If your body butter feels greasy, heavy, or just sits on top of your skin—you’re not alone.
Traditional body butter is made with only oils and butters, which means it can leave behind that oily layer most people don’t love.
But there’s a simple way to fix that.
This emulsified body butter combines water and oils into one smooth, creamy product that feels lighter, absorbs better, and still deeply moisturizes your skin.
If you’ve never made lotion before, don’t worry—this is a beginner-friendly recipe I’ll walk you through step-by-step.
If you’re new to DIY skincare, start here: Beginner Skincare Guide
What Is Emulsified Body Butter?
An emulsified body butter is a cross between a body butter and a lotion.
Instead of just oils and butters, it also contains water—combined using an emulsifier.
This gives it a softer, lighter texture that:
- absorbs into the skin
- feels less greasy
- spreads more easily
Watch How to Make Emulsified Body Butter Video
Ingredients (200 g Batch – 100%)
| Ingredient | % | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Distilled Water | 49% | 98 g |
| Vegetable Glycerin | 4% | 8 g |
| Mango Butter | 15% | 30 g |
| Cocoa Butter | 8% | 16 g |
| Sweet Almond Oil | 8% | 16 g |
| Emulsifying Wax | 5% | 10 g |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 3% | 6 g |
| Fragrance Oil | 2% | 4 g |
| Liquid Germall Plus | 0.5% | 1 g |
| Vitamin E Oil | 0.5% | 1 g |
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Why Each Ingredient Is Used (+ Substitutions)
Distilled Water
This is what makes the body butter feel lightweight and absorb into the skin.
Substitutions:
- Aloe vera liquid
- Herbal infusions (must be properly preserved)
Vegetable Glycerin
A humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin.
Substitutions:
- Propanediol
- Honey (use less, can feel sticky)
Mango Butter
A lightweight butter that absorbs easily and softens skin.
Substitutions:
- Shea butter (heavier)
- Kokum butter (firmer, less greasy)
Cocoa Butter
Adds firmness and structure to the final product.
Substitutions:
- Shea butter
- Mango butter (for a lighter feel)
Sweet Almond Oil
Improves spreadability and gives a smooth skin feel.
Substitutions:
- Sunflower oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Jojoba oil
Emulsifying Wax
Allows oil and water to combine into a stable product.
Without this, your mixture will separate.
Learn more: [What Is Emulsifying Wax?]
Substitutions:
- Polawax
- BTMS-50 (adds a conditioning feel)
Cetyl Alcohol
Thickens the mixture and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
Substitutions:
- Cetearyl alcohol
Fragrance Oil
Adds scent.
Substitutions:
- Essential oils (use at safe usage rates)
Liquid Germall Plus
Prevents mold and bacteria growth. This is required for any recipe containing water.
Important: Why You Need a Preservative in DIY Skincare
Vitamin E Oil
Adds antioxidant properties and supports skin feel.
Optional and can be omitted.
Why You Need an Immersion Blender
To properly combine water and oils, you need enough shear force to create an emulsion.
A spoon or whisk will not be strong enough.
An immersion blender helps:
- fully combine oil and water
- create a stable emulsion
- give a smooth, creamy texture
Without proper mixing, your product is more likely to separate.
Learn more: What Is an Emulsion?
How to Make Emulsified Body Butter (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prepare Water Phase
Add distilled water and glycerin to a heat-safe container.
Step 2: Prepare Oil Phase
In a separate container, combine:
- mango butter
- cocoa butter
- sweet almond oil
- emulsifying wax
- cetyl alcohol
Step 3: Heat Both Phases
Place both containers into a double boiler.
Heat until everything in the oil phase is fully melted.
You want both phases close in temperature before combining.
Step 4: Combine and Emulsify
Slowly pour the water phase into the oil phase.
Immediately begin mixing using an immersion blender.
At first, the mixture will look thin.
Continue blending for at least 1 minute (as it cools—you’ll see it start to thicken and turn creamy).
Step 5: Cool Down Phase
Once the mixture has cooled (warm, not hot), add:
- fragrance oil
- Liquid Germall Plus
- vitamin E
Mix with a spatula to fully combine.
Step 6: Transfer to Container
Pour into an 8 oz wide mouth container.
Let it fully cool and set.
Common Mistakes
Separation
Your oil and water phases were too far apart in temperature or not mixed well enough.
Too thin
Increase cetyl alcohol slightly.
Too waxy
Reduce emulsifying wax.
Storage and Shelf Life
Because this recipe contains water, it must be preserved (that is why the preservative is necessary).
Store in a clean, dry container and avoid introducing water into the product during use.
Shelf life will depend on your preservative, but typically ranges from 3–6 months.
Printable DIY Emulsified Body Butter Recipe
Emulsified Body Butter (Non-Greasy + Beginner Friendly)
Ingredients
- 98 grams Distilled Water
- 8 grams Vegetable Glycerin
- 30 grams Mango Butter
- 16 grams Cocoa Butter
- 16 grams Sweet Almond Oil
- 10 grams Emulsifying Wax
- 6 grams Cetyl Alcohol
- 1 gram Liquid Germall Plus
- 1 gram Vitamin E Oil
Instructions
Prepare Water Phase
- Add distilled water and glycerin to a heat-safe container.
Prepare Oil Phase
- In a separate container, combine:mango butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, emulsifying wax, cetyl alcohol
Heat Both Phases
- Place both containers into a double boiler.Heat until everything in the oil phase is fully melted.You want both phases close in temperature before combining.
Combine and Emulsify
- Slowly pour the water phase into the oil phase.Immediately begin mixing using an immersion blender.At first, the mixture will look thin.Continue blending as it cools—you’ll see it start to thicken and turn creamy.
Cool Down Phase
- Once the mixture has cooled (warm, not hot), add:Mix with a spatula to fully combine.fragrance oil, Liquid Germall Plus, vitamin E oil
Transfer to Container
- Pour into an 8 oz wide mouth container.Let it fully cool and set.
