Ever wonder what’s the right body butter for the job? Cocoa, Shea, Mango, Avocado…
Body butter comes in a variety of textures rich and thick, soft and creamy, each with purpose and benefit for the skin. They are all from natural sources such as kernels and fruit trees. Body butter can be used in soaps, lotions, lip balms, body washes, and creams. Each is solid at room temperature with different melting points and which is key to choosing the right butter for the job! Read on for a handy printable Natural Body Butter Reference Guide.
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Cocoa Butter
Also known as cocoa butter chunks, cocoa butter pastilles, unrefined cocoa butter & deodorized cocoa butter
Texture: Firm
Melting Point: 95.0–97.7 °F – Does not melt on contact with the skin
Color: Soft tan
Shelf Life: 2 years
Top Points:
- Natural chocolate scent
- High in Vitamin E
- Hydrates and Soothes
- Known for reducing scars and stretch marks
Recommended For:
- Lip Balm
- Body Cream
- Sugar Scrub Cubes and Salt Bars
- Lotion Bars
Shea Butter
Also known as refined shea butter and unrefined shea butter
Texture: Soft
Melting Point: 90° F – Melts on contact with the skin
Color: Pale cream
Shelf Life: 1 year
Top Points:
- Light nutty scent
- High in Vitamins E, A, F
- Intense Moisturizer
- Known for healing dry scalp, cracked heels, and eczema
Recommended For:
- Soap
- Whipped Body Cream
- Hand Lotion
- Body Wash
- Conditioner
Mango Butter
Also known as refined mango butter and deodorized mango butter
Texture: Medium Firm
Melting Point: 86° F – Melts on contact with the skin
Color: White
Shelf Life: 2 years
Top Points:
- Mild sweet scent
- High in Vitamins E and A
- Known for it’s smoothing hydrating abilities
- Natural Emollient
- Best applied with a carrier oil
Recommended For:
- Soap
- Body Scrub
- Lip Balm
- Conditioner
- Shaving Lotion
Avocado Butter
Also known as unrefined avocado butter and virgin avocado butter
Texture: Soft
Melting Point: 96° F – Melts on contact with the skin
Color: White with a pale green tent
Shelf Life: 3 years
Top Points:
- Little to no scent
- High in Vitamins B and E
- Soft and Spreadable
- Makes skin and hair shiny
- Known for repairing damaged weak and dry hair
Recommended For:
- Whipped Body Butters
- Hand Balm
- Lip Balm
- Conditioner
- Sunscreen
Thank you for sharing these interesting facts! I’ve been using plain shea butter in the frigid Chicago winters and absolutely love it! It really does wonders and it’s so nice to not have any artificial scents that would be in store bought lotions/body butters etc.
Found you by way of the ‘Made by You’ linkup! Nice meeting you!
Shea butter is a great choice for winter in Chicago, it’s a moisturizer that lasts! I use a essential oils with natural body butters when I want to add fragrance.