This DIY Christmas body butter with juniper berry is creamy, moisturizing, and easy to apply. Just whip up a few ingredients and you have a special homemade gift, or just a nice face and body lotion for yourself!
Read on for an easy homemade lotion tutorial! With just a few clean ingredients, you can DIY this creamy, moisturizing body butter with juniper berry, a perfect homemade Christmas gift idea.
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THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Do you ever hear people say they are in the “Christmas spirit”?
When I was a little girl I knew exactly what this meant. Christmas time was pure magic when I was a kid. I have my parents and sibling to thank for that.
As an adult though, it’s not so cut and dry. Usually after Thanksgiving my husband John and I go get the Christmas tree, start the decorating, etc. But its really not until right before Christmas, maybe around the 21st, that I really start to relax and enjoy it.
But this year has been different.
This year, I am experiencing something I’ve never seen or felt before: Christmas through the eyes of my firstborn child. Every time I light the Christmas tree or a plug in a new strand of lights, my baby girl’s eyes light up in awe, and she says some version of “gggrreeaaahhhhhhh!!!” with her hands shooting out in joy at her sides.
And I’ve realized, this is what Christmas is all about. All I need is to see her expression and watch her excitement as the Christmas season is upon us, and that puts me right in the Christmas spirit!
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TIPS FOR MAKING DIY CHRISTMAS BODY BUTTER
First, start this recipe way in advance! It’s never a good idea to make homemade gifts at the last minute. Homemade gifts are great because they are usually more meaningful, more useful, and less expensive than store-bought. But if you wait until the last minute to make them, you’ll probably pay top dollar for ingredients, not to mention the stress of getting them done on time. So November or early December is the best time to get started.
Some people think homemade lotion is too oily to put on their face. I’ve used these three ingredients to make lotion for a few years now, so I can assure you, this is not true! If it feels too oily for your skin, try adding less coconut oil next time. But I find that the lotion absorbs well everywhere including your face, and then I apply makeup afterwards if I have time.
Depending on the temperature in your house, you might find that your lotion is either too stiff or too runny. Cold temps make it harden and warm temps make it soften. Because we’re going into winter, here’s my tip for lotion that feels too hard: First, you can always add more jojoba oil to help soften the mixture. But secondly, here’s my method for applying hard lotion to your skin. Use your fingernail to scoop the lotion out of the jar. Then rub it vigorously between your palms, and you’ll generate enough heat to soften it. Then, it will spread very easily. Hope this helps!
Use whatever essential oils you have on hand! In this recipe I use juniper berry, wild orange, and patchouli for a woodsy, sweet Christmas scent. But if you have different oils on hand already, try one of the festive Christmas essential oil blends below!
Lastly, be sure to download and print the free mason jar labels. They will fit this size mason jar and are a beautiful touch for a homemade gift or on your countertop during the holidays. Also, this is the label paper I use.
MORE CHRISTMAS ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS
Sweet & Woodsy Christmas Blend
(this is the one I’m doing today)
Juniper Berry
Patchouli
Wild Orange
Christmas Tree Essential Oil Blend
Cedarwood
Douglas Fir
Black Spruce
Gingerbread Essential Oil Blend
Ginger
Clove
Wild Orange
Cinnamon
Winter Spa Day Blend
Lavender
Eucalyptus
Wild Orange
Anti-Aging Skin Boosting Oils
Lavender
Frankincense
Helichrysum
Geranium
Ylang Ylang
Chamomile
Patchouli
New to essential oils? Get the essential Christmas oils kit at the whole discount HERE!
Or, send an email to [email protected] and I’ll create a custom cart for you with only the oils that you need.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF HOMEMADE BODY BUTTER
Making your own body butter means you can control the ingredients. So you know there are no artificial scent, dyes, or toxic chemicals used in the lotion that is going to be absorbed into your skin.
Shea Butter provides intense moisture to the skin. It has a high fatty acid content which helps restore lipids and rapidly creates moisture. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and contains powerful antioxidants, making it a good ingredients to put on the skin everyday. (source)
Jojoba oil has soothing anti-inflammatory agents, healing properties, is moisturizing, and is a natural antimicrobial. These properties suggest that jojoba oil could help you avoid breakouts as well as promote healing for mild acne. (source)
Many people praise coconut oil for its health benefits, including antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, improved skin and oral health, and weight loss potential. (source)
Patchouli essential oil is known to help with skin imperfections and for its grounding, earthy aroma. Juniper berry oil acts as a natural skin toner and reduces the appearance of skin blemishes.
TOOLS NEEDED TO MAKE HOMEMADE LOTION
Double Broiler (or just use a stovetop pot with a mixing bowl on top)
Mixing spoon
Lotion size mason jars Note: This recipe makes two of these jars!
Christmas Body Butter Labels (print them for free here)
DIY CHRISTMAS BODY BUTTER INGREDIENTS
Makes two 16-oz jars
1 pound shea butter
1/3 cup jojoba oil
1/3 cup coconut oil
4 droppers of Vitamin E oil (optional)
20-30 drops essential oils – I use Juniper Berry, Patchouli, and Clementine (you can also use Wild Orange)
HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS BODY BUTTER
Start by heating a large pot with 1-2 inches of water on the stove. Set a large heat-safe mixing bowl on top to create a double-boiler.
Add the shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil to the mixing bowl and stir until fully melted and combined.
Let the mixture cool for 2-3 hours (or accelerate this by placing it in the fridge).
Next, add the essential oils. With a handheld mixer, blend everything together. This also helps create that fluffy, buttery texture to the body butter.
Use a spoon to scoop the lotion out into glass lotion jars.
Peel and stick these homemade Christmas lotion labels for a perfect gift idea, or just a nice countertop decoration.
MORE HOMEMADE GIFT IDEAS FROM THE HOMESTEAD
Did you know? I have a whole e-book dedicated to some of my favorite homemade gifts for homesteaders! Learn how to make:
Homemade farm fresh salted butter
Natural dish soap
Moisturizing hand soap
Dry hand repair lotion
Homemade orange rosemary chocolate bars
MORE NATURAL BODY RECIPES
Homemade Baby Shampoo with Essential Oils
Homemade Beeswax Candle Making Tutorial
FAQ
What is the shelf life of homemade body butter?
The ingredients say they will last about 6 months, however I’ve used mine for longer. Just be sure to keep the lotion in a cool, dark place and sealed in a mason jar (I use these mason jars).
Why is my body butter so greasy?
Homemade body butters tend to be more greasy than store-bought, given their all natural ingredient list. However, I use this lotion on my face twice a day and my skin has never felt more moisturized. I wash my face, use this lotion, and then wait 2-3 minutes before applying makeup, and my skin feels great all day.
If the lotion seems too oily for you, try adding less coconut oil. I’ve also heard that you can add cornstarch or arrowroot powder to the mixture to thicken it up, but I’ve never tried it!
Is it cheaper to make your own body butter?
I did a quick search for organic body butter, and found this product which has similar ingredients to the one we’re making today. The organic body butter in the link costs $15 for 4 oz. The body butter in my recipe yields 32 ounces, and is made with shea butter ($12), jojoba oil (roughly $5), and coconut oil (let’s call it $1 for this). And then if you add in essential oils and vitamin E oil (maybe another $7 when you proportion it all out), your total is about $25 for 32 ounces of body butter. So, you either pay $15 for 4 oz, or $25 for 32 oz! That’s a big savings!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Juniper Berry Body Butter
This DIY Christmas body butter with juniper berry is creamy, moisturizing, and easy to apply. Just whip up a few ingredients and you have a special homemade gift, or just a nice face and body lotion for yourself!
Ingredients
- 1 pound shea butter
- 1/3 cup jojoba oil
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 4 droppers of Vitamin E oil (optional)
- 20-30 drops essential oils - I use Juniper Berry, Patchouli, and Clementine (you can also use Wild Orange)
Instructions
- Start by heating a large pot with 1-2 inches of water on the stove. Set a large heat-safe mixing bowl on top to create a double-boiler.
- Add the shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil to the mixing bowl and stir until fully melted and combined.
- Let the mixture cool for 2-3 hours (or accelerate this by placing it in the fridge).
- Next, add the essential oils. With a handheld mixer, blend everything together. This also helps create that fluffy, buttery texture to the body butter.
- Use a spoon to scoop the lotion out into glass lotion jars.
- Peel and stick these homemade Christmas lotion labels for a perfect gift idea, or just a nice countertop decoration.
Notes
The ingredients say the body butter will last about 6 months, however I’ve used mine for longer. Just be sure to keep the lotion in a cool, dark place and sealed in a mason jar (I use these mason jars).
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