It’s the newest trend – a body butter with shimmer. What is a shimmering body butter and what is the point of using one? Especially in the winter with dry skin that feels tight and looks a little chaffed.

Well, a body butter with shimmer adds another element of luxury giving the appearance of glowing youthful skin. Another benefit of using a body butter in the winter is to lock moisture in after bathing, benefiting from the look of dewy soft skin. Who doesn’t want dewy younger looking skin? I know I do!

So, read on to know what skin safe colorants are used to create an added glow and vibrancy in this luxurious body butter.

• Natural herb powders – definitely an all-natural alternative and one that I would recommend
  • Being a master gardener and herb grower for many years – five stars *****
• Mica powders – safe for eyes, lips, and skin normally used in soaps, bath bombs and other beauty and cosmetic products
  • Natural mined minerals = micas - recommend without FD&C colorants added
• Food coloring – used sparingly as this may stain the skin
• Bronzer – mica powders that vary in shades of bronze or gold
• Eco-Glitter – aluminum free and safe for the skin (not sure on this one…still need research)
  • Glitter is normally manufactured from the combination of aluminum and plastic
• Jojoba beads for color – these are used for exfoliating the skin (not recommended)

Since the body butter is slowly being absorbed into the skin using natural colorants is a good choice. The herbal powders and even cosmetically approved mineral micas would be preferred in making a shimming body butter.

What amount of mica powder is used for body butter?

Mica powders are recommended to color lotions and whipped body butters. If you want a light shimmer a little amount usually 1/16 of a teaspoon of mica to 16 ounces of lotion and adjust according to your preference. More is added for a super sparkling shimmering skin accent. (Say that 5 times fast.)

How do you use a shimmering body butter?

1. After showering, with dry hands scoop out a small amount of the body butter.
2. Apply gently by massaging it all over your body, also your elbows, knees and any other areas to add sparkle.
3. Let the body butter slowly absorb into your skin and you’re ready to go.

So, enjoy the fun way of using a body butter with shimmer this season. It might make you feel livelier this year.

It’s the sparkle in your eyes and the glow of your skin that makes a statement.