homemade butter vs homemade lotion..need clarification

[dex_millie]

I use to say we made our own lotion but after reading this site I am thinking we make our own body "butter"?

We use shea butter, castor oil, olive oil and a little essential oils(DH is the one that makes it).

I was also reading that lotions can spoil and get fungus, bacteria and other things. What about our homemade butter? We have been doing it for years, sometimes using different methods, but shea butter is always the main ingrediant and what ever nice oils we have around the house.

Can our butter have all those fungus, bacteria, ect.. and we not know it?

[edensong]

The difference between lotions and body butters is water, so your mixture is a body butter.  Yes, body butters can get "icky" by the introduction of dirty hands or water.  Best to wash and dry hands thoroughly before use and also use within 6 months.

Research the properties of your ingredients to enhance with those that have antimicrobial properties to help keep the "ickies" away.  :)