This whipped body butter is what happens when a skincare ritual becomes genuinely indulgent. A silky base of mango butter and shea butter is whipped until cloud-light, then folded through with an herb-infused oil - rich with Calendula, Comfrey, Chamomile, and Rose - and finished with your choice of essential oils. The result melts into skin on contact, absorbs without greasiness, and smells divine.
The herb infusion is the heart of this recipe. It takes 4–6 weeks using the slow, traditional method, but if you're short on time, a 2–3 hour double boiler method works beautifully. Either way, the infused oil you make is the ingredient that sets this body butter apart from anything you'd find on a shelf.
This recipe makes approximately one 8–16 oz jar of body butter, enough to last 2–3 months with daily use, and it makes an exceptional gift. Everything you need is below.
The Herbs Inside This Butter
The four herbs in this infused oil were chosen for their long traditions of use in botanical skincare: each one bringing something distinct to the finished product.*
Calendula (Calendula officinalis): One of the most beloved skin-supportive botanicals in Western herbalism. Calendula has been used for centuries in salves, oils, and creams for its gentle, soothing properties and affinity with sensitive or dry skin.* Its golden petals infuse beautifully into oil, leaving a warm amber hue.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): Chamomile has been used for centuries to soothe, calm, and comfort — both internally and topically.* Its deep blue azulene compounds, formed during steam distillation, are among the most studied anti-inflammatory constituents in plant-based skincare, and its affinity with sensitive, reactive, or easily irritated skin is well-established across European herbal traditions.*
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): One of the most celebrated skin-supportive botanicals in Western herbalism, Comfrey has been used topically across cultures for centuries, particularly for dry, irritated, or compromised skin. It contains allantoin, a naturally occurring compound traditionally associated with supporting the skin's ability to renew and repair itself.
Rose (Rosa damascena): A timeless botanical in beauty traditions across cultures. Rose is cherished for its softening, toning, and mood-lifting qualities, and the faint floral note it lends to an infused oil is unmatched.*
Two other skin nourishing herbs you can infuse into your oil are Nettle (Urtica dioica) and He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum). Nettle is valued for its mineral-rich profile and its traditional use in formulas intended to support healthy, resilient skin.* He Shou Wu is a revered tonic root from Traditional Chinese Medicine with a centuries-long history of use for its nourishing, rejuvenating properties, particularly in relation to hair and skin vitality.*
Choosing Your Essential Oils
The recipe calls for 20–25 drops of essential oil; enough to lend a genuine scent without overwhelming the delicate herbal base. A few combinations we love for body butter:
- Lavender Kashmir + Frankincense: calming, grounding, and universally appealing. A classic.
- Patchouli + Rose Otto: sensual, floral, and deeply nourishing in feel and scent.
- Ancient Forest: crisp, clean, and forest-fresh. Excellent for a gender-neutral gifting option.
Browse our full Essential Oils collection →
RECIPE
Prep time: 10 minutes
Herbal Infusion time: 4-6 weeks (slow method), 2-3 hours (quick method)
Cool time: 1 hour
Yield: approximately 2 cups
Recipe by: Tracy Reith
Ingredients
For the Body Butter:
- 1 cup herb-infused oil (recipe below)
- ½ cup mango butter
- ½ cup shea butter
- 20-25 drops of essential oils
- Optional: 1/2 tbsp of arrowroot powder (helps reduce the greasy feel)
For the Herb-Infused Oil:
- 1–2 Tbsp each dried Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey, and Rose
- Enough avocado oil to fully submerge the herbs (approximately 1½–2 cups)
Make the Herb-Infused Oil
Slow method (preferred):
- Place 1–2 Tbsp of each dried herb into a clean, dry glass jar. Make sure the jar and herbs are completely dry — any moisture can cause the oil to go rancid.
- Pour avocado oil over the herbs until they are fully submerged with at least 1 inch of oil above the herb line.
- Seal the jar tightly and place in a warm, sunny windowsill. Shake or swirl gently every few days.
- After 4–6 weeks, strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container, pressing the herbs to extract all the oil. Label with the date. Your infused oil is ready to use.
Quick method (double boiler): Place herbs and oil together in a heat-safe bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water. Heat on the lowest possible setting for 2–3 hours, maintaining a temperature of 95–110°F, warm to the touch but never hot. Strain and cool completely before using.
Make the Body Butter:
1. In a double boiler, slowly melt the shea butter and mango butter. If you don’t have a double boiler, place a heat-safe bowl or a smaller pot over a larger pot filled with a couple of inches of simmering water. Make sure the bottom of the bowl or smaller pot doesn’t touch the water. The steam from the simmering water will gently melt your ingredients without the risk of burning them.
2. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the herb-infused oil.
3. Stir in arrowroot powder, mixing well to avoid clumps.
4. Place the mixture in the fridge for 40-60 minutes, or until it’s partially solidified.
5. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the mixture until it becomes fluffy and light. Add essential oils before you whip it up. Make sure not to over do it: 30 seconds max.
6. Transfer to a clean, airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place. Your body butter should last for 6-12 months.
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