Using Vegetable Butters in Soaps, Skin Care, and Hair Care Products

Rich, creamy Vegetable Butters can add intense moisture to almost any kind of skin or hair care formulation. They can even be added to handmade soaps to increase their conditioning benefits. But which Butter should you choose for your next recipe? Our Quick Guide to Vegetable Butters will help you select the best Butter for your formulation in a snap!

Vegetable Butter Profiles

Aloe Vera Butter

• Coconut Oil fraction with Aloe Extract
• Soft texture at room temperature
• Melts on skin contact
• Soothing and moisturizing
• Light, non-greasy slip

Cocoa Butter

• Characteristic aroma that is rich and chocolaty
• colorless
• Medium to heavy slip with long-lasting conditioning
• Very stable with a shelf life of 2 – 4 years
• Antioxidant Rich
• Very hard at room temperature

Mango Butter

• Light, non-greasy slip
• Medium firmness at room temperature
• Emollient, soothing, regenerative
• Mild, characteristic aroma (sweet and acidic)
• May crystallize and should be tempered before use

Shea Butter

• Rich in vitamins A and E
• Highly moisturizing
• Medium firmness at room temperature
• May offer limited sun protection
• Mild characteristic aroma (nutty and acidic)
• May crystallize and should be tempered before use

Vegetable Butters by Formulation Type

Best Butters for Hair Care

• Aloe Vera Butter
• Mango Butter

Best Butters for Whipped Body Butters

• Mango Butter
• Shea Butter
• Cocoa Butter

Best Butters for Scrubs

• Aloe Vera Butter
• Shea Butter

Naturally Aromatic Butters

• Cocoa Butter

How Butters Behave in Cold Processed Soaps

• Aloe Vera Butter: Very Hard, High Lather
• Cocoa Butter: Very Hard, Very Creamy, Low Lather
• Mango Butter: Medium Hardness, Moisturizing, Low Lather
• Shea Butter: Medium-High Hardness, Very Conditioning, Very Creamy

Solid Oils that Can Be Used Like Vegetable Butter

• Coconut Oil, 75 Degree
• Palm Oil