Craving a mug of hot chocolate as the weather turns cooler? Well friends, this DIY is most definitely for you. Blending rich cocoa powder, sweet vanilla and a few amazing exfoliants and moisturizers, this shea butter body butter and scrub reminds you of a decadent cup of cocoa plus it’s great for your skin. Add it to your own skincare routine, or store it in a cute jar and give it to a friend as an adorable, easy and inexpensive gift!
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This scrub is a cross between a body butter and a body scrub. So just think of it as an ‘exfoliating body butter.’
Cocoa & Shea Butter Body Scrub Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at these delightful ingredients… starting with cocoa, of course. With antioxidants that help repair damaged skin, cocoa powder quickly becomes more than just a nice flavor in this body butter and scrub. It provides tons of anti-aging antioxidants that help renew and refresh your skin.
Next, enjoy the gentle scent of pure vanilla extract as it calms your mood and soothes the skin.
Put some sweetness to good use by using sugar as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, without being too abrasive and damaging tender skin.
And don’t forget the shea butter and coconut oil that will soften and moisturize, even after you’ve rinsed off the scrub.
Mix these beautiful ingredients together and gently rub them on areas of the skin that need a little extra love this winter. It will leave you feeling smooth, soft and generously moisturized, something you AND your cocoa-craving friends will love!
How To Make an Exfoliating Body Butter
Start your DIY by softening the shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler (or in a heat proof bowl on top of a saucepan) over a low simmer. Alternately, you can microwave them for 30 seconds at a time until softened, stirring often.
When the shea butter and coconut oil are softened, add the sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla and stir until they are all completely combined. Transfer your mixture over to the clean glass jars, then decorate them with a label and some twine or ribbon. Any airtight, clean glass jar will work. Mason jars, small thrifted jars, or cosmetic containers are good options. Just make sure the container is clean and dry before use.
On my gift jar, I put two labels–one for sharing the name of the recipe, one for writing a little friendly note and a brief description of how the body butter and scrub should be used.
FAQ
If you store this in the shower, use within a week. Store it in a cool, dry place to extend its shelf life. If you keep water out of the jar, it should last up to 6 months.
You want the texture to be softened but not fully melted, especially if you’re aiming for a thicker, more buttery texture. If you accidentally melt them completely, you can let the mixture cool slightly until it firms up again before adding other ingredients.
You could, but be cautious of sensitive skin, since the sugar might be too abrasive for facial use. Coconut oil is also know to cause breakouts for some people. If you want to use it as a facial scrub, you might try a gentler exfoliant, like finely ground oats, and a lighter oil, such as jojoba or argan.
Hot Cocoa Body Butter & Scrub
Combine moisturizing shea butter with the gentle exfoliation of sugar and cocoa powder for a body scrub that leaves your skin smooth, soft and moisturized.
Yield: 12 ounces
Cost: $10
Instructions
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Soften the shea butter and coconut oil over a double boiler or in the microwave.
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Add the sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla; stir until completely combined.
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Transfer the mixture to glass jars and use frequently, or add a label and give it as a gift.
Notes
Feel free to store any leftover body butter in the shower for next time and use within one week.
More DIY Recipes for your Body
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Photos by Ana Stanciu
