Why it Works

There is no magic secret as to why our massage butters are so effective. The answer is found in our careful preparation and formulation, and in our use of the highest quality natural ingredients.

At Little Golden Shepherd we stand by our promise to be upfront about what goes into our products, and to ensure that there is not an unnecessary ingredient to be found. Scroll through our full ingredient list to learn more about each botanical, butter, or oil, and why we include it in our massage butters.

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Shea butter

Shea butter is packed with fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Originating in Africa, Shea is renowned throughout the world for its anti-inflammatory and deeply moisturizing properties when applied topically. By adding it to our butters, we've created a product that not only delivers potent relief for a variety of ailments but is luxurious for the skin as well.


Found in: all LGS butters

Mango butter

Mango butter shares many of its key attributes with shea butter in that both are very moisturizing when applied topically, and are very soothing for skin irritation. Both are packed with beneficial fatty acids and vitamins, while mango butter surpasses shea with just how many antioxidants it contains. It's also been shown to have some antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which, in addition to benefitting your skin, allows for added protection in our products' shelf stability.

Found in: all LGS butters

Kokum butter

Like the other butters on our list, Kokum is deeply moisturizing, soothing, with anti-inflammatory properties. Where it stands out and stands apart is in its ability to be easily absorbed by the skin, without the risk of clogged pores. It's lightweight nature makes it a great solution for people with sensitive skin, and doesn't leave you feeling greasy after application. While we love everything about the way kokum butter serves your skin, we include it in our butters for its texture and structural stability. Kokum is very hard compared to the other butters and oils we use, which allows it to act as a natural emulsifier and hardener for our butters.

Found in: all LGS adult butters

Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is another moisturizing powerhouse. Packed full of fatty acids and vitamin E, cocoa butter is renowned for its anti-aging, antioxidant, skin soothing properties. Not only is it a great option for dry skin, and a wonderfully nourishing addition to our butters, but it smells like chocolate! This is one of the main reasons you'll find it in our Baby Butter, since we leave all the aromatic essential oils out of the mix on that one.

Found in: Baby Butter

Coconut oil

There is so much that can be said about coconut oil. It's deeply hydrating, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and soothes inflammation. An added benefit from our standpoint is the low melt point of coconut oil. Melting at a far lower temperature than our other base ingredients, coconut oil is one of the reasons LGS butters create such a luxurious oil in the palm of your hand, allowing it to be used for massage.

Found in: all LGS butters

Olive oil

Throughout the ages olive oil has been held in high regard for its many benefits when taken orally or applied topically. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, olive oil is also deeply healing and cleansing for the skin. Our favorite thing about olive oil here at Little Golden Shepherd(and why we use it as our primary carrier oil) is it's ability to quickly absorb through the skin, delivering all the benefits it carries deep into the body. As a carrier oil, we use olive oil to infuse our arnica (in the adult butters), and the herbal blend in Baby Butter- combining the characteristics of olive oil with those of the various botanicals for a quick and effective delivery through the skin.

Found in: all LGS butters

Arnica flowers

Documentation supporting the use of arnica as an herbal remedy has been around for at least 700 years, and it's still widely used as a primary solution to a number of ailments around the world today. Its usefulness in relieving bruises, sprains, muscle aches, joint pain, inflammation and swelling, ensured that it would find its way into the Little Golden Shepherd line. One of the key ingredients that make our adult butters so effective, we infuse organic dried arnica into organic extra virgin olive oil to speeds its absorption through the skin and into the body.

Found in: all LGS adult butters

Lavender flowers

Is there anything more soothing than the smell of lavender when you're needing to relax? Applied topically, lavender similarly soothes and calms the skin. While lavender essential oil is an ingredient in a number of our adult butters, organic dried lavender flowers are infused with olive oil in the herbal base of our Baby Butter. This gentle process of extracting the botanical benefits of lavender make it safe for the most delicate skin.

Found in: Baby Butter

Chamomile flowers

Another deeply soothing botanical, chamomile works as tonic for the skin just as it works as a tonic when consumed in tea. Chamomile contains powerful antioxidants which help regenerate and heal the skin, while reducing inflammation and irritation. Dried organic chamomile flowers are infused with olive to make up 1/4 of the herbal base of our Baby Butter, allowing for a massage experience that is as healing as it is relaxing.

Found in: Baby Butter

Calendula flowers

When it comes to infant care through the ages, calendula was one of mama's favorite botanicals. Known for its ability to heal wounds, soothe eczema, and relieve diaper rash, calendula is gentle, soothing, and full of antioxidants. By infusing dried organic calendula in our Baby Butter base, we've created a way for you to bring those benefits to your next infant massage session.

Found in: Baby Butter

Marshmallow root

Perfect for people with sensitive skin, marshmallow root is a gentle way to soothe redness, relieve inflammation, and help the skin retain moisture. Marshmallow root helps hydrate and plump the skin, which is why is serves as 1/4 of the botanical base of our Baby Butter. Because who doesn't love a plump baby.

Found in: Baby Butter

Arrowroot powder

Arrowroot powder is a skin-loving ingredient that relieves skin irritation, rashes, and sores. The primary reason you'll find it in Little Golden Shepherd massage butters is that it absorbs oil, allowing for a luxurious massage that won't leave you feeling greasy afterward.

Found in: all LGS butters

Peppermint essential oil

Known for its ability to ease headaches and migraines, as well as to soothe inflammation.

Found in: Nerve and Muscle Butter

Lavender essential oil

Another powerful agent against headaches and migraines, as well as inflammation, pain, and stress.

Found in: Nerve and Balance Butter

Rosemary essential oil

Rosemary is helpful against headaches, arthritis, muscular aches and pains, sprains, and arthritic pain.

Found in: Nerve and Joint Butter

Clove essential oil

Clove is a wonderful numbing oil, also useful for its antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.

Found in: Nerve and Muscle Butter

Pink pepper essential oil

Pink pepper is a soothing and warming botanical that elevates the mood while aiding in circulation.

Found in: Joint and Muscle Butter

Camphor essential oil

Camphor is an anti-inflammatory wonder that improves blood circulation, reduces pain, and acts as a muscle relaxant.

Found in: Muscle Butter

Frankincense essential oil

This renowned oil has no shortage of uses. Famous for its use in a variety of religious practices, frankincense calms the mind and aids in relieving inflammation and arthritis.

Found in: Joint Butter

Cedarwood essential oil

Cedarwood is known for its ability to ground the mind, providing a very calming effect, while providing powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.

Found in: Joint and Balance Butter

Clary sage essential oil

Clary sage is renowned for its sedative and mood-enhancing ability, as well as its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Found in: Balance Butter

Patchouli essential oil

Patchouli has been known to aid in the fight against depression, while boosting energy and fighting skin inflammation.

Found in: Balance Butter

Bergamot essential oil

Another powerful mood-booster, bergamot helps reduce stress, fight depression and relax the body.

Found in: Balance Butter

Sweet orange essential oil

Sweet orange essential oil is often used to enhance energy, while providing relief from anxiety and depression, and uplifting the mood.

Found in: Balance Butter