7 DIY SKIN CARE RECIPES INSPIRED BY EXOTIC BUTTERS

Estimated Reading Time: 5-6 minutes

Exotic Butters are cosmetic raw materials that are extracted from the seeds and nuts of tropical fruits that grow in the remote tropical jungles. These butters are naturally occurring, plant-derived fats that are generally solid at room temperature but melt readily on contact with the skin. The term “exotic” refers to trees and plantations that are dependent on geographical and seasonal variations, which impact the yearly production capacity of Exotic Butters. The trees and plants that bear the fruits, seeds, and nuts of these butters typically grow in the wild and are found in the plantations or jungles of Asia, Africa, and South and Central America. With its rich content of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Exotic Butters are highly favorable in the natural skin care industry for their anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, sun protection, and emollient properties. Exotic Butters are also beneficial for scalp and hair health, since they penetrate below the surface, repairing dryness and damage.

Exotic Butters are thick and solid at room temperature due to their fatty acid profiles and mineral content. They also contain natural antioxidants, which provide them a long shelf-life even without the use of preservatives. In natural personal care products, Exotic Butters are a star ingredient because they can replace paraffin-based ingredients in skin and hair care formulations. Although all butters possess a high viscosity, the different absorption rates make some butters more suitable for specific skin care needs. Slow absorbing butters are thicker and oilier, which is beneficial for treating extremely dry skin and hair. Meanwhile, fast-absorbing butters seep into the skin without lingering stickiness, perfect for absorbing excess oil. Exotic Butters are as diverse as the source they hail from and can serve multiple hair care and skin care purposes. Discover seven recipes that harness the soothing powers of Exotic Butters and add some luxury to your personal care routine.

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TYPES OF EXOTIC BUTTERS

Fast Absorbing: Exotic butters that are fast-absorbing soak into the skin quickly. They moisturize hair and skin without making the surface look or feel greasy, making them ideal for oilier complexions. Fast absorbing butters include Cupuacu, Kokum, Shea, and Tucuma Butters.

Slow Absorbing: Butters that have a slower absorption rate are thicker and oilier in texture. They leave an oily sheen behind, making them ideal for extra dry skin, dry or damaged hair, and skin diseases such as eczema. Slow absorbing butters include Cocoa and Ucuuba butters.

Medium Absorbing: In between Fast and Slow Absorption, Medium absorbing butters possess qualities of both slow and fast absorption, making them ideal for numerous applications. Butters that possess a medium absorption rate include Bacuri, Mango, and Murumuru Butters.

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MOST COMMON EXOTIC BUTTERS

Cocoa Butter: One of the most popular Exotic Butters in the skin and hair care, Refined Cocoa Butter possesses a decadent, subtly chocolate scent, and a rich antioxidant profile. Extracted from the Cacao Bean pod, the fat yields a thick emollient that is naturally high in Vitamin E and Essential Fatty Acids. Cocoa Butter even has a slight SPF and acts as a thickening agent in lip balms, lipsticks, creams, and soaps.

Shea Butter: Shea Butter is the fat extracted from the African Shea Tree nut. High in Vitamins A, E, and F, Shea is also commonly used in skin and hair care due to its intensely moisturizing properties. This Exotic Butter also possesses Collagen, Essential Fatty Acids, and a small amount of SPF, making it ideal for skincare targeting fine lines and wrinkles.

Mango Butter: Extracted from the kernels of tropical Mango Trees, Mango Butter has been used for centuries by the Indigenous people of the forest regions of Southeast Asia. Rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A and E, Mango Butter resembles Shea and Cocoa in texture and composition, except it possesses more fatty acids. It is an intense emollient that is recommended for lotions, body butters, balms, soaps, shaving creams, and hair care formulations.

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LESS KNOWN EXOTIC BUTTERS

Cupuacu Butter (pronounced kuh-POO-a-soo): Cupuacu Butter is lesser-known than Cocoa and Shea, but it has been making waves in the skin and hair care for quite some time. This butter is extracted from the Cupuacu pulp, a fruit that is related to the Cacao bean. Cupuacu boasts a rich Essential Fatty Acid profile, a unique fragrance, and a creamy texture that softens extremely dry skin.

Bacuri Butter: Derived from the seeds of the Platonia insignis fruit, Bacuri Butter has gained widespread popularity in northern Brazil. Known for its deep brown color and rich aroma, Bacuri Butter is fast-absorbing, delivering a non-greasy emollience and smooth, firm-looking skin. Rich in Palmitic Acid, Bacuri Butter also acts as a gentle, natural exfoliant, making it ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

Kokum Butter: Another quick-absorbing butter, Kokum is a natural emollient without being greasy, leaving skin with a healthy glow. Due to its uniform triglyceride composition, Kokum can also act as a substitute for Cocoa Butter in some recipes. Kokum is the most structurally and chemically stable plant butter, which makes it a great hardening agent in homemade cosmetic formulations.

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DIY RECIPES WITH EXOTIC BUTTERS

1. CARROT-INFUSED SHEA BUTTER

Ingredients:

• 48 grams Shea Butter
• 48 grams Mango Butter
• 15 grams Isopropyl Myristate
• 20 grams Carrot Infused Oil
• 17 grams Grapeseed Oil
• 1 gram Vitamin E Oil
• 10 drops Patchouli Essential Oil
• 5 drops Geranium Essential Oil
• 5 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil

Equipment:

• Digital Scale
• Electric Hand Whisk
• Mixing Bowl (Glass, Aluminum, or PET)
• Glass Jar

Instructions:

1. Measure the weight of the Mango and Shea Butter in a glass, aluminum, or PET plastic bowl. Be sure to tare the bowl before taking any measurements.
2. Take the electric whisk and whip the butters until they are well creamed and fluffy.
3. Add the Isopropyl Myristate and whisk again until well combined.
4. Add the Carrot and Grapeseed Oils and continue to whisk. A slight amount of graininess is expected. To minimize this, test the texture of the whipped butter between fingers for any graininess.
5. Add Vitamin E and Essential Oils.
6. Fluff the butter for the final time with a spatula to blend the Essential Oils evenly.
7. Transfer into a glass of PET plastic container and enjoy.

2. LEMON SUGAR COOKIE BODY BUTTER

Ingredients:

• 115 grams Shea Butter
• 55 grams Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Sweet Almond Oil
• 12 drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 12 drops Vanilla Essential Oil
• Mica Powder (optional, to add color)

Instructions:

1. In a double broiler, melt the Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil. You can also use a saucepan within a larger saucepan filled with water, or a glass bowl inside a saucepan filled with water.
2. Transfer ingredients into the mixing bowl and wait until the mixture partially solidifies. This can take up to an hour.
3. Add the Lemon and Vanilla Essential Oils and optional Mica for color. Add the Mica gradually until you achieve your desired shade.
4. Whip on high for 5-7 minutes.
5. Fill your jars or containers.

Notes:

• To speed up drying time, store in the refrigerator. Do not let the mixture harden all the way.
• If the mixture does harden all the way through, simply reheat the mixture and repeat the previous steps.
• This body butter has a shelf life of up to 5 months.

3. DIY PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA BODY BUTTER

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Bacuri Butter
• 1/3 cup Cocoa Butter
• 1/3 cup Coconut Oil
• 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 10 drops Cacao Absolute

Instructions:

1. Place the butters into a double boiler and melt on medium-low heat. Stir gently and carefully, avoid splashing the oils.
2. Remove the bowl from the heat carefully.
3. Allow to cool slightly. Add the Peppermint Oil and Cacao Absolute and stir to combine.
4. Place the bowl in the fridge and leave it for 30 minutes to an hour until firm.
5. Whip the mixture for about 10 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer until a light, fluffy texture forms.
6. Transfer the Peppermint Hot Cocoa Body Butter to a glass jar or stainless-steel container. Store in a cool, dry place.

4. ALL-NATURAL SUPER MOISTURIZING LOTION BARS

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shredded beeswax
• 1/2 cup Shea Butter
• 1/2 cup Cocoa butter
• 1/2 cup Unrefined and Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
• 1/2 cup Jojoba Oil
• 1/2 cup Sweet Almond Oil
• 0.25 dilution of Essential Oils of choice (optional)

Equipment:

• Double boiler or saucepan
• Glass or heat-resistant ceramic bowl
• Spatula
• Fine metal mesh
• Silicone molds

Instructions:

1. Pour water into a saucepan or double boiler and bring to a boil.
2. Place a glass bowl on top of the pan and pour the shredded beeswax. Stir until melted.
3. Add the exotic butters. Once it is about half-way melted, switch off the heat and continue to stir until it is fully melted.
4. Add Coconut Oil and stir until it melts.
5. Add Essential Oils of your choice.
6. Filter the liquid with a fine metal mesh and pour into the silicone molds.
7. Let the molds sit for an hour until the lotion bars harden.
8. Remove the lotion bars from the molds. Rub onto your skin for a rich moisture with a heavenly scent.

5. TURMERIC SOAP BARS

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tbsp Natural Jojoba Beads
• 1/2 teaspoon Organic turmeric Powder
• 2 teaspoons Vegetable Glycerin
• 8 oz Organic Shea Butter MELT & POUR
• 0.5 oz Kokum Butter
• 0.5 Mango Butter
• 0.3 oz Coconut Oil
• 0.3 oz Face and Body Oil
• 5 to 10 drops Essential Oils of choice

Instructions:

1. Cut the Melt and Pour Soap Base into cubes so that they can melt easier.
2. Place the cubes into a heat resistant bowl and place in a water bath. Melt the cubes down for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Measure out the butters and oils. Melt them down and put them aside.
4. To prepare the Turmeric solution, add a couple of teaspoons of Vegetable Glycerin to ½ teaspoon of Turmeric Powder. This will prevent the soap base mixture from clumping.
5. Stir the butters and oils into the melted soap base mixture. Stir continuously until the mixture cools slightly.
6. Now add the Jojoba Beads and the Turmeric solution.
7. Pour the mixture into silicone mold and let sit for 30 minutes before freezing for 3 hours.

6. MOCHA LATTE LIP BALM

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Coffee-Infused Oil
• oz Cocoa Butter
• 0.5 oz Beeswax
• 4 drops Cocoa Absolute

Instructions:

1. Weigh your ingredients with a digital scale (liquid measurement is insufficient for this recipe).
2. Place the Coffee-Infused Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Beeswax in a double boiler.
3. When the mixture is melted, remove from the heat, and let cool slightly.
4. Add the Cocoa Absolute and stir well.
5. Pour into lip balm tubes or pots. Mixture fills about 20 tubes and about 10 pots.

7. HEART-SHAPED MASSAGE BARS

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Mango Butter
• 1/2 oz Apricot Oil
• 1/2 oz Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 0.5 oz Beeswax
• 30 drops Essential Oil of choice
• Pink Mica

Equipment:

• Double boiler
• Laser thermometer
• 8- and 16-bit heart-shaped molds

Instructions:

1. Combine the Mango Butter, Apricot Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Beeswax in a double boiler.
2. Add the Pink Mica. Start by adding 1/8 teaspoon and add gradually until you get your desired shade.
3. Use the laser thermometer to take the temperature. Make sure it does not exceed 175 degrees.
4. Add your choice of Essential Oils.
5. Pour the mixture into the molds.
6. Once the mixture settles and hardens, carefully unmold them.

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EXOTIC BUTTERS: RECOMMENDED USAGE

Lotions & Creams: 5-20%

Balms: 5-100%

Bar Soaps: 5-20%

Hair Conditioners: 2-5%

Soap: 2-10%

See our full plant butters section and our wholesale body butter base.