According to the American Shea Butter Institute, the moisturizers found in shea butter are the same as those produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. This makes shea butter an effective treatment for dry skin, and it's also gentle enough to use as a daily face cream for preventing dryness. A combination of shea butter, olive oil, aloe vera and vitamin E create a cream suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. Customize this face cream for your particular needs by adding an essential oil that complements your skin type.
Step 1
Combine the aloe vera gel and rosewater in a small mixing bowl. Whisk until thoroughly mixed, and set aside.
Step 2
Fill the bottom of a double boiler about halfway with water. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil.
Step 3
Pour the olive oil, shea butter and beeswax into the top of the double boiler, and gently heat the ingredients over the boiling water until the beeswax is melted.
Step 4
Remove the mixture from the heat. Add the vitamin E and liquid lecithin, and mix well. These ingredients work to stabilize and emulsify the face cream, resulting in a thick, creamy consistency.
Step 5
Add the aloe vera and rosewater mixture to the olive oil and shea butter mixture. Stir vigorously with a wire whisk for about five minutes to thicken the cream.
Step 6
Add essential oil if desired, and whisk again to combine. For the best results, choose an essential oil that complements your skin type. Try lavender for normal skin, lemon for oily skin or sandalwood for oily skin.
Step 7
Transfer the face cream to a shallow, wide-mouth jar. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. The cream will keep for up to six months when properly stored.
Tips and Warnings
- If beeswax pearls are not available, grate a block of solid beeswax until you have about 2 tbsp. of shreds. To use, massage the shea butter face cream into your skin using upward, circular motions. Begin at your neck and work your way upward. Avoid the sensitive areas around the eyes. Lightly tap the cream onto the area under the eyes, but do not rub. For best results, use once or twice daily just after washing your skin with a gentle cleanser.
Things You'll Need
- 1 tbsp. aloe vera gel
- 1 tbsp. rosewater
- Mixing bowls
- Wire whisk
- Double boiler
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. shea butter
- 2 tsp. beeswax pearls
- 800 IU vitamin E oil
- 1/4 tsp. liquid lecithin
- 3 drops essential oil, optional
- 4 oz. wide-mouth storage jar
References
- American Shea Butter Institute: What is Shea Butter?
- "Natural Beauty Recipe Book"; Gill Farrer-Halls; 2006
- "Natural Beauty Basics"; Dorie Byers; 2001
Member Comments
stampnsnip June 25
This is a great idea, but it would help me greatly, to have the measurements needed of each ingredient. Thanks! J. Dale