Create Your Own Botanical Body Butter: Two Warming Winter Blends

12 minute read

As we continue our Winter Series here at Craft 360, we've already explored the nourishing power of winter oils & herbs, and how to craft botanical oil blends that help keep skin feeling soft through the colder months. Today, we're turning our attention to something a little richer: simple three-ingredient body butters you can whip up at home to help condition and comfort dry winter skin, naturally!

These luxurious blends will help keep your skin feeling soft, smooth, and beautifully conditioned. The rich butters provide intensive moisture that lasts throughout the day, whilst aromatic botanical infusions transform your skincare routine into a sensory experience.

Your Complete Body Butter Formula

Total: 100%

Two Beautiful Botanical Infusions to Choose From

Option 1: Coffee & Vanilla Botanical Blend

Perfect for: Energising morning rituals and rich, comforting aromas

This botanical infusion transforms ordinary jojoba oil into an aromatic treasure. Coffee beans provide an energising, warm scent that pairs beautifully with vanilla's sweet, comforting notes. 

Botanical Blend for Infusion:

• 5g whole coffee beans (lightly crushed)

• 2g vanilla beans (split lengthwise)

• 100ml jojoba oil

Option 2: Cinnamon Bark Infusion

Perfect for: Simple warmth and gentle spicy comfort

Sometimes the most beautiful scents come from single botanicals. This cinnamon bark infusion creates a warm, spicy aroma that's both comforting and energising—without any essential oils.

Botanical Blend for Infusion:

• 10g dried cinnamon bark pieces

• 100ml jojoba oil

Creating Your Botanical Infusion (Prepare 2-3 Weeks Ahead)

Both infusions use the same simple method—the only difference is your choice of botanicals.

Equipment Needed

• Clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid

• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

• Digital scale

• Labels for dating

Infusion Method

Step 1: Prepare Your Botanicals For coffee & vanilla blend: Lightly crush coffee beans to release aromatic oils without creating powder. Split vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the seeds. 

For cinnamon infusion: Use dried cinnamon bark pieces (not ground powder) to reduce sediment.

Step 2: Combine & Cover Place all botanical materials in your clean glass jar. Pour jojoba oil over the botanicals, ensuring they're completely covered.

Step 3: Infuse Seal tightly and label with the date. Store in a dark, cool cupboard away from direct sunlight.

Step 4: Wait & Shake Allow to macerate for 2-3 weeks, gently shaking every few days. The oil will gradually develop rich tones and beautiful aromatic depth.

Step 5: Strain through fine cheesecloth, pressing botanical material gently to extract maximum oil. Your aromatic infusion is now ready for formulating.

Step-by-Step To Make Body Butter 

Equipment Needed

• Double boiler or heat-proof bowl over saucepan

• Digital scale (accurate to 1g)

• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula

• Clean containers for finished product

• Sanitising solution

Formulation Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Thoroughly sanitise all equipment and work surfaces. Ensure your infused oil has been strained and is ready to use.

Step 2: Measure Your Cocoa Butter Weigh 40g of unrefined cocoa butter into your double boiler or heat-proof bowl.

Step 3: Gentle Melting Heat the cocoa butter gently over low heat until it reaches 32-38°C (90-100°F). Keep it under 60°C (140°F) for optimal melting without overheating. Once fully liquid, remove from heat immediately.

Step 4: Critical Temperature Step This step is crucial for maintaining shea butter's beneficial properties. Allow the melted cocoa butter to cool to approximately 45-50°C (113-122°F) before adding shea butter. Shea butter has a melting point of 32-38°C (89-100°F), so excessive heat can cause graininess and reduce its conditioning properties.

Step 5: Add Shea Butter Add 30g of shea butter to the cocoa butter when it has cooled to 45-50°C (113-122°F). Stir gently until the shea butter melts completely. This temperature range ensures smooth melting without overheating the delicate shea butter compounds.

Step 6: Incorporate Infused Oil Measure 30g of your chosen botanical infused jojoba oil. Add this to your butter mixture and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.

Step 7: Cooling and Setting Pour your mixture into clean containers, leaving minimal headspace. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. The body butter will gradually firm up as it cools, developing its final creamy texture.

Why These Ingredients Work So Well Together

The magic of these body butters lies in the perfect balance between solid and liquid fats. Each ingredient plays a specific role in creating that ideal texture and nourishing experience your skin craves during winter.

Cocoa butter forms the structural foundation with its natural firmness at room temperature. When warmed by your body heat, it melts beautifully, delivering deep moisture whilst providing that indulgent chocolate aroma. The natural antioxidants in unrefined cocoa butter help protect your formulation from rancidity whilst conditioning your skin.

Shea butter brings the perfect counterbalance to cocoa butter's firmness. Its naturally soft, creamy texture ensures your body butter isn't too hard to apply, whilst delivering intensive moisture that melts effortlessly into your skin without feeling greasy.

Infused jojoba oil creates the aromatic element that makes these body butters special. Jojoba's unique molecular structure closely mimics your skin's natural sebum, making it an excellent carrier for botanical compounds whilst providing light, easily absorbed moisture.

Storage and Longevity

Store your body butter in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. In warmer weather, you might notice the texture becomes softer—this is completely normal and doesn't affect the product's effectiveness.

When stored properly, expect 8-12 months of shelf life. The natural antioxidants in cocoa butter help prevent rancidity, but always trust your senses. Fresh body butter should smell pleasant and feel smooth and creamy.

Customising Your Formula

Understanding each ingredient allows you to personalise these recipes. For firmer body butter, increase cocoa butter to 45% and reduce shea butter to 25%. For softer consistency, reverse these ratios.

More Botanical Infusion Ideas

Want to explore other aromatic infusions? Try:

• Dried orange peel with cardamom for citrus warmth

• Rose petals with a touch of cardamom for floral comfort

• Star anise for a mildly spicy, licorice-like scent

• Dried lavender buds for classic herbal warmth

Always maintain the 1:10 ratio of botanicals to oil for optimal extraction.

Substitution Options

Safety & Usage Notes

• For external cosmetic use only

• Avoid use on broken skin

• If irritation occurs, discontinue use

• Perform a patch test before first application

• Always use dried botanicals to reduce contamination risk

What This Body Butter Will Do

This luxurious blend helps keep your skin feeling soft, smooth, and beautifully conditioned. The rich butters provide intensive moisture that lasts throughout the day, whilst your chosen aromatic infusion transforms skincare into a sensory experience.

The combination moisturises deeply, helping to improve skin texture and leaving you with that subtle, natural glow that comes from well-nourished skin. Whether you choose the energising coffee & vanilla blend or the warming cinnamon infusion, you'll enjoy a comforting aromatherapeutic experience that many find both uplifting and grounding.

Creating your own body butter connects you to the traditional craft of botanical skincare whilst giving you complete control over what touches your skin. Each application delivers the moisturising benefits of premium butters enhanced with the aromatic pleasure of your personally crafted botanical infusion.

How to Use Your Body Butter

Apply to clean, slightly damp skin for enhanced absorption. Take a small amount and warm it between your palms—watch how it transforms from solid to silky oil. The botanical aroma will intensify as it warms, creating a lovely aromatherapeutic moment in your daily routine.

Focus on areas that tend to be drier—elbows, knees, and heels benefit particularly from this rich, nourishing formula. The body butter absorbs well without leaving a greasy residue when applied to slightly moist skin.

Ready to Start Creating?

All ingredients for these nourishing body butters—from premium unrefined butters to quality carrier oils—are available at Craft 360. Find everything you need for your DIY skincare creations and start exploring the wonderful world of botanical body care.

Have you tried infusing oils with different botanicals? We'd love to hear about your favourite aromatic combinations in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individual results may vary. Please perform patch testing before use. If irritation occurs, discontinue use. Consult with a healthcare professional if you have specific skin concerns or conditions.