DIY DELIGHTS: WHIP UP YOUR OWN BODY BUTTERS WITH THESE SIMPLE RECIPES

Have you ever looked at the back of your favorite skincare product and marveled at the list of ingredients, wishing you could personalize it a little more? Well, you’re in luck. Raw Shea butter, the wonder ingredient from Africa, is not just a fantastic moisturizer on its own, but also a versatile base for numerous DIY skincare recipes. From natural sunscreen to skincare solutions that support healthy aging, there’s a Shea butter recipe for everyone! Here are a few of our favorites:

Mix up a nourishing Shea butter wrinkle cream for healthy, radiant skin

We already know that raw Shea butter is a powerhouse moisturizer for your skin. When combined with Baobab oil, rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids known for promoting healthy tissue regeneration, and vitamin E, an antioxidant superstar, this Shea butter mixture can stop the time and help your skin stay healthy and radiant!

Ingredients:

  • Raw Shea butter: 2 tablespoons
  • Baobab oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Vitamin E oil: ½ teaspoon
  • Essential oil of your choice: few drops (optional)

Procedure:

  • Place all the ingredients in a glass jar.
  • Fill a pot with 4-5 inches of water and heat it to near boiling.
  • Place the jar, without the lid, into the pot and stir occasionally until all ingredients have melted and mixed.
  • Pour the mixture into a small glass jar and allow it to cool and harden in the fridge.

Voila! Store it in the room temperature and apply it every morning and night after washing your face.

Prepare to whip up a wonderfully simple yet incredibly luxurious DIY body butter cream without even melting your Shea butter!

Yes, you heard it right! No need to fuss over melting your Shea butter! The secret weapon? An immersion blender! This nifty kitchen gadget is your ticket to creating the most lavish whipped Shea butter – a genuine skincare revolution!

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You can keep it straightforward by using just two ingredients, or go the extra mile and personalize it with your favorites. One of my personal go-tos is carrot seed oil, not only for its SPF protection but also its skin-enhancing radiance.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to this skincare magic:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Raw Shea butter 🧈
  • Baobab oil: 1/4 cup

Procedure:

  • Place 1 cup of room temperature raw Shea butter into a bowl.
  • Add Baobab oil and your other favorites if you like.
  • With your immersion blender, whip the Shea butter until it transforms into a light, fluffy, and creamy masterpiece. Takes only a minute or two.

That’s it! Your DIY Whipped Shea butter body cream is now primed to pamper your skin.

And here’s a valuable tip: A little goes a long way with this ultra-moisturizing butter. 🌿

Safeguard Your Skin: DIY Shea Butter Sunscreen 

Although unrefined Shea butter has a natural SPF of 4-6,  it’s not strong enough to provide complete protection against harmful UV rays for everyone. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. By adding specific essential oils with higher SPF levels, you can boost the sun protection factor of your Shea butter.

Take a look at the SPF levels of these natural essential oils and ingredients:

  • Red Raspberry Seed Oil: SPF between 30 and 50
  • Carrot Seed Oil: SPF 30
  • Wheat Germ Oil: SPF 20
  • Hazelnut Oil: SPF 15
  • Coconut Oil: SPF 10
  • Soybean Oil: SPF 10
  • Macadamia Oil: SPF 6
  • Jojoba Oil: SPF 4
  • Rice Bran Oil: SPF 4
  • Sesame Oil, Hemp Oil, Avocado Oil, Peanut Oil: SPF between 4 and 10

Moreover, adding vitamin E not only gives your skin a nutritional boost, but it also helps protect against UV damage and making your sunscreen long-lasting.

Creating your Shea butter sunscreen is simple

Start with raw Shea butter as your base and mix in any of the above-mentioned ingredients according to your desired SPF level.

Ingredients:

  • Shea butter: Base
  • Essential oils of choice: For added SPF and fragrance
  • Vitamin E: To boost skin health and UV protection

Procedure:

  • Place your Shea butter in a bowl.
  • Whip it up with an immersion (stick) blender.
  • Mix in your selected essential oils, vitamin E, and mineral powders, if desired.
  • Stir until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

And just like that, your personalized, natural sunscreen is ready to safeguard your skin. Enjoy the sun safely with your homemade Shea butter sunscreen. Remember, as with all sunscreens, reapplication is key, especially after swimming or excessive sweating. It’s essential to ensure your skin stays protected and comfortable in the sun. Keep in mind that while homemade sunscreens offer natural protection, they may not be strong enough for all skin types, so be mindful of your skin’s needs. Now, go out and bask in the sun responsibly!

Soothing Relief: Shea butter sunburn cream

Sunburns can be painfully uncomfortable, but there’s a simple and soothing solution waiting in your kitchen – a Shea butter-based sunburn cream. This natural remedy offers respite from sunburn’s fiery sting and accelerates the healing process.

While Shea butter takes the lead in this recipe, the addition of aloe vera gel brings an extra layer of soothing relief. Organic rose water, while optional, is also a fantastic inclusion. It possesses the ability to calm the skin, diminish redness, and even act as an anti-aging agent, reducing the appearance of fine lines. In fact, you can easily craft your own rose water at home with guidance from the multitude of DIY tutorials available on YouTube.

Now, let’s create this soothing sunburn solution:

Ingredients:

  • Shea butter: 3 to 4 tablespoons
  • Aloe vera gel: 1 to 2 tablespoon
  • Organic rose water: 2 tablespoons (optional)

Procedure:

  • Start by gently warming the Shea butter in a double boiler. This softens it and makes it easier to blend with the other ingredients. Be cautious not to overheat the butter; it only needs to be soft enough for mixing.
  • In a medium-sized container, combine the softened Shea butter, aloe vera gel, and organic rose water if you opt for it.
  • Stir diligently until all the ingredients meld together seamlessly.

Voila! Your sunburn cream is ready to soothe. Simply apply this cooling mixture to sunburned skin for instant relief. It not only alleviates the discomfort of sunburn but also initiates the healing process. Keep in mind that sunburns indicate significant UV damage to your skin, so safeguarding and moisturizing it is crucial. This cream offers both effective sunburn relief and much-needed hydration.

Final Takeaways: 

As we wrap up, it’s clear that raw Shea butter is more than just an ingredient; it truly is a skincare superstar. With its exceptional hydrating, healing, and anti-aging properties, raw Shea butter has solidified its place as a key player in natural skincare. The best part? You don’t need to wait. You can try these easy homemade favorites right away! Keep in mind that the suggested amounts are just a starting point; you can adjust them to achieve your desired consistency. For instance, in Nordic countries, you might prefer a softer version, while in Ghana, where Shea butter naturally softens in the heat, your preferences may differ.

Ready to experience the benefits of Shea butter for yourself? Grab your Shea butter from the closest store for you from our LinkTree🌳

Want a peek behind the scenes? We invite you to watch a video of our cooperative in Northern Ghana. Witness the care and dedication that goes into every batch of our Shea butter. You can find the video on our Facebook or YouTube page.

If you’ve been using Shea butter, you might have noticed an oddity. Sometimes, it gets a crystal-like texture. This raises some questions. “Why is my Shea butter grainy?” “What causes it to turn grainy?” “Can I fix grainy Shea butter?” Let’s explore together. We’ll discover why this happens and how to resolve it.

Why is My Shea Butter Grainy?

The answer lies in the complex composition of Shea butter. Shea butter is made up of various fatty acids, each with its own melting point. When Shea butter is heated and then cools down slowly, the different fats can solidify at different rates, leading to a grainy texture. It’s important to note that graininess doesn’t indicate that your Shea butter has gone bad. It’s purely a textural change that can impact the feel of the product but doesn’t affect its beneficial properties.

What Makes Shea Butter Grainy?

Answering to your question takes us into the process of melting and cooling Shea butter. Graininess can often be attributed to rapid temperature changes. For example if you leave your Shea butter in a hot car,  or storing it in a warm bathroom, then moving it to a cooler environment. This can cause the fats to crystallize, leading to a grainy texture.

How to Fix Grainy Shea Butter?

If you find yourself wondering how to restore the smooth texture of your Shea butter: worry not! Here’s an easy method you can follow at home:

  • Melting: Melt your Shea butter in a double boiler until it’s completely liquid. Make sure not to overheat it, as this can degrade some of its beneficial properties.
  • Cooling: Once your Shea butter is fully melted, remove it from the heat source and let it cool down for a few minutes.
  • Quick Set: Place the slightly cooled, still liquid Shea butter in the fridge. This rapid cooling process will prevent the fatty acids from crystallizing separately, ensuring a smoother texture when it solidifies.

So, the next time you notice your Shea butter taking on a grainy texture, remember, it’s a completely natural occurrence due to its complex fatty acid composition! While it may alter the feel of your Shea butter, it doesn’t impact the wonderful nourishing benefits it provides to your skin. And with the method we shared above, you can swiftly restore your Shea butter’s creamy smoothness! 

Whether you’re seeking the finest raw Shea butter on Amazon or inquiring about Shea butter near me, a simple click here will set you on a journey of exploration and transformation!