan oil and continue whipping for 1 more minute.
4. Fold in the ground coffee using a spatula — you want it evenly distributed throughout.
5. Add vanilla extract and gently fold in again.
6. Note that this one won’t be fluffy and smooth like the others — the coffee gives it a slight texture which is totally normal.
7. Store in a wide-mouth jar so you can scoop it out easily, and use within 6 weeks.

5. Rosewater and Aloe Body Butter

This one is the hydration hero of the collection. Aloe vera gel is packed with skin-soothing compounds and adds a lightweight, cooling quality to body butter that makes it totally unique. Combined with the antioxidant benefits of rosewater, it’s a powerhouse for dry and irritated skin.

It’s also lighter than most body butters on this list, which makes it a great option for people who usually find body butter too rich.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup shea butter
• 2 tbsp aloe vera gel (pure, not the bright green kind with additives)
• 2 tbsp rosewater
• 2 tbsp jojoba oil
• 10 drops rose essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Whip your shea butter until fluffy using a hand mixer, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the jojoba oil and continue whipping for 1 more minute.
3. In a separate small bowl, mix the aloe vera gel and rosewater together.
4. Very slowly add the aloe and rosewater mixture to the whipped shea butter, one tablespoon at a time, whipping as you go.
5. Add the rose essential oil if using and mix in briefly.
6. The texture will be a little different from standard body butters — slightly lighter and less waxy.
7. Because this contains aloe and rosewater, store it in the refrigerator and use within 2 to 3 weeks.

6. Cocoa Butter and Orange Zest Body Butter

Cocoa butter on its own is one of the best natural moisturizers for dry skin — it creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture for hours. Adding fresh orange zest brings in vitamin C for brightening and a scent that is honestly just pure happiness.

This one is thick and luxurious, perfect for winter when your skin is at its driest.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup cocoa butter
• ¼ cup shea butter
• 2 tbsp sweet almond oil
• Zest of 1 large orange
• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Instructions:

1. Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler over low heat until fully liquid.
2. Remove from heat, add the shea butter, and stir until it melts into the cocoa butter.
3. Add the sweet almond oil and stir to combine.
4. Let the mixture cool in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes until partially solid.
5. Remove and whip with a hand mixer on high for 4 to 5 minutes.
6. Fold in the orange zest and orange essential oil using a spatula.
7. Jar it up quickly before it sets, and store at room temperature away from heat.

7. Peppermint and Eucalyptus Foot Butter

Your feet work hard and they rarely get the treatment they deserve. This foot butter is extra thick, deeply moisturizing, and has a cooling effect from the peppermint and eucalyptus that feels incredible on tired, achy feet.

Use it right before bed, put on a pair of cozy socks over it, and wake up to the softest feet you’ve ever had.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup cocoa butter
• 2 tbsp beeswax pellets
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

1. Melt the beeswax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil together in a double boiler — beeswax needs heat to fully melt.
2. Remove from heat and add the shea butter, stirring until melted and combined.
3. Let the mixture cool until it starts to thicken around the edges of the bowl.
4. Add peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils and stir well.
5. Place in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to speed up the setting process.
6. Once partially solidified, whip with a hand mixer for 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Scoop into tins or wide-mouth jars and let set fully before using.

8. Vanilla Honey Body Butter

Sweet, simple, and unbelievably nourishing — this is one of those recipes that sounds almost too basic but delivers results that’ll blow you away. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture toward the skin rather than just sitting on top of it.

This is my everyday body butter when I’m not feeling anything fancy but still want my skin to look and feel great.

Supplies Needed:

• 1 cup shea butter
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp fractionated coconut oil
• 1 tsp vitamin E oil
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Warm the honey very slightly so it becomes runny and easy to incorporate.
2. Whip the shea butter with a hand mixer until fluffy and pale, about 4 minutes.
3. Add the fractionated coconut oil and vitamin E oil while the mixer runs on low.
4. Drizzle in the warm honey slowly and continue mixing on medium.
5. Add the vanilla extract and mix for a final 30 seconds.
6. The honey can make the texture a little stickier than usual — that’s completely normal.
7. Store in a glass jar and use within 6 weeks.

9. Aloe and Cucumber Body Butter

This one is made for summer — it’s light, cooling, and incredibly refreshing on sun-exposed skin. Cucumber extract has skin-brightening and cooling properties that make this the perfect after-sun treat, even without any actual burn.

If you’ve spent time outdoors and your skin just feels warm and a little dull, this is exactly what it needs.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup mango butter
• 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
• 2 tbsp cucumber extract or fresh cucumber juice (strained)
• 1 tbsp jojoba oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

1. Whip the mango butter until fluffy and light, about 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Add jojoba oil and continue whipping for 1 minute.
3. Mix the aloe vera gel and cucumber juice together in a small bowl.
4. Slowly add the aloe-cucumber mixture one tablespoon at a time while whipping on low.
5. Add peppermint essential oil and mix briefly.
6. The texture will be lighter and almost lotion-like compared to standard body butters.
7. Refrigerate this one since it contains fresh ingredients, and use within 2 weeks.

10. Cinnamon and Nutmeg Warming Body Butter

This is your autumn in a jar — warming, spiced, and incredibly cozy. Cinnamon boosts circulation and gives skin a healthy flush while nutmeg has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Together they make a warming body butter that’s perfect for massaging into stiff muscles on cold evenings.

Use it on your legs, arms, and shoulders for the full warming effect.

Supplies Needed:

• ¾ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup sweet almond oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• ½ tsp nutmeg powder
• 10 drops cinnamon essential oil

Instructions:

1. Whip the shea butter alone first for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to lighten in color.
2. Add the sweet almond oil slowly while the mixer runs on low.
3. Increase speed and whip for another 2 minutes until very fluffy.
4. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg powders and fold in gently with a spatula to avoid powder flying everywhere.
5. Add cinnamon essential oil and mix briefly with the hand mixer.
6. Do a patch test before applying widely — cinnamon can be stimulating and some skin types are sensitive to it.
7. Store in a jar at room temperature and use within 6 weeks.

11. Green Tea and Vitamin C Body Butter

Antioxidants are your skin’s best defense against aging and environmental damage, and this body butter is loaded with them. Green tea extract and vitamin C together make a brightening, protective combination that’s especially great for anyone who spends time outdoors.

Use this one in the morning before you head out for a little extra skin protection throughout the day.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup argan oil
• 1 tsp green tea extract (powder or liquid)
• ½ tsp vitamin C powder
• 1 tbsp rosehip seed oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil

Instructions:

1. Whip shea butter on high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until very light and airy.
2. Add argan oil and rosehip seed oil while mixing on low.
3. In a small bowl, mix green tea extract and vitamin C powder together.
4. Add the antioxidant mixture to the whipped butter and fold in gently.
5. Add grapefruit essential oil and mix briefly.
6. Note that vitamin C can cause slight color change over time — this is totally normal and doesn’t affect the product.
7. Store in an opaque jar away from sunlight and use within 4 weeks.

12. Coconut and Lime Body Butter

Fresh, citrusy, and insanely good-smelling — this body butter hits differently. It’s light enough for everyday use but moisturizing enough to seriously tackle dry patches. The lime essential oil gives it a bright, energizing kick that makes it a perfect morning body butter.

This is also one of the best-looking body butters to gift — topped with a bit of lime zest in the jar, it looks absolutely adorable.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup coconut oil (solid)
• ½ cup mango butter
• Zest of 2 limes
• 15 drops lime essential oil
• 1 tbsp fractionated coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Let coconut oil and mango butter come to room temperature until soft but still solid.
2. Whip them together with a hand mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes.
3. Add fractionated coconut oil and continue whipping for 2 more minutes.
4. Fold in the lime zest with a spatula — try to get it evenly distributed throughout.
5. Add lime essential oil and give it a final quick mix.
6. Spoon into jars and top with a tiny pinch of lime zest for presentation if gifting.
7. Keep in a cool spot since the coconut oil base melts easily in warm rooms.

13. Oatmeal and Honey Body Butter for Sensitive Skin

If your skin is reactive, eczema-prone, or just easily irritated, this recipe was made for you. Colloidal oatmeal is one of the most clinically supported natural ingredients for soothing sensitive and inflamed skin, and combined with honey’s antibacterial properties, it’s genuinely therapeutic.

Skip the essential oils in this one if you’re making it for very sensitive skin — the base ingredients are soothing enough on their own.

Supplies Needed:

• 1 cup shea butter
• 2 tbsp colloidal oatmeal (very finely ground oats)
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp jojoba oil
• 5 drops chamomile essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Whip shea butter for 4 to 5 minutes until it’s very light and fluffy.
2. Add jojoba oil and whip for another minute.
3. Warm honey slightly so it’s runny and drizzle it in while mixing on low.
4. Fold in the colloidal oatmeal with a spatula until evenly distributed.
5. Add chamomile oil if using and fold in gently.
6. This butter will have a slightly grainy texture from the oatmeal — that’s exactly right.
7. Store in a wide-mouth jar at room temperature and use within 4 to 5 weeks.

14. Lemon and Ginger Brightening Body Butter

Lemon is a natural skin brightener, and ginger boosts circulation and gives skin a radiant, healthy glow. Together in a whipped body butter base, they make one of the most effective at-home treatments for dull, uneven skin tone.

Focus this one on areas that tend to look darker or uneven — elbows, knees, inner arms — and you’ll start noticing a difference in about two weeks of consistent use.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup cocoa butter
• 2 tbsp sweet almond oil
• 1 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger, strained)
• 15 drops lemon essential oil
• ½ tsp turmeric (optional, for extra brightening)

Instructions:

1. Melt cocoa butter gently in a double boiler, then remove from heat.
2. Add shea butter and stir until melted into the cocoa butter.
3. Add sweet almond oil and stir to combine, then refrigerate for 20 minutes.
4. Once partially set, whip with a hand mixer for 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Fold in the ground ginger and turmeric if using.
6. Add lemon essential oil and mix briefly.
7. Skip this right after shaving — lemon and ginger on freshly shaved skin is not a good time.

15. Strawberry and Cream Body Butter

This one is pure joy in a jar, it smells incredible, looks beautiful, and your skin will feel like you just wrapped yourself in silk.

Strawberry seed oil is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and is rich in omega fatty acids that keep skin barrier strong and healthy.

It’s also one of the prettiest body butters to make, naturally pink and absolutely gorgeous.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup mango butter
• 2 tbsp strawberry seed oil
• 1 tbsp fractionated coconut oil
• 10 drops strawberry fragrance oil
• A tiny drop of pink cosmetic-grade mica powder (optional, for color)

Instructions:

1. Whip shea butter and mango butter together on high speed for 4 minutes until very fluffy.
2. Add fractionated coconut oil and strawberry seed oil while mixing on low.
3. Increase speed and whip for 2 more minutes.
4. Add strawberry fragrance oil and mix briefly to incorporate.
5. If using mica powder, add the tiniest amount on the tip of a toothpick and fold in, a little goes a very long way.
6. Stir until the pink color is evenly distributed and the butter looks beautiful.
7. Jar it up and store at room temperature away from heat.

16. Pumpkin Spice Body Butter

Yes, I went there. But hear me out, pumpkin is actually incredibly good for skin.

It’s full of zinc, vitamins A and C, and natural enzymes that gently promote cell turnover.

Combined with warm fall spices, this body butter is both effective and the coziest thing you’ll ever put on your skin.

This one is absolutely perfect as a fall gift and people will not believe you made it yourself.

Supplies Needed:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seed oil
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 5 drops clove essential oil

Instructions:

1. Soften shea butter and coconut oil to room temperature.
2. Whip them together on medium speed for 3 minutes until combined and fluffy.
3. Add pumpkin seed oil and whip for 2 more minutes.
4. Fold in pumpkin pie spice with a spatula until evenly mixed in.
5. Add cinnamon and clove essential oils and stir in briefly.
6. Do a patch test before using all over — clove oil is potent and not for everyone.
7. Store in a sealed jar at room temperature and use within 5 weeks.

17. Whipped Shea and Argan Luxury Body Butter

This is the crown jewel of the collection, the most moisturizing, the most luxurious, and genuinely the one that makes your skin look like you’ve been on a two-week spa retreat.

Argan oil is sometimes called liquid gold because of how many skin benefits it has, and in a whipped body butter base it takes the whole thing to another level.

This is the one you make for yourself on a night when you really need to feel taken care of.

Supplies Needed:

• 1 cup raw shea butter
• 3 tbsp argan oil
• 2 tbsp rosehip seed oil
• 1 tbsp vitamin E oil
• 15 drops jasmine or sandalwood essential oil

Instructions:

1. Whip the shea butter alone on high speed for 5 full minutes — don’t rush this step, the longer you whip it the fluffier it gets.
2. Add argan oil slowly while the mixer runs on low speed.
3. Add rosehip seed oil and vitamin E oil and mix on medium for 2 minutes.
4. Increase to high speed and whip for a final 2 to 3 minutes until the texture is incredibly light.
5. Add your essential oil of choice and fold in gently.
6. Scoop into a beautiful jar — this one deserves a pretty container.
7. Store away from heat and sunlight, and use within 8 weeks.

Enjoyed the Article?

If you’ve made it all the way to the end, I genuinely love you for it. Making your own body butter is one of the best things you can do for your skin and your self-care routine — and once you start, you will never go back to the store-bought stuff.

Pick one recipe this week and just try it. Start with whatever ingredients you already have on hand. I promise the whole process takes less than 15 minutes and the results are absolutely worth it.

If this article made you want to start whipping up your own body butters, please share it with your friends and family — send it to your skincare bestie, share it in your group chat, or save it on Pinterest for later. Sharing is caring, and your people will thank you for pointing them toward softer skin.

Happy mixing, and enjoy every single spa-worthy moment of it!