Body Butter for Better Skin

Our skin absorbs everything we rub on it, knowing what is the most beneficial is the important for the health of your skin. Body butters are used to hydrate the skin, and come in a variety of types including: shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut, papaya, mango, grapefruit, and kukui nut.

Natural seasonal weather changes or extremes in heat and cold, can take a toll on the skin. Body butters contain emollients to moisturize your skin, and form a protective barrier to hold in moisture. Body butters not only hydrate the skin, they make the skin much softer and can help dry or cracked skin, as well as some types of eczema.

Body butter is also very affordable and can be found at supercenters and local drug stores all across the country. Shea butter is usually the most expensive because it comes from Africa.

Cocoa butter is the cream colored fat extracted from cocoa beans, and is probably one of the most commonly used types of body butter. Pregnant women have long used to Cocoa butter has been used for decades by women to help prevent or treat stretch marks during pregnancy.

Cocoa butter is one of the most highly concentrated and stable natural fats known. It is readily absorbed into the skin because it melts at body temperature. This ultimate moisturizer is found in other topical preparations such as lotions and aromatherapy oils.

A skin massage with cocoa butter has been found to boost the immune system, help relieve stress, and even prevent cancer. Cocoa butter contains CMP, which has been found by Japanese researchers to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and tumors by lowering active oxygen levels in the body. CMP is also used in the prevention of heart disease and help relieve symptoms of arthritis.

Olive oil has natural antioxidants that protect the skin and help in reducing wrinkles and other signs of aging. It doesn't clog the pores, and it quickly soaks into the skin so it can be easily used with little risk of skin irritation. Add a few drops of olive oil to your favorite lotion to make your own homemade body moisturizer.

Shea body butter contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants which helps to retain skin moisture even in dry climates or in low humidity. Raw shea butter is available in heath food and grocery stores. You need pure shea butter, essential oils and fragrance for a homemade shea body butter recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw shea butter
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vitamin E oil
• 3 drops lavender oil
• 3 drops jojoba oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Melt raw shea butter in a saucepan over low heat, immediately remove from heat once it has melted. Do not overheat or burn raw shea butter . Next, add the olive oil and allow to sit for approximately 30 minutes. Add vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, lavender oil, and cornstarch before the mixture becomes completely solidified. Blend until light and fluffy. Place in an air tight container and keep in a cool place.