Vanilla Body Butter

50g (£8) and 200g (£22) | Recyclable PET jar

A rich, deeply nourishing botanical body butter handcrafted in West Wittering — one of the original Puremess products and still one of the most loved. Made with coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, beeswax, rosehip oil, and sea buckthorn, and scented with benzoin resin extract for a warm, naturally sweet vanilla-like fragrance. A tiny amount melts beautifully into skin, leaving it velvety-soft, thoroughly nourished, and wrapped in a comforting, addictive scent. Described by customers as simply magnificent — and we couldn't agree more.  We just love calling them Custards!

The body butter that started it all

Some products arrive fully formed. This is one of them — a formula that's been part of Puremess from the earliest days and has never needed changing, because it was right from the start.

The base is built around coconut oil and olive oil — two of the most deeply nourishing plant oils available, rich in fatty acids that closely mirror the skin's natural lipid profile and absorb readily into dry, thirsty skin. Shea butter adds a rich, conditioning layer naturally packed with oleic and stearic acids and naturally occurring vitamin E. Beeswax gives the butter its characteristic firm, scoopable texture and forms a breathable protective barrier on the skin's surface that locks in the nourishing oils and helps maintain the skin's natural moisture balance throughout the day.

Rosehip oil and sea buckthorn kernel extract are where this formula's botanical credentials really shine. Rosehip — cold-pressed from the seeds of the Rosa canina fruit — is one of the most nutrient-dense plant oils available, naturally rich in linoleic acid, beta-carotene, and a rare suite of carotenoids. Sea buckthorn kernel extract is one of the most antioxidant-rich botanicals used in natural skincare — naturally containing carotenoids, tocopherols, and the exceptionally rare omega-7 fatty acid palmitoleic acid. Together they give this body butter an extraordinary depth of botanical nourishment that standard moisturisers simply cannot match.

The scent comes from benzoin resin extract — steam-distilled from the resin of the Styrax tonkinensis tree. Benzoin has a warm, rich, naturally sweet character with distinctly vanilla-like qualities — comforting, familiar, and deeply indulgent. It's not synthetic vanilla fragrance; it's the real thing, from a plant resin that has been used in perfumery and skincare for centuries. The result is a body butter that smells genuinely beautiful — the kind of scent you'll find yourself reaching for every morning just for the pleasure of it.

What's in it — and why

• Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) — deeply nourishing; rich in fatty acids that absorb readily into dry skin
• Olive oil (Olea europaea) — rich in oleic acid and natural antioxidants; conditions and softens
• Beeswax (Cera alba) — gives the butter its firm, scoopable texture; forms a breathable protective barrier that locks in moisture
• Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii) — rich in oleic and stearic acids and naturally occurring vitamin E; deeply conditioning
• Rosehip oil (Rosa canina) — cold-pressed; naturally rich in linoleic acid, beta-carotene, and carotenoids; one of the most nutrient-dense plant oils available
• Sea buckthorn kernel extract (Hippophae rhamnoides) — extraordinarily antioxidant-rich; naturally contains carotenoids, tocopherols, and rare palmitoleic acid
• Benzoin resin extract (Styrax tonkinensis) — steam-distilled from natural resin; warm, sweet, vanilla-like scent; used in natural perfumery and skincare for centuries

Full INCI: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Kernel Extract, Styrax Tonkinensis (Benzoin) Resin Extract, Benzyl Cinnamate**, Benzyl Benzoate** **Naturally occurring in essential oils

How to use

Scoop a very small amount — a little genuinely goes a long way — and warm between your palms until it melts. Massage onto dry skin, paying particular attention to elbows, knees, and any rough or dry patches. Allow a few moments to absorb before dressing.

✨ Post-bath tip: Apply after a warm bath or shower while skin is still slightly damp for maximum absorption and that irresistible silky-smooth finish.

💡 Less is more: This is a concentrated formula — start with less than you think you need. A pea-sized amount is genuinely sufficient for most areas.

The Puremess Promise

✔️ Handcrafted in small batches in West Wittering, West Sussex ✔️ Free from synthetic fragrance, sulphates, parabens, palm oil, phthalates and silicones ✔️ Natural and cruelty-free ✔️ Available in 50g and 200g recyclable PET jars

Made with love, in West Wittering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this called a body butter rather than a body lotion? Body lotions are water-based emulsions — typically 70-80% water with a relatively low concentration of active oils and butters. This is a true body butter — no water, no emulsifiers, just a concentrated blend of botanical oils, butters, and beeswax. The result is a formula that's significantly more nourishing and longer-lasting than a standard lotion, and one that a very small amount goes a very long way. It feels richer on application but absorbs completely, leaving no greasy residue.

What is benzoin and does it really smell like vanilla? Benzoin is a resin extracted from the Styrax tonkinensis tree, native to Southeast Asia. Steam-distilled benzoin resin has a warm, rich, naturally sweet character that's distinctly reminiscent of vanilla — comforting, familiar, and genuinely beautiful. It's not synthetic vanilla fragrance; it's a natural plant resin that has been used in perfumery and traditional skincare for centuries. The scent is deeper and more complex than synthetic vanilla, and lingers on the skin in a way that feels genuinely luxurious.

How much should I use? Much less than you'd use of a standard body lotion. A pea-sized amount is sufficient for an arm; a hazelnut-sized amount for each leg. Warm it between your palms first to melt the beeswax and oils, making them easier to distribute evenly. If your skin feels greasy after applying, simply use less next time.

Is this suitable for dry or very dry skin? Yes — it's particularly well suited to dry, rough, or very dry skin. The combination of coconut oil, shea butter, rosehip, and sea buckthorn provides a depth of nourishment that lighter moisturisers struggle to match. For very dry areas like heels, elbows, or knees, apply a generous amount before bed and allow it to absorb overnight.

Is this product vegan? No — it contains beeswax, which gives the body butter its firm texture and protective barrier properties. It is suitable for vegetarians.

What's the difference between the 50g and 200g sizes? The 50g at £8 is perfect for travelling, trying for the first time, or keeping in a handbag. The 200g at £22 is the one for daily home use — and because a little goes such a long way, it will last considerably longer than you'd expect.