Shea butter, a naturally occurring oil derived from the seeds of the African Shea tree, is used in numerous skin care products for its moisturizing properties. According to the American Shea Butter Institute, the substance contains natural moisturizers similar to those produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. For this reason, shea butter is used to treat and prevent dry skin in a variety of applications. You can make your own homemade shea butter lotion suitable for daily use on the face and body using only a few natural ingredients and common kitchen equipment.
Step 1
Add the shea butter and beeswax to a glass measuring cup. Place in a small saucepan of simmering water that reaches about halfway up the sides of the measuring cup. Continue simmering over medium heat until the beeswax melts.
Step 2
Remove the measuring cup from the pan. Allow the shea butter mixture to cool for about a minute, but not long enough for the beeswax to harden again. You should be able to put your finger in the mixture without discomfort, and a thin film should form on top.
Step 3
Put the lid on your blender, and remove the ring from the center. Place a wide-mouth funnel into the hole in the lid to reduce splashing, and pour in 1 cup water.
Step 4
Turn the blender on high speed, and slowly add the shea butter mixture through the funnel in a steady stream. The lotion should begin to thicken noticeably after you've added about three-fourths of the shea butter mixture.
Step 5
Continue blending until the lotion becomes stiff and all the water is incorporated. This process is known as emulsifying. In some cases, a bit of excess water will remain after mixing in all of the oil. Pour off any excess and you should be left with a thick, creamy lotion.
Step 6
Add the essential oil to your shea butter lotion, and blend just enough to incorporate. For best results, use an essential oil recommended for your skin type. In her book "Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art," Kathi Keville suggests lemongrass for oily skin, rosemary for dry skin, and lavender for normal skin.
Step 7
Spoon the lotion into wide-mouth storage jars, and place in the refrigerator to extend shelf life. Leave a single jar out for daily use, if desired. Use the lotion within six months.
Tips and Warnings
- You may melt the beeswax in the top of a double boiler instead of using a glass measuring cup and saucepan, if desired. Fill the bottom of the boiler with water and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Simmer until the beeswax melts. Emulsifying oil and water to make lotion is not an exact science. Adding the shea butter to the water at a slow, steady pace increases your chance of success. If your lotion fails to emulsify, the shea butter mixture may be too cold, or you may have added it too quickly. This recipe yields approximately 15 oz. shea butter lotion.
Things You'll Need
- Glass measuring cup
- Small saucepan
- 3/4 cup Shea butter
- 2 tbsp. shaved Beeswax or beeswax pearls
- Blender
- Wide-mouth funnel
- 30 drops Essential oil
- 1- to 2-oz. Wide-mouth storage jars
References
- American Shea Butter Institute: What is Shea Butter?
- "Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art"; Kathi Keville, Mindy Green; 2008
- "Natural Beauty Basics"; Dorie Byers; 2001
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