The Ultimate Guide to Natural Body Butter
When I was growing up, body cream was a one-size-fits-all deal. We were lucky if we had more than one kind to choose from. The idea of "natural body butter" would have had me envisioning something unrealistic and unsavoury, like smearing actual butter from the fridge all over myself. But times have certainly changed, and I’m mostly delighted with the constant evolution of the natural skincare industry.
Recently, while planning a new product for the Body Bliss range at AYA Natural Skin, I was running through ideas with my daughter. “We have to choose,” she said, “to whip or not to whip.” My look of absolute horror had her rolling in laughter as she, for the millionth time, referred to me as an ostrich with my head stuck in the sand. Once we settled on what I actually had to decide on, I was still baffled by the choice between two seemingly similar products. Is the texture difference just a matter of preference, or does it actually impact how well it works? I knew then I had to get to the bottom of the whipped or unwhipped body butter mystery.
And because I always love a little historical fact check, while natural body butters, also known as concentrated plant-based fats, such as shea and cocoa, have been around for centuries in Africa, Mesoamerica, and Egypt, The Body Shop made them mainstream and commercial. They launched their first official body butter product, the Mango Body Butter, in 1992, and it was a huge hit. The background around the whipping part is what I really love; whipped body butter is, in fact, a product of modern home crafters and indie skincare brands. The process of whipping butter with a mixer to create a light, fluffy texture was made in someone’s kitchen as part of a popular DIY and small-business trend, especially in the 2010s. These lovely, innovative creators and formulators sought to create their own customizable, all-natural products.
So, what exactly is an all-natural skincare body butter? Essentially, it is a concentrated moisturiser made from butters and oils. An all-natural body butter is an anhydrous, or water-free, formulation that derives its thick, luxurious texture and nourishing properties exclusively from plant-based fats, with no synthetic fillers or dodgy chemicals. Because it is anhydrous, there is no need for preservatives. The core formula of an all-natural body butter is a ratio of 2:1. Two parts solid, plant-based butters to one part liquid carrier oils. Butters provide bulk and intense moisturising, and liquid carrier oils make the natural body butter spreadable and melt easily on the skin.
A whipped, all-natural skincare body butter is a light, fluffy moisturiser with a mousse-like consistency. Like its unwhipped counterpart, it is also water-free, deriving its luxurious texture and nourishing properties exclusively from plant-based fats and containing no synthetic fillers or questionable chemicals. Because it is anhydrous, there is no need for preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, or yeast. And that is why we love a body butter in the all-natural skincare industry. The core formula of a whipped body butter is often a more balanced ratio of 1:1, combining one part solid plant-based butters with one part liquid carrier oils. The "whipped" texture is created by whipping air into the solid plant-based butters and oils. This higher oil content, combined with the whipping process, infuses the product with air, making it incredibly light, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy.
The Core Ingredients: Choosing Your Body Butter's Base
The beauty of formulating your own all-natural body butter lies in the freedom to choose your ingredients, and while that is always a bonus, like everything, it comes with a caveat. For me, the choice is always potentially overwhelming, and my overstuffed lab is a testament to this. I have a rule now, and I suggest you find one of your own: KEEP IT SIMPLE AND SUSTAINABLE.
When choosing your butters, you can use literally any natural, plant-based option, from the widely loved shea and cocoa, to our own local indigenous South African options like marula butter or mafura butter. For us at AYA Natural Skin, choosing sustainable options is paramount. While shea butter is considered sustainable, fair trade certifications are essential to ensure that the women and communities who produce it receive a fair wage for their work. The biggest sustainability challenges associated with conventional cocoa, however, stem from large-scale farming practices, including deforestation and the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Unregulated cocoa farms can also be associated with poor labour practices, low wages and possible child labour. When purchasing cocoa butter, it is essential to look for certifications from reputable organisations, such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and specific organic certifications (e.g., USDA Organic or EU Organic).
The Liquid Component: The Key to Spreadability
Then it comes to choosing carrier oils, and trust me, if you thought choosing butter was tricky, this takes it to a whole other level. Again, I always go back to KEEP IT SIMPLE AND SUSTAINABLE. In South Africa, we have some truly magnificent, sustainably produced oils. Indigenous oils, such as Marula and Baobab, are derived from resilient trees found in their natural habitats and provide a vital source of income for women in rural communities. Similarly, Kalahari Melon Seed oil comes from a drought-resistant plant and is part of a community-based supply chain. Another oil I absolutely love using is Macadamia nut oil, which is widely considered a highly sustainable choice, especially in South Africa. The trees are well-suited to the local climate, requiring less water than many other plants, and the oil is often a valuable "upcycled" product from nuts not suitable for the food market, which helps to reduce waste. The macadamia industry offers significant economic benefits and provides stable employment for local communities, making it a good choice from both environmental and social sustainability perspectives. Even more conventional oils, such as sunflower, can be a sustainable option when produced locally and cold-pressed, minimising their carbon footprint and supporting local agriculture.
The Finishing Touches: Enhancing Your Body Butter
Now, for the good stuff: to really elevate your body butter beyond a simple blend of natural, plant-based fats and seed-to-skin oils, you can incorporate a host of lovely, natural additives. The purpose of these ingredients is to enhance the product's performance and feel on the skin. A small amount of a light starch, such as arrowroot powder or cornstarch, is a great option to reduce the oily or greasy sensation that naturally happens when using pure butters. A wax, such as beeswax or candelilla, can increase its melting point for a firmer product. For us at AYA Natural Skin, locally sourced beeswax is our first choice. Beeswax, beyond its structural role, also forms a thin, protective layer on the surface of the skin. This layer helps to lock in moisture and protect the skin from harsh environmental factors without feeling overly heavy or clogging pores.
Then, for the pièce de résistance, the scent, and here for us, essential oils are the only option. Beyond a beautiful fragrance, essential oils can offer a range of therapeutic benefits. But again, with everything in life, there is a caveat: essential oils are highly concentrated and must be used at proper dilution rates—typically 1% or less of the total formula. If you have sensitive skin, are pregnant, or are using the butter on children, it is best to seek adequate guidance on your formulation.
Pros and Cons
Unwhipped Body Butter
An unwhipped body butter in its classic, original form is a dense, solid balm that only melts when it comes into contact with your skin's natural heat. Its firm, water-free nature means it contains no added air, resulting in a higher concentration of naturally nourishing butters and oils. This creates a powerful, protective barrier on your skin to prevent moisture loss, making it a true powerhouse for tackling very dry or cracked skin, especially as a restorative overnight treatment. However, its density can be a
drawback for many. An unwhipped butter can feel too heavy for daytime use, taking longer to absorb and potentially leaving a noticeable, greasy residue that can rub off on clothes. Its "heaviness" is a benefit or a drawback depending entirely on the situation and your skin's specific needs.
Whipped Body Butter
Unlike its unwhipped counterpart, a whipped body butter is infused with air, making its light texture incredibly easy to spread. It also allows it to absorb into the skin faster without leaving a greasy residue. It's the perfect choice for daily use and for those living in warmer climates or with less intense moisturising needs. However, the added air means it's less dense and therefore contains a lower concentration of butters and oils by volume. Because it provides a lighter protective barrier, it may not offer the same deep, intensive moisture and long-lasting protection required for severely dry or compromised skin.
The Final Verdict
The verdict is still out on my personal choice—for now, I love the deep hydration of an unwhipped butter for targeted treatment, but I can't resist the airy, fast-absorbing feel of a whipped butter for those light summery days. And so the choice between whipped and unwhipped body butter comes down to what your skin needs at any given moment. What we do know for sure is that at AYA Natural Skin, we are on this path of exploration, and something will be launched soon and might even be at some of the market pop-ups we are doing this year. Follow us on Instagram to see where we will be and what we will finally create.