Lovely Body Butter

 Hydrating, nourishing, and replenishing, this vegan body butter quenches

dry skin, leaving you soft and glowing. This combination of natural butters

forms a protective, regenerative moisturizer that is beneficial for all skin

types.

YIELDS: 8 ounces

⁄ cup unscented cocoa butter

1 tablespoon coconut oil

2 tablespoons sweet almond oil

4 vitamin E capsules

30–40 drops of essential oils, optional (see sidebar)

What you will need: measuring cups, double boiler, rubber spatula,

jars to hold 8 ounces of balm, plastic wrap

1. To Make: Start the double boiler on medium heat. Once it reaches a boil,

reduce heat to simmer. Place the cocoa butter in the top of the double boiler

and cover. Simmer until it is melted, stirring occasionally. To preserve the

beneficial nutrients, do not overheat. Remove from heat, take the top pan

off the double boiler, and dry off with a towel so no water drips into your

melted butter. Add the coconut oil and stir until it is melted. Add the sweet

almond oil and stir. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until the oils have cooled to

the touch but are not yet forming a hard layer around the edges of the pan.

At this point, stir in the essential oils. Pierce the vitamin E capsules and

squeeze the liquid out into the melted oil, discarding the gel caps. Add the

essential oils if desired and stir well, scraping any of the hardened cooled

mixture off the sides and back into the melted oils. Pour into jars, cover

with plastic wrap, and let stand undisturbed for 4 hours or overnight.

2. To Store: Put the jar lids on tightly and label with contents and expiration

date of 1 year. Store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.

3. To Use: To use, remove a small amount from the jar and melt between your

fingertips and spread onto dry skin.

SKINCARE SECRETS

Note that this formula is unscented. There are several fun ways to

incorporate scent into this formula: Substitute the sweet almond oil

for an infused oil ; use an essential oil blend from

use scented versus unscented cocoa butter or coconut

oil. You can get creative and layer an essential oil blend with an

infused oil such as the Sunny Day Blend with the Lavender-Infused

Oil, or choose extra-virgin coconut oil with the Hippie Love Blend,

etc. Whatever you decide to do, have fun, get creative and mix it up!