Shea butter is a nondrying fat derived from the nuts of the African karite tree. Shea butter has been made into lotions, creams, balms, soaps and candles thanks in part to its moisturizing properties and vitamin content. Occasionally, store-bought shea butter lotions can be greasy or oily, and many contain poor-quality shea butter and preservatives. Nonoily shea butter lotion can be made at home naturally and inexpensively with just a few ingredients.
Step 1
Fill a pot or saucepan with approximately 2 inches of distilled water. Place on the stove and bring to a simmer.
Step 2
Place 6 oz. of unrefined shea butter in a glass or stainless steel bowl and place over the simmering water to make a double boiler. Allow the shea butter to melt and add 4 oz. of grape seed or almond oil to the melted shea butter.
Step 3
Add 1 tsp. cornstarch and the contents of one vitamin E capsule to the shea butter, and mix all of the ingredients together. If you'd like to add fragrance to your lotion, you can add it in at this time.
Step 4
Fill a larger bowl with ice water. Remove the bowl containing the shea butter mixture from the saucepan or pot and place it in the ice-water bowl. Don't allow any water to splash into the shea butter mixture.
Step 5
Use a hand mixer set on medium to combine the ingredients. The shea butter will thicken and cool as you continue to mix it until it finally begins to form soft peaks reminiscent of whipped cream.
Step 6
Remove the bowl containing the shea butter mixture from the ice water. Move the shea butter lotion to a plastic container, cover and store in a refrigerator. The lotion will keep for several months.
Things You'll Need
- Pot or saucepan
- Distilled water
- 6 oz. unrefined shea butter
- Medium stainless steel or glass bowl
- 4 oz. almond or grape seed oil
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1 vitamin E capsule
- Fragrance oil (optional)
- Large bowl
- Iced water
- Hand mixer
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