Does your moisturizer make you nervous? Let me guess: it’s either filled with questionable ingredients or wildly expensive. Or both. Like you, I’ve been seeking a natural alternative to those bottles of creamy (but chemical-laden) conventional lotions. It hasn’t been easy. Coconut oil has always been a top contender, but it wasn’t until I tried a new coconut oil body butter recipe that I finally found my personal holy grail moisturizer.
Whip It: The Secret to Moisturizing with Coconut Oil
I’ve been having an on again, off again love affair with coconut oil as a moisturizer for a few years now. I love that it’s pure, natural and even inexpensive. But we don’t always get along, and in the winter things get hard. Literally. I practically need a jackhammer to get enough coconut oil out of the jar to moisturize my dry winter skin. This is a serious problem, because I’m a big fan of convenience, and wrestling with a jar of coconut oil isn’t exactly my cup of tea in the wee hours of the morning.
Heating the jar to melt the oil never worked for me, either, because I chronically forgot to do it! So most of the time I’d end up digging it out with my fingernails, or I’d just give up and go back to my old lotion stand-by. But deep down I felt there was a way to work things out. Coconut oil and I were meant to moisturize together. I just needed to figure out the how.
One day I ran across a recipe for whipped shea butter, and this got me thinking: can you whip coconut oil? Well, by golly, I had a brand new KitchenAid mixer sitting on my counter (my husband sure knows how to melt a girl’s heart on Christmas!) and five gallons of coconut oil sitting in my pantry. Why not give this coconut oil recipe a go?
The result was a superbly light and fluffy moisturizer that far exceeded my expectations. With a jar of this on hand, I doubt I will ever be tempted to fool around with expensive store bought lotions ever again.
Want to try it out? Here’s how you whip coconut oil:
Whipped Coconut Oil Body Butter Recipe
I love that this coconut oil recipe only requires one (yes, one!) ingredient. Anything else is completely optional. It also only takes a few measly minutes, and you’ll have enough whipped body butter to last at least a month or two. In fact, if you get carried away, put some in an attractive jar and it makes a great gift! It feels sinfully luxurious as a moisturizer, and yet an entire jar of it costs less than $2 to make.
What you need:
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)
- a few drops of your favorite essential oils for fragrance (optional)
What to do:
1. Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Note: Do not melt the coconut oil first. It will only whip up if it’s solid.
2. Mix on high speed with a wire whisk for 6-7 minutes or until whipped into a light, airy consistency.
3. Spoon the whipped coconut oil body butter into a glass jar and cover tightly. Store at room temperature, or in the refrigerator if your house is so warm it melts the oil.
Tip: An electric hand mixer will work, but my KitchenAid stand mixer did an amazing job and I was able to get other work done while it was mixing away. A blender or food processor will not work with this coconut oil recipe, because they tend to warm the oil too much and prevent it from whipping up.
Note: Your whipped coconut oil should stay relatively soft, even at colder temperatures. If it’s really cold, it will become a little more solid, but not rock hard like it normally does. I noticed mine beaded into a froth of tiny coconut oil pearls that melt right into my skin. Love it!
Looking for high quality coconut oil at an affordable price? Check out the marketplace!
Have you made this whipped coconut oil recipe? Do you have your own coconut oil recipes to share? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Do you love coconut oil? You might enjoy these posts:
I’ve done this for a few years and I love it! Nothing beats it…nothing. Another added benefit is that as coconut oil is antibacterial, acne gets nipped in the bud. My adult acne is way way better!
I agree, coconut oil is great for taming break outs for me. I wrote a post on coconut oil and acne here: http://www.livingthenourishedlife.com/2011/07/coconut-oil-for-clear-skin.html
what happens in the summer? Does it still melt or is it a little more stable?
I have a feeling this might melt in the summer months, but I’m not sure. In that case, it might do better in the refrigerator.
And I would think that in the summer months, using it after being refridgerated would feel nice and cool on your skin. Just sayin…
this sounds amazing! thanks so much
What a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing
Wow, great idea. I’ll definitely give this a try. Something I’ve always done is put the jar in the shower with me and then it’s the perfect softness to rub on. I also found if I rub it on a little wet still, it’s not as oily and absorbs nicely making it last longer through the day on my skin.
I also notice that slightly damp skin seems to enhance absorption. It’s perfect after a relaxing bath!
This would also make an awesome base for the medicinal qualities of Young Living essential oils. Coconut oil and lavender have helped heal many skin issues, but it was so hard to work with the coconut oil. Thank you for sharing!!!!
can you use the oil on your face?
I do. My sensitive, acne-prone skin loves coconut oil. It can’t handle the chemicals in typical facial moisturizers.
Thanks for the great post, Elizabeth. I first found out about coconut oil several years ago when a family member that had shingles heard it could help clear up their condition.
Soon after (and after a great deal of research), I started finding uses for it in cooking, baking, and body lotion for my wife and myself as well.
I now have a difficult time ever wondering how I lived without it. Thanks for helping make more people aware of this great natural gift
Thanks for your comment! I agree–coconut oil has so many uses it is hard to imagine life with out it.
Did this actually clear up the shingles? Topically and internally if I might ask? thank you
Thanks for asking, Cindy-
From what I recall, she actually took it both ways: Topically on the affected area, and internally as well through a ‘tea’ when she mixed it with stevia and hot water. To be honest, I don’t recall exactly how long she used it, but she said that it helped.
Next time I see her, if I remember, I’d be happy to ask
Okay. A family member on my husbands side is currently suffering from shingles. Has been in a lot of pain and the next step is electric shock waves to alleviate the pain here in the next two weeks or so. I understand that coconut oil is anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.
Sorry, I am continuing the response as I started to type the 6th line - the cursor was moving, but no words were showing up?? Anyway, I guess I’ll see if he will take about a Tablespoon internally a day and apply topically. Alone? Thanks!
I think alone would be great, but I really like the recipe that Elizabeth provided as well. Vitamin E is considered to be very helpful in fighting shingles. She also suggested an essential oil of choice, and I know that tea tree has many properties as well that is supposed to support the response against shingles.
Best wishes to you
Hey Cindy— Your comment led me to make a phone call.
I guess she had one bout with it that lasted about 12 weeks, prior to using coconut oil.
Then, she had a 2nd bout with it about a year later, and after about the 6th week began using it, and within two weeks, it had cleared up.
She strongly attributes it clearing up quickly to having used it, and says she wish she would have used it sooner. Also, she said it was quite soothing as well.
Hope this helps
Thank you for your post. I love coconut oil for my skin. I have also found a good solution in to melt it and pour it into a silcone ice cube tray and then pop them out when they reset and use it like a bar of soap. I just keep it in a little container on the counter.
That’s a neat idea! That would be convenient for traveling as well (provided it didn’t get over 76 degrees!).
Mix in a little beeswax to keep it solid.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing.
use 92 degree coconut oil.
Definitely a good alternative for warm weather!
sorry if this a duplicate, I don’t see my prior post. Was wondering if 92 degree coconut oil will still melt on the skin the way 76 degree does since skin temp is usually around 92.
Oh yeah… Another Coconut Lover. Thanks… Lady Coconut = ) Mrs. Bruce Fife
Thanks for stopping by, Leslie! Always glad to see Lady Coconut at The Nourished Life.
I’ve had probs with CO being sticky, not absorbing into my skin & rubbing off onto my sheets. I will try this in the shower while my skin is still damp. Hopefully it works! Thanks a lot!
Becky
I’m an esthetician – you may be using too much. Apply a small amount to your skin and leave it for 5 – 10 minutes, then rub into skin again, wipe any excess with a warm, damp soft cloth. It is SO good for your skin and this should help with your issue. : )
Apply to DAMP skin – left that out.
Becky, Are you using virgin coconut oil? I have been using coconut oil for about 8 years for sciatica, cramps in my legs, and as a rub for my sore back. It rubs off on my sheets but has never left a stain; just washes right out. I also use it for my skin.
How do you use it for Sciatica?
My friend tried this, but the oil never changed consistency, no matter how long she left it in the mixer. Any suggestions?
Did she start with solid oil? Since my house is on the cooler side right now, my oil was solid. I’m thinking that helped it whip up so well.
I will ask her. We are in Arizona, so it doesn’t get that cold here. Would refrigeration help or hurt?
It might help to refrigerate it until it’s fairly solid and then try to mix it.
I started with solid coconut oil & whipped & whipped in my stand mixer with the whisk attatchment & it never changed consistency for me either. Maybe I’ll try refridgerating & re-whipping tomorrow.
Ugh, I’m sorry it didn’t work for you! I haven’t done this enough to know how to troubleshoot it, though. I wonder if weather conditions have something to do with results?
I wonder if there were impurities in the oil. That could possibly be an issue. I would think it would need to be pure with no additives.
Well, the recipe says you can add essential oils and Vitamin E to it, so I doubt it would need to be pure. My coconut oil was completely pure as well, and it never whipped up. I live in Southern California, and it’s not that hot here. I guess I will refrigerate it and try again.
Mines not whipping either..its whipping as I type.The oil is pure and I added vitamin E but it still will not whip
ughhh
I tried this for the first time tonight! It’s rather cold where I live at the moment and my electric stick mixer wasn’t working. So I got out the hand whisk and some elbow grease… took a while but it did finally work!
Would this lotion/whipped coconut oil work on feet? I get cracked heels really bad and nothing seems to help.
It is AMAZING on the feet. Keep massaging it in every day and you won’t believe the results. If you can tolerate it, massage it in and sleep in socks.
Thank you! I am getting some of this tomorrow and making my own for my feet.
I have a trick for feet (using coconut oil) which I’ve been using for a few years now. I don’t use whipped coconut oil, although that sounds like a good idea for faces, just regular stuff right out of the jar. I use about 1 cup and melt it (whichever way works best for you – I sometimes let it melt in the jar in a sink of hot water, or if I’m in a real hurry, I’ll use the microwave. Put the oil into two plastic bags, like old bread bags, and sit down in your favorite chair and then put a foot in each bag and wrap the bag around your ankles to keep it in place and then leave for about 30 minutes or so. Have an old towel handy and wipe off each foot as it emerges from the bag, and then into a pair of socks. I do this before going to bed at night but do whatever time of day works for you. ***Note: if you shower afterwards, be sure to put a towel into the bottom of your tub so you don’t slip and fall.
Also, I mix a little coconut oil and lavender oil together and put a VERY small amount in the palm of one hand and rub it all over my hands, through my fingers, onto the backs of my hands, etc. Then I gently run my fingers and hands through my hair. My hair is very long and after being washed it tends to be fly-away. This calms things down and doesn’t get greasy. Gives it a lovel shine, too. I don’t, however, use it on my bangs because they get too oily. I don’t know if the whipped oil would work for this or not because I haven’t tried it yet, but I will!
***NOTE TO ELIZABETH: I don’t know if this is happening to anyone else, but while I was typing this message, the area where the “post as” box is located creates a small bar where about 4 or 5 lines of type don’t show up while I’m typing, so I can’t see if I made any mistakes or not. It’s like typing blind. WHY is that happening??
Sorry about that! This is an occasional glitch in the comment system. Fortunately it doesn’t happen too often.
I second the socks! Coconut oil alone wasn’t enough for my feet, but putting on socks right after makes all the difference.
Very cool! I wouldn’t have thought of whipping it up, even though I use it every night as a “cream”.
I initially was using coconut oil right out of the jar, too. Then I came up with an idea to create a nutrient rich, all natural, Super Body Butter, if you will. 2 parts coconut oil, 1 part shea butter, 1 part cocoa butter, vitamin E (in carrier oils). It’s fabulous! I don’t have a nice stand mixer, so I melt it slightly, and use an immersion blender to emulsify it. I don’t know if its my lack of patience or blender power, but it just emulsifies rather that really whips up. But it’s still great. I use it every day, and smear it on my kids after baths. Good stuff!
I always wondered if mixing other oils with the CO would work. Do they separate after a time, or does the whole works stay bound together? I’ve mixed essential oils with CO, of course, but that’s only a few drops at a time.
I think more solid oils like shea and cocoa will work, but I am not sure if liquid oils (like olive) would work as well.
It might work with a small amount of liquid oil, but too much liquid oil will likely prevent it from whipping altogether. Shea butter and cocoa butter will mix well with coconut oil, though.
That sounds divine! I think mixing with shea and/or cocoa butter is a great idea, especially in warmer climates where melting is a problem.
What a great idea! Here is Colorado the coconut oil get very tough to dig into in the winter…love this idea, thanks.
Brilliant! Just what we need. My 8 year old has very angry hands after using school soaps. We’ve been putting on coconut oil at night, but it’s so messy and hard to get massaged in. I’ll try the whipped because it IS working, if only for the night. Her hands are always much better in the morning if we do this. Thank you!
Have you tried gloves? My daughter had trouble with dry hands earlier this winter, but moisturizing and then wearing gloves all night solved the problem within 3 days. She hated the gloves at first but didn’t care once she saw how quickly it worked!
I made this yesterday and the consistency is wonderful!! I’m curious to see if it changes with the fluctuating temperatures in our home. Thank you so much for sharing this solution!! I had already been using coconut oil as a moisturizer and always found it annoying when it hardened.
Glad you enjoyed it, Alice!
I made this last night and I love it, I added Lavender essential oil to the mixture and it smells great!!
I have the KitchenAid, I have the Cocount Oil, I have the Vitamin E capsules, I have Lavender Massage Oil (no essential oils) this would work for me…. THANK YOU!
The whipped oil looks so divine in your photo, Elizabeth! I share your sentiments about the consistency of the oil as it is sold in the jar. It’s eiher rock hard or liquid and very difficult to deal with. I wanted to try your suggestion, but I don’t have a mixer
. I tried with a Vitamix as well as a Cuisinart and neither worked. They just liquified the oil indefinitely… I think it is because the blades are too fast. The Kithen Aid works much slower. Perhaps I’ll try with a hand mixer. I really want to do this!! 
Thank you for the idea!
I think another problem with a Vitamix or Cuisinart is that they get very warm after a few minutes, which will melt the oil and prevent it from whipping as well. My KitchenAid keeps it cool enough where the coconut oil only softens instead of melts. You might have more success whipping shea butter, which stays solid at higher temperatures.
Yes, I think you are right about the heat. I will try whipping shea butter and see what happens. Such fun!
Have you tried this yet with the hand mixer? If so, how did it work out? Thanks.
Tried with a hand mixer from room temp CO and it stayed liquid. Then I refrigerated it and tried it with a hand mixer, and it wouldn’t break up the chunks. Guess I don’t live in a cold enough climate, and don’t have a KitchenAid
I tried with a electric hand mixer tonight and it wouldn’t move out of a liquid state. Then I tried with a basic hand whisk and it did finally work! It is cold here at the moment too.
I refrigerated my oil first, then I used the hand mixer on high for 4-5 minutes and it worked great.
Awesome! Getting the oil cold first can really make a difference.
I love this idea. My skin is so sensitive and I think the products I use now aren’t helping. I am going to see if I can come up with a gentle cleansing bar using the coconut oil as well. I use something called a LoLo Bar now, while damp from the shower and I love how it stays on and moisturizes my skin. It’s made with almond oil, beeswax, hempseed oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and vit E.
I have used coconut oil as a moisturizer for years but never thought of whipping it – I can’t wait to try it!! A genius idea!!!
I use 76 degree coconut oil in my handmade soap. But I am becoming confused… I didn’t know there were so many different kinds. I usually buy in bulk from an oil supplier, but I was running short and purchased some in the health food section of my local grocer. It smelled like coconut! I’ve never noticed that in my soapmaking before. Can you explain the difference? virgin coconut oil? extra virgin coconut oil? 76 degree? I know there are more…
It can definitely be confusing! Here’s what I know:
All coconut oil (as far as I know) is 76 degree oil, because coconut oil starts melting at 76 degrees.
There is no difference between virgin and “extra” virgin. Those are just two ways of describing unprocessed coconut oil. This oil has not been extensively heating or filtered, so it still retains the scent and flavor of coconut.
Refined or expeller-pressed oil has no smell or taste. It is usually less expensive, and also more versatile since it doesn’t taste like coconut.
There is also a 92 degree coconut oil, though I’ve never tried it. I like the 76 degree because, living in the desert, I can just put my container on the back patio for a short while, and then I can easily get it out of the container.
The thing to look for with coconut oil is this (IMO!): if you want to eat it, look for cold-pressed, virgin, organic coconut oil. If you’re going to use it in body products (homemade or otherwise) look for expeller-pressed or refined (no scent will be involved with those). There is no such thing as extra virgin coconut oil, as far as I know. It’s a marketing gimmick.
Oh, neat, I didn’t know there was a 92 degree coconut oil.
The virgin coconut oil has the coconut sent to it, refined coconut oil does not
So, I can use this on my face too? So doing this!!!
Absolutely, this is great for the face. I add extra vitamin E for my face too, it’s very healing.
this looks great!! Does it leave the skin oily for a while after? Im looking for a morning moisturiser; one I can put on, wait 5 minutes then get dressed straight after.
I find that I can keep from feeling to oily if I rub it in while my skin is still damp and use just enough to do the job–too much and I definitely have a greasy mess on my hands!
If it gets too warm,do you have to re whip it,or will it stay after its whipped?
I think it may melt at higher temps. My house is cool right now, so I can’t say from experience. You could just refrigerate it at that point, though.
I love coconut oil but when I try to use it as a moisturizer my skin itches terribly. Allergy? As far as I know I’m not allergic to anything.
For some people, I’ve heard that coconut oil can be drying. It helps to massage it in right after a hot bath or shower while the skin is still damp. And sometimes other oils tend to work better for some folks–it’s all individual!
Uh, coconut oil.. I can think of other uses for it, and this “body butter” style is perfect.
My wife and I will try it out and let you know..
yes, Jmillen62, it works VERY well for that too.. as I keep a pretty jar of it next to my bed table just for that purpose… if you’re implying what I THINK you’re implying … hehe
where does one buy coconut oil?
You can find my favorites source for high quality coconut oil here: http://villagegreennetwork.com/marketplace/fats-oils-coconut-products?affid=123297\” target=\”_blank\”
I got mine at Wal Mart, It was right beside the oils, but it is a hard oil, not liquid.
what type of coconut oil do you use cold press, centrifuged, or expeller pressed… There are many to choose from which do find works the best for you
I keep mostly expeller-pressed at home because I get the most use out of it. None of us like the coconut flavor/smell very much, so it makes it simpler to just get expeller-pressed in bulk. Of course, you can use whichever you are most comfortable with, but I don’t believe it makes a notable difference healthwise.
OK…I am totally doing this! I am new to the Coconut Oil Obsession fan club, but have been using it as my total body moisterizer…can’t wait to whip it!!!
I seem to be missing something here. I followed the directions to the T and my oil never whipped up? Any suggestions?
I think this happens when the coconut oil is too warm. My house is cool this time of year and my coconut oil was pretty solid when I did this recipe, and I suspect that’s why it worked out so well. If your house stays on the warmer side most of the year (like 72+ degrees F), then shea butter might be a better option.
Mine never whipped up either. I used the whisk. It was solid when I started…I whipped for the entire time. Mine only got more liquid. It’s organic, expeller-pressed, no additives.
Sorry yours never whipped up!
From what everyone’s said in comments and email, I suspect temperature has a lot to do with the results. The mixer naturally warms the coconut oil a little, so if your room temperature is on the high side, the coconut oil will probably liquify rather than whip. Like I said above, if your house tends to be warmer than 72 degrees F, shea butter will probably give better results because it has a much higher melting point.
Just an idea I’ve had while reading these comments (I haven’t tried it) – I wonder if, in warmer climes, you could freeze the bowl or put it in a sink of ice cold water and then whip??
That’s an excellent idea! I believe one reader tried something like that and it worked very well.
Im in Florida and was also having a difficult time getting the CO to whip. I put some in the freezer for about 5 minutes and then whipped it using a hand blender with a whisk attachment. In no time at all I had butter!!
t just needs to be colder and keep it in the fridge and this should work!
It is summer here and the temperature is very hot. I had trouble whipping the oil so I filled the bottom of a bowl with ice, then set my bowl with the oil in it into the bowl of ice. I used a hand mixer on the lowest speed and within a minute I had fluffy whipped oil! I had to immediately refrigerate it as it began melting again right away. I am really looking forward to using this after my shower in the morning! I am also going to make a batch up with lavender and tea tree oil for my feet because I am prone to athletes foot.
Awesome, so glad you found a way to whip it up in this summer heat!
Do I get the organic coconut oil or the refined? I wasn’t sure if it should have a smell to it or not. Thanks! Gonna try this one!!!:)
You can use either one. If you like the coconut smell, go for virgin coconut oil. If not, you can choose refined/expeller pressed instead.
Going to try this…sounds great!
Thank you so much! I love how easy this is!
you are a genius! thanks!
If 16 oz costs $16.95, how does a jar cost just $2 to make? I’m confused
I buy the expeller-pressed coconut oil 5 gallons at a time (this easily lasts me 12-18 months). Even after shipping, for me this works out to less than $2 per jar of whipped coconut oil. You definitely get a better deal buying in bulk.
Where do you get the 5 Gallons from?
Thanks
busymom0823@yahoo.com
Melissa, I get my 5 gallon bucket here: http://villagegreennetwork.com/marketplace/fats-oils-coconut-products?affid=123297\” target=\”_blank\”
Made this stuff last night and at first I have to admit that I was a little nervous about using it. It felt really greasy and I was worried it might clog my pores but after using a VERY tiny amount, it felt much less greasy. Plus I read some of the comments and found out that it can actually help to alleviate acne! Amazing! I’ve also heard that coconut oil is the best remedy for chapped lips. As a chapstick addict I’ve never been able to go a day without wearing it (and I ALWAYS wear chapstick before bed). I’m looking forward to replacing my chapstick habit with this whipped coconut oil. I just wish it could come in a chapstick-like form! I’m not a big fan of using my fingers to apply lip balm. Any suggestions?
Glad you enjoyed this! Maybe you get get some into an old, empty chapstick container? I know some people do this with old deodorant sticks so they can use coconut oil as deodorant. Maybe this would work with chapstick as well.
I agree with Elizabeth, stick it in the fridge and keep it cool, apply before bed, and put back in the fridge.
chapstick! GREAT IDEA!! Woudln’t have ever thought of that. My 3 year old wont’ quit licking his lips and has a red ring all around his mouth. Definitely trying this. And Elizabeth – I’m loving the whipped coconut oil as a lotion! Isn’t quite as whipped as yours was, but still working wonderfully as a moisturizer. We’ll see what happens this summer though!
Glad that you’re enjoying your whipped coconut oil! My son (5) had that problem a few weeks ago. He’s a little older so we were able to get him to stop licking his mouth so much after some persistence, but in the interim coconut oil did help the red ring disappear!
if you’re going to use it as a lip balm and keep it in a small tin or stick form, you must melt some beeswax into it as the melting temperature of pure CO will melt in your pocket or purse if you go out in warm weather. The beeswax has many wonderful natural properties in itself and it will change the melting point of the entire mixture.
This is a great idea. I am so gonna do this. I love coconut oil for just about EVERYTHING. Thank you for this.
is there a recipe or a brand of coconut sugar scrub i can make? thank you, lisa
I haven’t written up a coconut sugar scrub recipe yet, but I found a yummy looking one here: http://foodformyfamily.com/the-kitchen-sink/ginger-and-coconut-oil-sugar-body-scrub
I just made my own with CO, Vit E, Jojoba oil, an essential oil and sugar. I put just enough oils that when I mixed them, everything blended. I didn’t want an inch of oil on top. Thankfully if that happens, just add more sugar.
I have a few questions.
What do you use for vitamin e?
Straight vit e or mixed with anthing – I want to use this on my face.
I am also looking for a facial cleanser to use as well to help clear up my adult
acne. Any suggestions?
I use liquid Unique E or NOW vitamin E oil.
For an acne cleanser, my two favorites are Nutrabiotics non-soap cleanser:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EXVAFQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=naturallyexpe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001EXVAFQ
And also Derma-Klear sulfur soap: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000POX044/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=naturallyexpe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000POX044
I use the Nutrabiotics when my skin is feeling sensitive and needs a gentle cleansing, and I use Derma-Klear during a breakout or when I need extra cleansing.
I am wondering what you use for vitamin E. I can only find vitamin E in capsules (pure) or as an oil with others stuff as stabilizer. I would like to make this so I can use it for facial cream.
Also, I was wondering what I could use as a facial cleanser? any suggestions for adult acne?
does anyone know what kind of shea butter to buy and where? Looks like there are different kinds and I’m confused which to buy. Looked on Amazon prime for products. I live in Texas so probably need to use something that isn’t so temperature sensitive
I don’t have extensive experience with shea butter, but NOW Foods is usually a good, affordable brand to start with. If you’re looking for product reviews, I suggest checking out iHerb.com–they have tons of reviews on many common health products, and I often go there to check the reviews even if I end up buying elsewhere.
Wow…this couldn’t be easier! I’ve made facial and body creams with various solid fats and oils, emulsified in liquids like rosewater and aloe vera. Very tricky to get it all right. I’m definitely going to try this, along with a couple of essential oils that I know work well for my skin. Thanks!
Eleanor
I’ve always used coconut oil to fry my egg in the morning and rubbed a little on my hands and face. I think I will use your recipe but add some EVOO, organic, and I’ll let you know how it works. thanks
Sounds great! Let me know how it turns out.
This might be a silly question but where did you find 5 gallons of coconut oil? All I could find was a small jar at Sprouts for $6. Thanks!
I get mine online to save money. Coconut oil at local stores is usually much more expensive. My favorite online source can be found here: http://villagegreennetwork.com/marketplace/fats-oils-coconut-products?affid=123297\” target=\”_blank\”
I get mine there as well. This week they have their brand on sale for $4.99 & it is refined.
We made it! I love it and posted about it. We linked back to you! Thanks so so much
http://www.abirdandabean.com/2012/03/whipped-coconut-oil.html
Awesome! It looks like it turned out well. It looks so good in those cute little jars, too!
I had NO idea you could do this!! This is incredible (and it looks so tasty), so I obviously must try this. I have a carrot cake in the oven, and would love to top it with this. I might also try my skin, as well! Thank you so much for sharing Elizabeth.
I know, I can’t believe it took me this long to think of whipping coconut oil. I am definitely thinking this will work in yummy edible ways, too. It’s worth experimenting with.
I am so excited to try this recipe!! My children and I made homemade lemon sugar scrub as a teacher gift this past Christmas and it was sch a hit!! I had no idea how easy, and fun, making homemade products like this could be!!
I always use coconut oil as a moisturizer, but never thought to whip it! I just made it (with the added Vitamin E) and it is great! It was a bit of a pain to make because I had to use a hand mixer, but it was worth it.
I’m glad to hear you were successful in whipping it with a hand mixer! That’s good to know for anyone doesn’t have a stand mixer.
I wanted to share – I made this tonight for the first time. I went to my local health food store for the vitamin E oil and they were out so she suggested EMU Oil, the owner explained how good it is for your skin. It seemed to work just fine. I’ve been using coconut oil a lot lately and I’m in love with it! Thank you for the recipe!
THANK YOU! I am going to go try this right now! I have been trying to find a recipe for whipping coconut oil, and only found shea butter ones! I was just about to try this on my own, but I feel a lot better knowing you’ve already done it and it works! Yay!
This would make a great gift!
Whipped up a batch of coconut oil body butter today. I added a couple of drops of vanilla extract. It smells just like homemade vanilla ice cream. Soooooo loving it!
Ok, after seeing all the other posts on here, I’ve decided to share. I take a tsp. in a cup of tea, cook my eggs with it every day, use in on toast instead of butter, put it on my poor diabetic feet to help the cracked heels and use it to remove my makeup and moisturize at night. After removing my makeup, I wipe it off with a tissue then use a warm wash cloth. While I’m still warm from the tub, I apply it for nighttime moisture.
What a great idea! Vanilla sounds like it would smell delicious.
I love coconut oil. I mix it with baking soda to make a flouride free toothpaste. I never thought of this idea…thanks so much. I can’t wait to try it.
I whipped some as per your instructions and I could not get mine to take on a whipped consistency, but it was more like pudding. Is this how it is supposed to be or perhaps I didn’t whip it on high enough speed or long enough? I suppose it doesn’t really matter, I am able to use it like a lotion just fine.
It is still rather dense even in “whipped” form, kind of like cake frosting.
Thank you for sharing. We also added tea tree oil and my boyfriend who has psoriasis is doing so much better. He went from being about 90% covered to about 30%. We put it on every day 2 times a day. No more flaking the itching has even went away. It is great!!!
Wow, Melissa, what a testimonial! I’m so happy to hear how this worked for your boyfriend. I hear a lot of great coconut oil testimonials, but they never fail to be exciting–natural methods are amazingly effective!
GENIUS! I had no idea coconut oil could be whipped! I have a hand mixer so I’ll be getting a workout while making this, two birds with one stone
Where do you get a five gallon container of coconut oil?
I get mine online to save money. My favorite can be found here on my resources page: http://villagegreennetwork.com/marketplace/fats-oils-coconut-products?affid=123297\” target=\”_blank\”
I tried going to your resource page to find where you buy coconut oil but it won’t let go there. What’s the web address to the place you buy your coconut oil? I want to buy it in bulk, at least a gallon or more and I don’t want to pay a too much money.
I get mine from Wilderness Family Naturals.
I tried this and nothing happened. I let it go on high for 20 mins. I followed exactly. Has this ever happened to you??
The temperature could be the problem. If it gets too warm in the mixer, it could prevent the oil from whipping properly.
So I found this via Pinterest and just whipped it up yesterday. I have awful dry skin and ezcema, and am hopeful that this helps!!
I tried whipping mine….it didn’t whip! I don’t know if it’s because it had melted before (house very warm) & then started to cool off & get hard again, or because it’s refined. I put my Kitchen Aid bowl in the fridge to try to get it cool & I’ll try from there.
From what other commenters have said, temperature could definitely be an issue. If it gets too warm in the mixer, I believe this could prevent the oil from whipping properly.
Great idea to whip the oil! I’ve been using coconut oil instead of lotion for the past two years and I never thought of whipping it up. Thanks for the info!
Thanks so much for sharing, Elizabeth! I do not have overly dry skin, but am going to make this recipe, because I know the benefits of coconut oil.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
So what is better the liquid or the solid kind? I want to try using it but I’m confused about what type I need to purchase. Please help.
Coconut oil can be solid or liquid, depending on the temperature. Coconut oil has a melting point of 76 degrees F, so at that point it will start becoming softer and more liquid.
Ok I tried the hand mixer without the whisk and all I got was a watery coconut goo, needless to say it does not resembles your picture at all
I feel like I’m missing something
It sounds like the coconut oil got too warm and melted. This is a common problem in warmer weather.
I do not usually comment a link to my blog but I just posted a sunburn remedy with coconut oil here is the link.
I am making your body butter tomorrow! Thank you! 
http://www.striveforprogress.com/be-healthy-heal-a-sunburn-in-one-night/
I have Lupus, & developed skin problems from mineral oil, ect. Started using coconut oil for everything. Make-up remover, cooking,makes great popcorn, you name it! Favorite is Swansans extra virgin coconut oil! Luv the whipping recipe! Thank you, luv your site!
Thanks, Lorilea! Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Love this! I used Dr. Bronner’s Magic all-one Fair Trade and Organic Coconut Oil, added rose, lavender and ylang ylang oils and whipped it with my $12 hand held mixers – worked like a charm! Thank you
Awesome! Ylang-ylang sounds like a great addition.
Read through alot of comments and i didnt see this asked or answered so sorry if it already has….i previously bought refined coconut oil b/c its what the store has. do you use, or is another kind better for this recipe, especially for acne? Like virgin or unrefined etc. I dont feel like im getting the same results with anything with the refined but dont know whats best or at least better. Thanks
It doesn’t matter beyond personal preference and experience. Some very sensitive individuals may react to the natural compounds in virgin coconut oil, which is why some tolerate eating refined oil vs. unrefined. I’m not sure how this translates to skincare, but it’s something to consider.
Thank you for the response. I do have very sensitive skin….adult acne and some dermatitis so maybe ill try my refined first. I just wasn’t sure if they all had the same nutrients, benefits etc.
The fatty acids and lack of additives are what makes coconut oil so great for your skin–and those benefits are there whether or not it’s refined.
This might be a question you have already answered, but from the comments I read, I didn’t see it. Do you have to re-whip it after time or does it hold its consisitancy indefinitately?
I haven’t had to rewhip mine yet, and it’s been a few months. If it gets too hot and melts, then there might be an issue.
I tried to whip up the coconut oil its virgin coconut oil that I had gotten from Puritan.com….but it doesn’t seem to want to whip up…is the heat (its 76+ here right now)or is it the type of coconut oil.
It’s definitely the heat. At melting point, it won’t whip up.
Thanks for the quick reply…I shall try again in the winter then. I love coconut oil. I use it for my hair, body lotion, stir frying, in my oat meal.
So is the coconut oil you whip a solid or licquid?
Solid. If you start with liquid, it won’t work because the mixing keeps it above melting point, so it will remain in liquid form.
What are we doing wrong? It whipped into a liquid mess. We tried adding xantan gum to thicken it up, BIG FAIL!!
If coconut oil reaches 76 degrees or higher, it will melt. And if it melts, it won’t whip up, it just stays in liquid form. I have a feeling that during the warmer months, whipping coconut oil just may not be practical for a lot of folks unfortunately.
Aghhhh! We tried and FAILED!! Ended up with liquid mess.
Thanks for the tip on whipping it!!! Also it makes a huge difference what kind you buy as the quality varies for theraputic issues. Extra virgin has more nutirents, and organic is best no impurities. I LOVE Nature’s Way Extra Virgin Organic CO found at health food stores. It totally cleared up my excema and helps you lose weight b/c the fat is used as energy in your liver and not as fat. engery
…It gives you energy because of how it’s metabolised. Makes the best popcorn and use it in place of any fat in cooking. Many people take 4 t’s a day for weight loss. My fav treat….take gram crackers and spread with good coconut oil, add a piece of dark chocolate on top…yummy smores w/o the sugar of a marshmellow.
I have made body lotion with 1 cup coconut oil, 1 cup vitamin E cream and 2 cups of my favorite scent of baby lotion ( a new apple scent just avialable form J&J is amazing)
I have shared this with many and it gets rave reviews!!!
Funny enough, I found my husband rubbing coconut oil on his dry skin yesterday, a first! This is a great way to customize it for him with an essential oil that he likes…love it!!
http://www.sustainablegreenearth.com/
Hmmm, this got the wheels turning. Back in February I had a breast reduction and have (since I was able to begin using topicals) been using my own mixture of emu oil, castor oil and vitamin e oil on the incisions. Here we are, 4 months later and theres very minimal redness. Plus, my mix is amazing on stretch marks as well. I use it on my face and hair as well, love it. Now I’m so curious to add this to whipped coconut oil. Any thoughts on how it might turn out? (Are all these oils friendly with each other?)
I am not sure how the oils might mix, or if the liquid oils would whip
with the coconut oil. I know that if you just mix them together, then
they will separate if the coconut oil turns solid again.
I just mixed the first batch, left the oils out. Not much happened. I think the CO was too warm & soft. I got out an ice pack, set it under the bowl and continued to mix. It worked, mostly to cool the CO, however, the stuff did begin to harden on the bottom of the bowl. In the end, it turned out ok (I think). Just need to make sure for future reference, that the CO is on the colder side of room temp.
Yep, it definitely needs to stay cool in order for it to whip. Good thinking with the ice pack!
I Love your Whipped Coconut Oil and am going to make some.BUT,does the whipped coconut oil go “Flat”(lose it”s air) in hot weather and turn back again into “regular” coconut oil?
If it melts fully, I suspect it will loose its “fluffy” quality, so to speak. But my house is definitely on the warmer side this time of year, and my whipped coconut oil hasn’t lose any of its fluff. So it probably depends on just how warm it might get.
awesome stuff looks good enough to eat!!! lol
Have used CO for years and I can’t believe that I had never thought about whipping it…very cool suggestion! Thanks so much!
Do you use the solid coconut oil (unrefined) or the liquid kind?
I use refined, personally, because that is what my family prefers. But coconut oil (refined or unrefined) can be solid or liquid, depending on the temperature. Coconut oil has a melting point of 76 degrees F, so at that point it will start becoming softer and more liquid.
try mixing some oil of oregano oil in the mix for a healing effect but do it in small samples to get a effect your satisfied with .
What if you dont have a wire mixer?
I tried this with a blender and it just reduced to liquid! Help!
A blender probably heats up enough to melt the coconut oil, which will prevent it from whipping. A hand mixer is a good alternative if you don’t have a stand mixer.
I mix my Coconut Oil with Aloe Vera Gel. I place 2 ozs. of Coconut Oil and 2 ozs. of Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel, in a mixing bowl. Then I just whip it together, using a hand mixer. Within minutes, it is light and fluffy, plus cooling and soothing, due to the Aloe in it.
That’s a great combination. I love Fruit of the Earth aloe!
Coconut Oil with Fruit of the Earth Aloe Gel, is totally amazing. I also like to whip 2 ozs. of Coconut Oil, 1 oz. of Aloe Vera Gel, (use Fruit of the Earth brand), and 1 oz. of Fractionated Coconut Oil, or 1 oz. of
Grapeseed Oil. It is also a nice combination.
Can you recommend a glass storage jar for homemade body butters? Thanks!
I usually just use glass jars I have around the house, but mason jars also come in a bunch of handy shapes and sizes if you need some.
Hi, I always thought you had to mix hard oils with soft in order to achieve this type of texture? (75/25%) I’m wondering how it doesnt re-solidify when cold?
Because the coconut oil gets aerated in the whipping process, the tiny pockets of air prevent it from becoming completely solid again.
I tried this recipe with my kitchenaid mixer. After 12 minutes I gave up, my coconut oil never came to a whip like it shows in your pic. Disappointed.
i like this artical, making shea butter, in fact i like it so much , im going to use this recipe. amagine whipped shea butter, who knew.
omg this is sooooooo cool! christmas gifts!
I love coconut oil. It is the best for alot of things. But I tried whipping it in my
Bosch with the whips and it does not work. Don’t waste your time. Sorry, I wish it did work, because it would be greatest.
Ack, sorry it didn’t whip for you! It’s most likely a heat issue for the Bosch. Once that coconut oil gets near melting point, it has no chance of whipping up.
love love loveee coconut oil. I didn’t see anyone mention this, but its great on hair as well.
my ends are sadly damaged, and coconut oil really tames them down and keeps them soft (:
From each reader with allergies, we thank you!!!
I wonder if this would work for my husband’s “trench foot”. He’s a chef on his feet 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, and gets open sores and other foot problems to the point he can hardly walk. The doc’s have given him prescriptions but nothing’s really helped. I like the idea of melting the oil and having him soak his feet in bags. Just need to find bags big enough…
Has he tried soaking his feet in apple cider vinegar?
I made this last night, it looks nothing like yours, and this morning it was hard again.. What am I doing wrong? What type of coconut oil do you use?
I used expeller pressed coconut oil, but the type of coconut oil shouldn’t matter much. If it didn’t whip, it’s most likely an issue of heat, because even if it gets just a little too warm, it won’t whip up at all and will harden up as usual when it cools.
does whipping it make it less oily? i’ve been using coconut oil straight but am getting tired of finding grease spots everywhere, and having it get on my glasses!
I would say whipping the oil does make it easier to use less of it, since it is aerated and somewhat easier to spread. However, it is still oil and can be oily if you use too much. One suggestion I can make is to use a very small amount on damp skin. This tends to help it absorb and won’t leave a residue that will rub off on clothes, glasses, etc.
do you think you could whip olive oil into a body butter, I also know olive oil is good for your skin, just wondering?
Olive oil is liquid and will not likely whip unless it is mixed with something more solid like shea butter.
Don’t try it in the summer!!!!! I live in Greece with 30 degrees celsious.
It stays liquid and so I had to freeze it with ice cubes. It looked great but after 5 minutes it started melting again!
I love the idea of this recipe, But I am finding that it won’t whip up for me. I;m assuming that it is because it is simply to warm (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit) . I put the mixture into the fridge and I’m going to wait for a cooler climate to try it again.
Hi! Will this work for coconut oil that is liquid and not solid? Thanks!
No, it will not work with liquid oil.
Thanks for your reply. What if I freeze the liquid oil first?
It might work, but if it gets hot enough to melt during the whipping process, then it won’t whip.
Can this be used on the face without clogging pores?
It depends. Some people have amazing results with coconut oil on their acne-prone skin, and others find it to be pore-clogging, so your mileage may vary.
Thanks for the information! I may have to experiment, though I am prone to clogged/enlarged pores.
awesome site! I found you through a friends pin. I will definitely try this. I make lotion bars with coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter, but this sounds awesome too.
I use coconut oil in the shower every day for the KP on my arms. It definitely helps soothe the bumps. The product I use is located in the beauty products aisle at Fruitful Yield and it’s their own NOW brand. http://www.fruitfulyield.com/Shopping/Products/M003565.htm?cat=Body It has no odor and it soaks right into my skin…no rubbing off on the sheets or clothes. I bought the food product once because it was cheaper, and it wasn’t the same at all…sticky and smelly! I’m going to try whipping the coconut oil I use because the Chicago winters really solidify the oil. Thanks for the tip.
PS – I tried to access your resources link, but it wanted me to sign up for a Blogger account to see the list.
Thanks for the tips about choosing a good coconut oil products. I notice there are definitely differences between sources. Sorry my resources page isn’t working for you. I’m not sure why, but occasionally it just doesn’t work at all for someone!
I just whipped up (no pun intended!) a batch and although mine is more a lotion consistency (probably related to heat), I still love it! I used 1 cup coconut oil and 1tsp sweet almond oil (didn’t have vitamin E). Next time, I’ll try whipping it on top of a bowl of ice!
This looks amazing and I have to try it. Coconut oil also made my hair shine like crazy. Just be warned if you put to much you’ll dripping all day.
Quick tip: I used to keep my coconut oil in the winter by placing it near the radiator. It usually stayed liquid during the fall and spring months by placing it in front of the window (the glass acts almost like a magnifying glass like the old magnifying glass on a leaf trick).
Great suggestions for using coconut oil in the wintertime!
I just tried this using 3 different mixers and my liquid extra virgin coconut oil did not whip up. Please help! I really want to make this. Thanks! -Aimee
Sounds like it was getting too warm. Anything near or above 76 degrees F will prevent it from whipping.
I’m curious to know if this method works with all oils including olive and jojoba.
Because they are liquid, these oils aren’t likely to whip up unless they are first blended with more solid fats like coconut oil, shea butter or cocoa butter.
Thank you for this! I have used coconut oil for a few years now for my eczema. It helps to heal my skin and is the only thing that doesn’t leave that heavy and irritating feeling after. I had the same problem of my coconut oil either being melted completely in the summer or hard as a rock in the cool months and needing to be scrapped out with finger nails…. kind of ruins that pampering feeling. I just whipped up a batch and was thrilled to see how nice and light it turned out! Scooped it into a cute little mason jar and can’t wait to start using it on a regular basis. I used a small amount of vitamin E oil (my skin needs as much nourishment as possible) and some vanilla extract and the smell is heavenly!
Thanks for the post!
great recipe. be sure to use a popsicle stick or small spoon to dish it out, as the bacteria on your fingers will eventually deteriorate the oils.
Good tip! Thanks for sharing.
Hi, I tried this recipe for the coconut body butter recipe in my kitchen aid mixer yesterday. I ran into some problems though.. I beat the ingredients like suggested, but it wouldn’t set up. I watched some you tube videos and saw them put the mixing bowl with the ingredients in the freezer for 20 mins. this worked and It finally whipped up. I also added 1 Tbsp. of cornstarch as one of the videos indicated. I am storing it in the refrigerator because when I take it out for any length of time it returns to oil form. Any suggestions? It is also just like baby oil when applied, was this your result as well?
Glad to hear the freezer method worked for you! If your home is warmer than 76 degrees F, then the whipped coconut oil will melt back into liquid oil. I do find coconut oil to be oily when applied if I use too much. I use very little–usually on damp skin after a shower–and this seems to prevent greasiness.
Where can you buy the coconut oil from?
I get mine from Tropical Traditions. They are an awesome company!
I use Wilderness Family Naturals, because I prefer refined coconut oil and their refining process is one of the best.
Great! I was having the same issue with my hard coconut oil. Do you think it would still whip with my ingredients for my homemade toothpaste( baking soda, peppermint oil, coconut oil, and xylitol) Because my toothpaste has been rock hard since the cold moved in.
I believe it should work for toothpaste as well. Let me know if you try it out!
Maybe one should put the metal kitchen aid metal bowl and beater in the fridge to get cold before you whip the coconut oil? Would love to try this for my hubbies chronic eczema. Will put a little tea tree oil in it. Thanks for the recipe! I just started using coconut oil for cooking.
Excellent idea! I think a few readers have tried something similar to this, and it worked wonderfully.
Not only is it good for your skin, it’s great for your hair & nails
Absolutely, Lala!
What type of coconut oil do you use?
I use Wilderness Family Naturals refined coconut oil.
And also, how exactly do you use it?
I use it in place of other oils/spreads in cooking and baking. I also use it for my hair and skin for moisture.
Thank you so much for this recipe. My daughter and I had fun while making the bodu butter. I never realized all of the uses coconut oil had.
So glad you guys enjoyed it! Coconut oil really is amazing.
Have you tried this for stretch marks, particularly for preventing them? I’m pregnant and looking for a good moisturizer. Also, I am wondering if you know if it is safe to use during pregnancy. I’ll ask my doctor, but I’d love your thoughts. Thanks!
Obviously I’m not a doctor and can’t give medical advice.
However, in my personal opinion, there couldn’t be a moisturizer safer than coconut oil–it’s food after all! Considering your skin absorbs a great deal of what you put on it, avoiding commercial moisturizing products can definitely have its benefits.
I don’t have any experience with using coconut oil to prevent stretch marks. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn about coconut oil and real food until I’d already had my two children. Too bad, because I definitely got my share of stretch marks during my pregnancies!
That’s actually when I first started using it. I had a 9 1/2 lb baby and didn’t get a single new stretch mark. Then after you have the baby, coconut oil is great for preventing diaper rash.
Thank you for this. My local Costco just started carrying big containers I’m so excited to give this a try.
Hi,
Wondering how much 1 cup of coconut oil whips up to being? I want to make this as a gift, but I don’t want to go too crazy and end up with too much.
Thanks!
I would estimate an increase of about 50%. So 8 oz of coconut oil turns into roughly 12 oz once whipped.
I have some Monoi de Tahiti coconut oil, which is just a coconut oil infused with Gardenia flowers. It smells heavenly! I’m going to use it to make some now. Thanks for the information.
I’m 71 and have been using organic coconut oil after my showers which has helped my crepey skin greatly! Also mix it with lavender oil and Vit E oil plus crushed magnesium tablets and apply to my husband’s feet which has helped his restless legs at night.
Great idea for restless legs!
Coconut oil has so many amazing benefits for your health and your skin. I am so in love with the results that I have received, that I am now selling my body butter in a store. The fat in the coconut oil can also help repair damaged skin cells as well. I first started using it for my stretch marks and after only a week, my stretch marks had already faded so much. You can also use it as a face scrub. Just mix one melted tsp with equal parts of baking soda and use as a mild face scrub. Watch those wrinkles start melting away after consistent use. The coconut oil acts as a moisturizer and absorbs into your skin after about 10 mins or so.
Just tried this sand it feels wonderful ! Thank you so much!
Can you do this with any other oil? I have terribly dry skin and would love to try something like this, but I’m deathly allergic to everything coconut, to the point where the smell makes my throat close.
Yes, you can whip other oils that are solid at room temperature, like shea butter or cocoa butter.
does this recipe work with fractionated coconut oil (by doTerra, it doesn’t get hard, stays in liquid form) I so want to do this!!!! I love my oils!!
No, liquid oils won’t whip on their own.
Do you think if I melt some cocoa butter and add it while whipping the coconut oil it will help the temperature stability since cocoa butter is hard?
Yes, it definitely will! Mixing the coconut oil with shea or cocoa butter will raise its melting point and keep it more solid when its warm.
I love this idea! But when I whipped it in my kitchenaid it didn’t get the consistency yours did…mine was more of a thick soup like…any tips? I whipped it on high for about 7-10 min. Thanks so much!
It sounds like it is a little too warm. Some readers have found that refrigerating the coconut oil first can help with that.
mine was soupy too…do I need to re-attempt? put soupy oil in the fridge and then reblend after some time? or will it still be okay soupy?
It should work if you refrigerate it and try again.
Hi, I wanted to ask what would whiping it do? If you put it back in the fridge doesn’t it harden up and you’re back at square one?
Sorry if this is an obvious one…I’m new to coconut oil, please don’t be harsh
Whipping aerates the coconut oil and adds tiny air pockets, which tends to make it a little more stable in cooler temperatures. Whipped coconut oil still tends to harden in very cold temperatures, but not as much as it does if you don’t whip it. It definitely makes it more spreadable and easy to get out of the container.
how do you get the solid coconut oil out of the jar and mixed? Do I melt it and then whip?
That’s a great question! The coconut oil has to be solid in order to whip it up (it won’t whip as a liquid). If it’s too hard to get out of the jar, I suggest warming it up enough to get it out of the container. Then, put it in the mixing bowl and refrigerate until it’s solid enough to whip.
I had to melt most of my coconut oil to even get it out of the jar. I started trying to whip it, but found out after a few minutes of frustration that liquid won’t whip. Can I put it in the fridge to harden a bit and then try whipping again or am I screwed?
Don’t worry, it should work if you harden it back up in the fridge and try again.
I’m working on “whipping” up the coconut oil and essential oil and it’s not getting a whipped texture. Am I doing something wrong??
Most likely it is too warm. It might help to refrigerate it in the mixing bowl first.
So I made this lotion but did not realize it hardens and I put it in squeeze bottles as gifts, I guess I should use jars instead? And also is there a way to make it softer?
Jars are definitely a must. Whipping keeps it aerated so it is a little more spreadable, but it definitely does not maintain a lotion consistency. You can make lotion with coconut oil, but it’s a little more complex and I’ve yet to try that myself.
I just tried it – added a little shea butter and jojoba oil as I was whipping the coconut oil and put it in jars (didn’t have any squeeze bottles) – I’ll try to remember to update in a few weeks to let you know if it solidified again. The shea left an amazing lasting feeling on the skin!!
Let me know how it works out over the next few weeks!
so it did harden a little – but not to the same extent as the whipped coconut oil by itself. I think that the jojoba and shea help it stay a bit more pliable. I gave some of it away as Cmas presents and even people who didn’t get some were asking for a jar!
Cool! I’ll have to try that next time. It’s getting pretty cold here in Alabama, and my coconut oil could use a softer texture!
Humangear (I don’t sell them, I promise!) makes wonderful, reusable squeeze tubes. I whipped some coconut oil and stored it in these containers, and even though it’s winter here in MN, it hasn’t yet been too hard to squeeze some out! Here’s a link to their page: http://www.humangear.com/
It whips up pretty good with just a hand mixer if you don’t have a kitchen aid mixer. I LOVE THIS STUFF! Also I replaced vegetable oil with whipped coconut oil in a carrot cake recipe and it was YUMMY!!! Thank You!
Glad you enjoyed it! I love coconut oil for baking, it makes everything taste amazing.
I JUST made a little mason jar of this and it is absolutely divine. I wanted to test it out before giving some away for Christmas gifts, so I didn’t use any essential oils yet. The coconut oil goes on and soaks in well, but definitely has a strong scent. I am so excited to make these for friends and family this week…with essential oil of course!
Thank you for a fantastic recipe!!
So glad you enjoyed it! Adding essential oils is such a fun way to personalize it. Lemongrass has been my latest favorite.
Help! when I put mine into the glass jar it started to liquify. When you put it on your skin is it suppose to start to liquify? What did I do wrong?
It will liquify if it’s too warm, and it will melt on the skin because of your body heat.
Hello, I made this today and it worked really well. I substituted grape seed oil for the vitamin e and made two batched and put it in 1/2 pint mason jars for gifts. I used orange and lemon essential oils – smells and feels divine. Thanks for the recipe, so many others on the web call to add Shea butter which I would love to try sometime but this was quick, easy, and affordable
Love this!!! Gave me ideas for my christmas presents:)
I love it too and never thought of whipping it to make it easier to apply. Thanks for the tip. I have used it for making popcorn on the stove and in my baking as well. I love smelling like a coconut cream pie!!!
Glad you enjoyed it! I love using coconut oil so many things, too. It’s so incredibly versatile!
Loving this! Tried it for the first time today, I love it, but still gonna do some tweaking for the next batch.
I’m thinking: Coconut oil, vit E, strong coffee (skin firming and cellulite killer), and maybe sweet almond oil? Any thoughts?
Making coconut oil part of my life is a big thing for my New Years resolutions. Tried conditioner first, loved it. Then adding it to food, even better. And now I’m venturing into skin care!
So glad you liked it! Liquid coffee will not mix with coconut oil as far as I know. However, coffee grounds with coconut oil make an excellent cellulite scrub.
Just made some with green tea for my face, came together really nicely! I used: a teaspoon of spearmint green tea (squeezed from the bag), half a teaspoon of honey and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Took a lil longer to mix, but has stayed together.
If I can make one that smells like chai tea, I’ll need a warehouse of coconut oil with how much I’ll use it!
Green tea is a great addition! I wasn’t sure if any amount of liquid would work, but maybe whipping has even more advantages than I realized! I will have to do some more experimenting…
I’m sure you’ll come up with something spectacular!
Since using coconut oil on my skin/hair, I have a lot less redness in my cheeks and no darkness around my eyes. My hair is much softer, and looks darker for some reason? I’m gonna have to get some sun this summer, pale as a ghost now!
Where does one buy coconut oil? Thank you.
You can usually find it locally, especially at health food or vitamin stores. Buying in bulk online can save you a bundle (especially if you use it a lot like my family!). My trusted brands are here: http://villagegreennetwork.com/marketplace/fats-oils-coconut-products?affid=123297\” target=\”_blank\”
I live in Canada, where winters are long and summers are short. I cannot thank you enjoy for writing this! Made coconut oil application so much easier and I don’t have to dig it into the tub with my spoon!!
You’re welcome, Rach! It definitely helps to have it whipped up in these cold winter months.
I just tried this and had no luck whipping it up. Any tricks to it? My oil was melted down because I had just used it for my hair, does it need to be solid before whipping?
It does have to be solid, and it needs to stay cool enough not to melt while it’s whipped. Otherwise, it’s a no go.
OH MY GOSH! I have so many questions. I have read through some comments so I don’t ask a question already answered, so please forgive me if I do ask a repeat question! I am new at learning about the virtues of coconut oil.
Questions: 1) When you use it on your hair, do you just rinse it out like a regular conditioner or do you shampoo it out?
2) When you use it for a moisturizer on your face, do you leave it on, or rinse it off? Seems strange to put oil on my face, feel as if I will break out like crazy!
3) Also saw someone uses CO mixed with baking soda for a scrub, in this case do you rinse it off, wash it off, or leave it alone?
4) When cooking/baking with CO, do you use the same measurements? Also, does CO “replace” shortening (Crisco) in recipes, or just use CO for some things such as baking, but not use to fry or saute meat or whatnot?
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for your help and to all of the readers with their recipes and suggestions as well!! Anxious to learn more!
Hi Myra, great questions! I’ll answer them in order:
1) It depends on your hair type and how much oil you use. Most people massage the oil into their hair, wait 30-60 min, then shampoo it out. Those with dry hair might add a tiny bit back into their hair after showering.
2) I leave it on my face like a regular moisturizer. A very light layer does the job and doesn’t cause break-outs for me (which is cool–my skin is acne-prone).
3) Coconut oil and baking soda should be rinsed off (or washed off) completely–do whatever feels more natural to you. An acidic toner (like diluted lemon juice or apple cider vinegar) should be used afterward to bring pH balance back to the skin.
4) Coconut oil replaces other oils/fats/shortenings equally. It’s great to fry, bake, saute, etc. I fry chicken tenders in it! Delicious.
And you’re welcome, so glad you’re enjoying the blog!
do you get one 8 oz jar or 2 from whipping the coconut? How many one pint jars did you get from this?
To be honest, I didn’t measure (I’m terrible about that!). However, it does increase roughly by 50%, so 8 oz of coconut oil would make about 12 oz after it’s whipped up really good.
Thank you so much for this post, I’ve been looking for a recipe just like this.
Glad you liked it, Misty!
I started using this mixture about 2 weeks ago. I love it! I didn’t use the essential oil though. I’m using this on my face as well as body. I’m also doing this routine I found on Pinterest on my face with this oil as my moisturizer. Great results so far. http://voices.yahoo.com/the-end-acne-finally-1031935.html?cat=69
That’s a great regimen! I wash my face with honey, but I hadn’t thought of using oatmeal as well. I’ll have to try it out.
I have “winter skin” which i hate. I put lotion on at least 5-8 times a day. Then my hands burn from it. I love 1 ingredient !
I know what you mean! Sometimes conventional lotions (even the “natural” ones) have additives that harm more than the good ingredients help. It’s always a blessing to find something natural that works!
Instead of using vitamin e oil. Can i just use my actual vitamin e? pop it and put it into the mixture? Excited to try this. I just cant picture it getting so thick and whipped up like that with no other ingredients! Interested to try. Thanks for the post!!
Yes, the oil in the vitamin E capsules should work as well. Glad you enjoyed the post and let me know how yours turns out!
Mine is very oily. Dont like it
You may get better results using less, or mixing it with another moisturizer that you like. You can also try whipping shea butter with coconut oil for a different texture.
i just made this! and i love it. i made a small batch to test out first, just coconut oil and vitamin E oil. I’m thinking about throwing in some new stuff on the next batch to experiment a bit, maybe some jojoba oil for extra moisturizing benefits? and i would LOVE to mix in some vanilla scent …coconut-vanilla body butter?!?! heavenly.
one question for people who have tried this…is it super oily on the skin or does it absorb fairly quickly? i mean I just put it on (and kinda layered it up, i used the extra in the bowl/whisker so i wouldn’t waste any!) but it is sort of sitting on my skin and pretty is greasy feeling. I don’t mind it right now but would be good to know if you’re putting it on before going out!
I’ve noticed that if you feel greasy, it means you can use a lot less. Coconut oil goes a long way if you massage just a little into the skin. Any time I’ve felt it was too greasy, I cut back on the amount I was using and it absorbed much more easily into my skin. As they say, less is more!
Thank you for this! I just read the post this morning and went into my kitchen and made it. So. Easy! I decided to add a few things because I don’t like the smell of coconut, I don’t have any vitamin E oil on hand, and I wanted to boost its skin-loving-ness. So I added a bit of raw, local honey, calendula oil, rosemary oil, vanilla oil, and lavender oil. And something else I did that I wouldn’t necessarily recommend – I added some baking soda. I knew it would make it feel gritty, but I’ve heard so many amazing things that baking soda does for your body, so I went for it! It’s not that bad.
Question: Do you find that it soaks into the skin easily, or does it leave you feeling greasy? I may have added too much oil….
Thanks again!
Hi! Why can i not access your resource page for coconut oil?
Occasionally some of our sponsors are temporarily unavailable on my Resources page. Sorry for the inconvenience!
About how many days does this stay good for?
I don’t know the exact shelf life, but coconut stays good almost indefinitely because of its fatty acid content. I imagine whipped coconut oil has a pretty long shelf life, too!
Hi! I just found your post on pinterest and I am very intrigued by coconut oil. Can you tell me where you buy yours? I am just not sure where to start looking for it.
I highly recommend checking out the marketplace page for great sources of high quality coconut oil: http://villagegreennetwork.com/marketplace/fats-oils-coconut-products?affid=123297\” target=\”_blank\”
I found mine at the health food store.
What a great idea! I get so aggravated trying to cook with coconut oil when I only need a small amount. I’m going to whip some for the kitchen counter AND for skin moisturizing. My husband and son LOVE coconut oil as a moisturizer. They put the hard oil into a plastic bowl and melt it by putting it on top of the fridge for a few hours. When it is totally liquid, it goes into a cool spot where it will solidify again. Then they just pop it out of the plastic bowl and it’s like a lotion bar. I don’t use it, though, because it feels too greasy. I think I’ll like the whipped coconut oil with some shea butter and EO!
Great ideas! Lotion bars are all the rage right now, and so easy to make.
Im not sure if I like this or not. I got the 76 degree coconut but I think my house is too warm. It dont want to set up pretty like yours. I think next time I will try the 92 degree. I like the way it feels and hydrates my skin but as soon as I touch it to get it out of my container it melts before I can get it out. Im sure its a heat issue as u have told others. Not giving up though. Next I will try the other.
Sorry you’ve had trouble making this work! Heat can definitely cause problems. Mixing it with shea butter or cocoa butter might also help since those melt at higher temps.
I tried whipping it and it never whipped, just mixed. It’s still very loose, like a liquid. Did I do something wrong?
If it’s liquid, then it’s probably too warm. It will only whip if it stays cool enough to remain solid. Some readers have had success with putting the coconut oil in a bowl and refrigerating it first.
Great natural Skincare recipe!
this person is using your material as her own for personal gain…..
http://www.listia.com/auction/8436314-diy-whipped-coconut-oil-body-butter
Thanks for the heads up, Jan. I will check it out.
I made this for the 1st time & added Bood orange essential oil but I find the oil smell is overpowered by the coconut smell. Am I doing something wrong. Otherwise love how it whipped into creaminess.
Glad you enjoyed the recipe! Using more essential oil might help–it’s something you have to play around with to find just the right touch.
Can any oil work instead of Vitamin E oil? Say Olive, caster or jojoba?
Yes, definitely. But vitamin E has specific healing properties, which is why I like to add it in. Adding a little olive oil will help keep the mix softer in the winter, though.
I love whipping coconut oil by itself in my kitchenaid and making enough at one time to have it at both homes. Its easy to keep in the fridge for hot summers and feels like heaven on my skin in the heat when applying it after a shower. You can add lavender, melaleuca, argan, marajuca oil or another all natural, organic oil that you love for anti-aging and softness. Adding a couple drops to coconut butter you plan on keeping in the fridge will also keep it from becoming to solid.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing.
This is a great recipe! I also used my KitchenAid and the coconut oil whipped up perfectly. It’s also way easier to use in this state. Thank you very much!
You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed it.
I made a small batch today. I used about a cup of CO out of the jar, put it in the Kitchen Aid mixer and it whipped up beautifully. It did almost double in size. I put it into 2 small Mason jars and cleaned the bowl and whisk, putting that on my face to remove my make up and then slathered the rest on my face, elbows, and hands. It is amazing! What a great post. Thank you.
You’re welcome, so glad you’ve been having fun with this recipe!
Been using cocnut oil for 2 months now and it has totally changed my skin i had a lot of sun damage and i have almost an even complection now I use it 2times daily and the fine lines and wrinkles are gone i didnt have this success with retinol.i have always uesed store products and was very sceptical a natural product would work the trick u have to use it everyday and i started taking it a spoonful aday and have dropped 23 pds .I’m a believer in the cococnut oil now. i bought the walmart kind 10.00 virgin coconut oil.Oh and a lip plumper u want believe..
Wow, what a coconut oil testimonial! Thanks for sharing!
Wow this is so easy to do… Since expecting with child number 2 nothing is working. I am tired of buying lotion that doesn’t work! I am going to make a bunch (no vitamin E since it’s not in the house) Thanks!
I’m not sure if I bought the same product that you have. My Coconut Oil is hard like candle wax. I can’t imagine putting this hard block in my Kitchen Aid and it actually turning out like the picture. Help me understand the process.
Thank you in advance,
Sue
The whipping naturally warms and softens the coconut oil. My coconut oil is quite hard in the winter months. I spoon it into the mixer in hard chunks, and it comes out just fine.
Thank you so much for this great tutorial!! My hands are often so dry and I cannot wait to make a batch of this! I have included this post in my Sunday Shares post for useful sites at http://www.doomestic.com Thanks again!!
Thanks for the share! So glad you liked the recipe.
I made a batch of this last night…but I CANNOT stand the smell of the coconut oil!!! It is way too strong, so I was wondering how many drops of essential oil I should put in (and any scent suggestions would be great too) to mask the smell of the coconut oil without turning into an oily mess! Thanks!
@Katie D: You can actually buy RBD Coconut Oil (Refined, Bleached, Deoderized) from various online soapmaking suppliers – there’s no smell to it whatsoever.
Ok, thank you Sandy! I’ll keep that in mind for next time, but is there anything I can do for the batch I already made? I’d rather not throw it out and waste it!
To be honest, I use refined coconut oil so there’s no scent to cover up. I think it can handle quite a few drops of essential oil before it would tamper with the consistency, though.
I just love making whipped extra virgin coconut oil body butter – not just for myself, but family and friends are crazy about it, too.
When I make a big batch during Winter, I warm it slightly over a water bath to soften it, then add up to 50% liquid oil/s like Shea Oil, Olive Oil, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Rice Bran Oil, etc, or a combination of different oils – whatever you’ve got on hand.
I might add a squirt of Vitamin E in case I’m adding any liquid oils with a shorter shelf life, just to help delay potential rancidity – not something I’ve come across in Winter, though.
I whip it savagely for several minutes with a simple electric hand beater, then put it in the freezer for a couple (just a couple!) minutes at a time to help it thicken, then whip savagely again – rinse, repeat. I usually push my luck and repeat the process for anything up to half an hour or more, depending on the weather, until it’s oh-so-light, white and fluffy that it makes me want to just swim in it.
Yes, the coconut oil whines, whimpers and begs to be allowed to retreat back to its rock hard state, but, for the ‘coconut oil battle weary’, I’ve found that adding up to 50% (perhaps more if you live somewhere like Alaska – experiment to find what works for you!) of liquid oils to the mix, makes coconut oil feel like it’s wrapped in warm blankets – they help coax it into relaxing and remaining softer and more pliable
Good tips! I think adding extra liquid oil is a great idea for keeping it soft during the coldest winter months (especially if you keep the heat low during the winter).
Do you have a problem with the oil residue remaining on clothings, sheets, etc? I use straight up pure (as in, home made) coconut oil for my son’s eczema (it works wonders to prevent it) but I find that no matter how well I wash his sheets and pjs, they eventually start smelling like the oil, and eventually the smell becomes a rancid smell. it is so bad that I’m going to have to get rid of one of his shirts that it absolutely will NOT wash out of.
There are no stains, and those would not bother me. But the rancid smell is really unbearable! (the oil itself is totally fresh and lovely, don’t get me wrong!)
Hmm, I haven’t had a problem with this. I’ve used it on my skin for several weeks at a time and never noticed a smell build up on my clothes (then again, I do mostly use refined coconut oil, so I wonder if that makes a difference).
I am going to try this recipe soon and wanted to know How much this recipe made?
It makes roughly 1 1/2 cups total.
[...] using Pinterest, I’ve also made my own whipped body butter lotion using plain ole coconut oil. I love the way my skin feels because of [...]
I haven’t used coconut oil on my skin yet and I’m very curious about it. I have been breaking out (I’m 33), probably due to my new passion for working out and I tend to have combination/oily skin and it just feels weird to think that coconut oil will work on my face? Reading through some of the comments it seems this is the case, but I’m curious if it really clears up breakouts on people that tend to have oily skin already? Also, my son has eczema on his cheeks, outer arms, and outer legs and I’m wondering if this would help as well?
[...] hard (if you’re not living in the tropics) and you need a jackhammer to get it out. I stumbled on this great solution. Luckily this is also the best way to get some delicious fragrance and essential [...]
[...] This is the recipe I used: Homemade Whipped Coconut Body Butter [...]
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I tried it and it worked perfect…I did put my in fridge for a couple hours 1st. I added some to a bowl with a little bit of olive oil and whipped away. It came out creamy and luscious..one question I read somewhere about adding beeswax to it and that would help keep it from melting. do you know how much I should add to 8 ou..??
Good question! I’m no expert on beeswax, but I think a 1:4 ratio of beeswax to oil is pretty common for recipes like these. I do believe you might have to melt it with some oil to mix it first, but again, this isn’t my area of expertise.
[...] Whipped Coconut Body Butter by LivingTheNourishedLife.com [...]
I love coconut oil for my homemade lotion bars!! Feels amazing and works great for my ecxema prone skin
I have to try this recipe. I recently purchased Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter and fell in love with the scent. Unfortunately, my daughter and I went through it in less than a week. I will try this and play around with EOs. Thanks for the post.
Thank you for sharing your recipe. My warm Texas home couldn’t quite create the airy texture you obtained, but my end results were still pretty awesome. I have been blogging about all my Pinterest experiences and this was my 206th pin to do. I shared your link and you can see the post here:
http://lizspinspiration.blogspot.com/2013/05/pin-206-whipped-body-butter.html
Awesome! In your warm climate, cocoa or shea butter might whip up better. I’ve been experimenting with a mixture of coconut oil and cocoa butter that is a little more heat stable this time of year.
Have you ever tried adding Shea butter or cocoa butter? I love this recipe for nighttime use but I find it a little too oily for day. I am trying to determine how much to much too add. Thanks
Yes, I’ve used cocoa butter and just posted the recipe here: http://www.livingthenourishedlife.com/2013/05/mint-chocolate-whipped-body-butter
[...] It doesn’t melt too easily. The biggest problem with whipped coconut oil is that it melts at temperatures above 76 degrees Fahrenheit. This recipe takes advantage of the [...]
[...] Homemade Whipped Coconut Oil Body Butter Recipe [...]
[...] whipped coconut oil lotion recipe looks divine and so easy to [...]
What is the yield on this recipe? I’d love to make it as a shower gift, but I need to make 30 small jars.
Thanks!
This recipe yields about 1 1/2 cups.
[...] I did have great success with whipped coconut oil for body butter! I keep a jar of it in the bathroom and lather up after a shower. It’s awesome!!! Pop over to The Nurished Life and check it out. [...]
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I made this and it looks great. I’m putting it in the fridge to solidify it a bit. I wanted to make sure I understand, should this be applied to damp skin only? It seems very oily. Maybe it will be more lotion/butter like after solidifying?
You can apply at any time, I personally find it absorbs better after a hot shower or bath, and my skin is still a little damp. It will always have somewhat of an oily texture, though.
This looks very easy to make. Will Give it a try. Can i also use this for my baby( almost 2 yrs now)? I also know not all essential oils are suitable for kids. Any suggestion of baby friendly essential oil will be welcome.
I’m not sure, using plain coconut oil is probably the safest bet for little ones.
Hello! Where do you buy your glass jars for this recipe? Do you buy the Radiant Life Coconut Oil off of the village green network’s website? Thank you!
I just use leftover glass jars from coconut oil or raw honey, etc. You can also use mason jars. I’ve used a lot of brands of coconut, and most are pretty good. Radiant Life definitely has good quality oil.
[...] Recipe from here [...]