
Basic Body Butter Formula
Creamy Dream Emulsified Body Butter
If you love the rich, nourishing feel of body butter but don’t enjoy the greasy residue, this Creamy Dream Emulsified Body Butter is the perfect solution! Unlike traditional anhydrous body butters, this formula includes water and an emulsifier, giving it a lighter, creamier, and fast-absorbing texture while still delivering deep hydration.
This easy-to-follow recipe is designed for beginners who want to create a professional-quality body butter with a silky, non-greasy finish. Using simple ingredients like mango butter, caprylic/capric triglycerides, and BTMS-50, this formula blends beautifully, spreads effortlessly, and leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished all day.
In this article:
Creamy Dream Emulsified Body Butter
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Set Up
In the First Beaker (Water Phase – Phase A):
In the Second Beaker (Oil Phase – Phase B):
Step 2: Heat Phase A and Phase B Separately
Step 3: Blend the Phases Together
Step 4: Add the Preservative (Cool-Down Phase C)
The Ingredients
✔ Distilled Water (Up to 100%) – The base of the formulation, water provides hydration and helps create a lighter, creamy texture rather than a thick, greasy butter. Always use distilled water to ensure purity and stability.
✔ Glycerin (3%) – A powerful humectant that draws moisture into the skin, keeping it soft and hydrated. Glycerin helps prevent dryness and improves the overall feel of the body butter.
✔ BTMS-50 (6%) – This is a conditioning emulsifier, meaning it helps blend the water and oil phases while also leaving a silky, non-greasy finish on the skin. Unlike regular emulsifiers, BTMS-50 has a built-in conditioning effect, making this body butter feel luxurious and smooth.
✔ Cetyl Alcohol (3%) – A fatty alcohol that acts as a thickener and stabilizer, giving the body butter a soft, velvety texture. It also enhances spreadability, making the butter glide effortlessly onto the skin.
✔ Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (10%) – A lightweight emollient derived from coconut oil. It improves absorption, helping the butter sink into the skin quickly without a heavy, greasy feel.
✔ Mango Butter (15%) – A rich, nourishing butter that melts beautifully into the skin, providing deep hydration. Unlike shea or cocoa butter, mango butter has a lighter, non-greasy texture, making it perfect for an emulsified body butter.
✔ Liquid Germall Plus (0.5%) – A broad-spectrum preservative that prevents bacteria, mold, and yeast from growing in your formulation. Since this body butter contains water, a preservative is essential for safety and shelf life.
The Formula

What You’ll Need
Before we dive into making your emulsified body butter, let’s gather everything you’ll need. Having the right tools and setup will make the process smooth and enjoyable!
🛠 Equipment & Tools
✔ Two heat-safe beakers – One for the water phase and one for the oil phase. Glass or stainless steel is best.
✔ A digital scale – Precision is key in formulation! Always measure by weight, not volume.
✔ A thermometer – Ensures both phases reach the correct temperature (at least 156°F / 69°C).
✔ An immersion blender – Essential for creating a stable emulsion. A small stick blender works best.
✔ A spatula or whisk – Helps mix ingredients and scrape the beakers clean.
✔ A double boiler or hot water bath – Used to gently heat both phases. A saucepan with a few inches of water works well.
✔ Sanitized storage jars or containers – For storing your finished body butter. Glass or PET plastic is ideal.
✔ Gloves & alcohol spray – For maintaining cleanliness and preventing contamination.
🧼 Prep & Sanitation
Before starting, sanitize all tools, beakers, and work surfaces with 70% isopropyl alcohol to ensure your formulation is safe and free from contamination.
Now that you have everything ready, let’s start making your emulsified body butter!
Basic Lotion Making Process
Before you start, measure out each ingredient using a digital scale for accuracy. Lotion formulations require precise measurements to ensure stability and consistency—avoid using volume measurements like teaspoons or cups.
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Set Up
In the First Beaker (Water Phase – Phase A):
Place a clean, heat-safe beaker on the scale and press the tare button to reset it to zero.
Measure each ingredient into the beaker, taring the scale in between each addition.
Stir gently with a spoon or spatula to dissolve the glycerin into the water.
Weigh the entire contents of this beaker and record this number—you’ll need it later to account for any evaporated water.
Set this beaker aside for heating.
In the Second Beaker (Oil Phase – Phase B):
Take another clean, heat-safe beaker and place it on the scale, taring it to zero.
Weigh out each oil phase ingredient, taring the scale between each one for precision.
Ensure that all solid ingredients (BTMS-50, cetyl alcohol, mango butter) are measured properly.
Now that both beakers are ready, it’s time to heat them separately.
Step 2: Heat Phase A and Phase B Separately
Place both beakers in a double boiler or hot water bath and heat until the temperature reaches at least 156°F (69°C).
Hold this temperature for 20 minutes to ensure proper emulsification and stability.
Stir occasionally and ensure that all solid ingredients in the oil phase are completely melted.
Check Temperatures:
✔ Use a thermometer to confirm that both phases are at the same temperature before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Blend the Phases Together
Reweigh the water phase and add back any lost water due to evaporation.The number you recorded earlier.
Slowly pour the oil phase (Beaker B) into the water phase (Beaker A) while continuously stirring.
Use an immersion blender or mini mixer to blend the mixture for 3-5 minutes until it turns creamy and slightly thickens.
Step 4: Add the Preservative (Cool-Down Phase C)
Allow the lotion to cool to 104°F (40°C) before adding the preservative.
Weigh and add 0.5% Liquid Germall Plus, then mix thoroughly to distribute it evenly.
Stir occasionally as the lotion continues to thicken.
Step 5: Bottle and Store Your Lotion
Let the lotion sit until it reaches room temperature (70°F / 21°C).
Transfer the lotion into a clean, sanitized bottle or jar using a spoon or pipette.
Label the container with the date and ingredients for easy tracking.
Final Tips for Success:
✔ If your lotion is too thin, let it sit for 24 hours—it will continue to thicken.
✔ Always work in a clean, sanitized environment to avoid contamination.
✔ Store your lotion in a cool, dry place and use within 6-12 months.
Now you have a beautifully crafted lotion—light, creamy, and beginner-friendly! Ready to start experimenting with customizations?
Ready to Ramp Up This Formula?
Now that you’ve learned how to make your beginner-friendly emulsified body butter, it’s time to get creative and customize! You can easily adjust ingredients or add new ones to make your body butter feel more luxurious, hydrating, or unique. Here are some substitutions and additions you can make to enhance your formula.
Distilled Water
Substitution:
Rose Water or Witch Hazel: Adds a subtle fragrance and soothing properties.
Herbal Infusions (e.g., Chamomile or Green Tea): Provides antioxidants for extra skin benefits.
Addition:
Aloe Vera Gel: Add up to 5% for extra cooling and calming effects.
Glycerin
Substitution:
Propylene Glycol: Lighter consistency for a non-greasy, smooth feel.
Butylene Glycol: Improves spreadability and enhances moisture retention.
Addition:
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): Add up to 2% for extra hydration and skin softness.
BTMS-50
Substitution:
Emulsifying Wax NF: Creates a thicker emulsion with a more stable, rich texture.
Polawax: Another emulsifier that ensures smooth blending and a creamy finish.
LotionPro 165 / Simulsol 165: These are excellent alternatives for creating a light, smooth emulsion with great skin feel.
Cetyl Alcohol
Substitution:
Stearic Acid: For a firmer lotion with a richer consistency.
Beeswax: Adds a natural, protective barrier but creates a waxier texture.
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides
Substitution:
Jojoba Oil: A more emollient alternative that provides moisture without greasiness.
Fractionated Coconut Oil: A lightweight option with a slightly faster absorption rate.
Squalane: Add 1-3% to improve moisture retention and give your formula a silky finish.
Mango Butter
Substitution:
Shea Butter: Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, ideal for deeply moisturizing the skin.
Cupuacu Butter: A highly emollient butter with a smoother, more luxurious texture.
Kokum Butter: Adds firmness to the lotion while providing skin-regenerating properties.
Liquid Germall Plus
Substitution:
Optiphen Plus: A preservative that’s paraben- and formaldehyde-free.
Leucidal Liquid: A natural preservative derived from radish root ferment.
Addition:
Vitamin E (Tocopherol): Add 1% for antioxidant protection and extended shelf life.
Essential Oils or Fragrance Oils
Lavender, Rose, or Eucalyptus: Add up to 1% for a soothing fragrance and added skin benefits.
Active Ingredients
Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, or CoQ10: Add for enhanced skin rejuvenation, moisture, and elasticity.
Colorants
Mica powder or natural colorants: For a beautiful, skin-safe touch of color.
With these substitutions and additions, you can easily create a customized body butter that suits your specific needs and personal preferences. Ready to experiment and make your formula truly unique? 🌱
Disclaimer:
We are not responsible for the products you create using our supplies. You alone are responsible for testing your products and formulas to ensure compatibility, safety, and proper use. Please conduct your own research and patch testing before distribution or sale.