I love lotions! I know that sounds silly, but I really love slathering myself with wonderfully scented lotions, creams, and body butters that leave my skin feeling as soft. Several weeks ago, I was very excited to discover a new honey almond body butter that smelled heavenly.
One evening a short time later, I took a shower, applied the body butter, jumped into my comfy pink pajamas, came downstairs, and settled down on the couch next to my husband. I was feeling happy and refreshed as I relaxed on the couch. My evening was off to a perfect start!
However, a few minutes later perfection turned to pandemonium. As I rested on the couch, my skin started to itch, I began to feel dizzy, my breathing became a bit more labored, and my chest started to tighten. An almond allergy (unknown until that moment) was causing me to have an allergic reaction to the almond oil in the body butter. JT quickly whisked me off to the emergency room for treatment. Thankfully, after receiving medication my symptoms subsided and I was released a few hours later.
After that frightening experience, I visited an allergist, got an Epi Pen, and started reading labels MUCH more carefully. I also began searching the internet for homemade body butter recipes figuring that if I made the lotion myself I’d definitely know what was in it.
During my search, I stumbled upon this semi-homemade recipe. I have adjusted it to suit my personal taste and now call it Creamy Cocoa Body Butter (pretty creative right?)
Creamy Cocoa Body Butter
1 (8 ounce) container cocoa butter (I prefer Palmer’s)
8 ounces Clear Basics Vitamin E Cream (I purchase it at Family Dollar)
¼ cup VaselineScoop the cocoa butter, Vitamin E cream, and Vaseline into a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to whip the ingredients to a smooth, fluffy consistency. Store in non-metal airtight containers with lids.
Notes: Cocoa butter is very firm, but once it is whipped, it becomes light and fluffy. The recipe calls for the use of Vaseline, but I find it makes the cream a bit too greasy for overall body use. The only time I use Vaseline in the recipe is when I make the cream specifically for use on the feet. After I pedicure, I apply the cream to my feet, slip on a fresh pair of socks, get in bed, and awaken with soft well moisturized feet.
I love this stuff! I apply a generous amount each night before I slip into bed (and I do mean slip!) and apply another healthy dose before slipping into my clothes each morning. The light chocolate aroma is fabulous plus the positive benefits of cocoa butter and Vitamin E cream make it good for the skin. Another plus is that it is relatively inexpensive to make and once it’s whipped you get twice as much.
© 2008 – 2013, Andrea Thorpe. All rights reserved.
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