Handcrafted Herbal Body Butter & Skin Hydration Guide

Introduction

Learn how to turn fresh calendula flowers, beeswax, and shea butter into a rich, nourishing body butter designed for sensitive, rashy, or inflamed skin,, wound healing, and deep hydration for dry or cracked skin. 

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to Infuse Fresh Flowers (Like Calendula) Into Herbal Oils
✅ The Best Carrier Oils for Skin Healing & Hydration
✅ Blending Tricks for Luxurious Texture & Stability
✅ The Role of Essential Oils, Beeswax, and Butters in Body Care
✅ Ingredient Ratios for Perfect Consistency
✅ How to Customize with Other Medicinal Flowers & Herbs

Learn the art of  ingredient selection, and the role of dry brushing in skincare for maximum hydration and healing.

Best Substitutes & Customization Tips:

🌿 Swap Calendula for: Chamomile (soothing), Rose (hydrating), Lavender (calming), or Plantain (wound healing).
💧 Best Carrier Oils: Olive (deep hydration), Almond (gentle & anti-inflammatory), Jojoba (mimics skin’s natural oils), Avocado (rich & repairing), Coconut (hydrating).
🧈 Alternative Butters: Cocoa Butter (firm & protective), Mango Butter (light & softening).
🔹 Blending Trick: For a fluffier butter, whip with a hand mixer after cooling for a whipped texture.

Small Batch Calendula Body Butter Recipe

(Makes approximately 2 ounces)

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup fresh calendula flowers (or 2 tbsp dried)

• 2 tbsp carrier oil (olive, almond, jojoba, or avocado or The Healing Happy Body Healing Oil)

• ½ tbsp beeswax pastilles or grated beeswax

• 2 tbsp shea butter (or mango/cocoa butter)

• 3-5 drops essential oil (lavender, chamomile, or tea tree for healing)

Half-Gallon Calendula Body Butter Recipe

(Makes approximately ½ gallon)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh calendula flowers (or 1 cup dried)

• 2 cups carrier oil (olive, almond, jojoba, avocado, or Shell’s Body Oil)

• ½ cup beeswax pastilles or grated beeswax

• 2 cups shea butter (or mango/cocoa butter)

• 30-40 drops essential oil (lavender, chamomile, or tea tree for healing)

Instructions:

1. Infuse the Carrier Oil:

   • Place calendula flowers in a large glass jar.

   • Cover with carrier oil, ensuring flowers are fully submerged.

   • Let sit in a warm, sunny spot for 4-6 weeks OR gently heat in a double boiler on low heat for 3-4 hours.

   • Strain out flowers using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Reserve the infused oil.

2. Melt the Beeswax & Shea Butter:

   • In a heat-safe glass jar or large metal bowl, combine beeswax and shea butter.

   • Place the jar/bowl into a large saucepan filled with 2-3 inches of simmering water (double boiler method).

   • Stir gently until fully melted (this can take 10-15 minutes).

   • Remove from heat.

3. Blend the Ingredients:

   • Stir in the infused calendula oil while the mixture is still warm.

   • Add essential oils and mix well.

   • Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before whipping.

4. Whip for a Light Texture:

   • For a fluffy body butter, use a hand mixer or stand mixer once the mixture starts to thicken.

   • Whip for 3-5 minutes until light and creamy.

   • If it doesn’t whip well, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes and try again.

5. Store & Use:

   • Transfer to multiple clean glass jars or tins.

   • Let set at room temperature or in the fridge for a firmer consistency.

   • Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

DIY Skincare Guide: Make Your Own Herbal Creations

1. Ratios for Any Body Butter:

• 70% butters (shea, cocoa, mango)

• 20% liquid carrier oils (jojoba, almond, coconut, olive)

• 5-10% beeswax (for firmness & stability)

• 1-2% essential oils (for added skin benefits)

2. Herbal Oil Infusion Guide:

• 1 part dried herbs (or 2 parts fresh herbs)

• 2 parts carrier oil

• Let infuse in a warm place for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain and store.

3. Oil Roller Bottle Recipe:

• 10 ml roller bottle

• 1 tbsp carrier oil (jojoba, almond, or fractionated coconut)

• 5-10 drops essential oil (lavender for calming, peppermint for headaches, tea tree for skin issues)

• Add oils, cap the bottle, and shake well.

4. DIY Herbal Balm Recipe:

• 2 tbsp infused herbal oil

• 1 tbsp beeswax

• 5 drops essential oil (optional)

• Melt beeswax, stir in oil, pour into tin, and let cool.

5. Best Carrier Oils for Herbal Infusions:

• Shell’s Body Oil – Hydrating, healing, and perfect for body butter

• Jojoba oil – Balancing, similar to skin’s natural oils

• Olive oil – Deep hydration & antioxidant-rich

• Almond oil – Gentle & anti-inflammatory

• Avocado oil – Rich & reparative for dry skin

• Coconut oil – Antimicrobial & deeply nourishing

6. Blending Tricks & Beneficial Fats/Stabilizers:

• To soften texture: Add more carrier oil

• To firm texture: Increase beeswax or cocoa butter

• To enhance absorption: Use lighter oils like jojoba

• For a whipped consistency: Refrigerate before whipping with a hand mixer

Tips for Success

✅ Use a double boiler to prevent scorching delicate ingredients.
✅ Sterilize jars & utensils to extend shelf life.
✅ Test essential oils on skin before adding to check for sensitivity.
✅ Apply daily to affected areas for deep hydration & healing.
✅ Incorporate dry brushing for maximum absorption and smooth skin.

Enjoy your handcrafted body butter, herbal creations, and radiant skin! 🌿✨

The Power of Dry Brushing for Hydrated, Healthy Skin

Why Dry Brushing?
Dry brushing is an essential step to improving skin hydration and healing. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells, dry brushing allows the oils and butters you apply to penetrate deeply into the tissue, maximizing hydration and nourishment.

Benefits of Dry Brushing:

✔ Exfoliates dead skin cells, improving texture and tone
✔ Boosts circulation, increasing oxygen and nutrient flow to the skin
✔ Stimulates lymphatic drainage, helping the body detox
✔ Enhances absorption of oils & moisturizers, making body butter more effective
✔ Promotes collagen production, leading to firmer, smoother skin

Using Shell’s Dry Brushing Kit, you can easily incorporate this practice into your skincare routine. Simply brush before showering, then apply your homemade body butter or body oil for long-lasting hydration.