Summary: 🌼 Quick Look: Hydrate & Lock (Without Clogging Pores!). 💟 Benefits: Similar to Shea Butter, Shea Nut Oil is a super-hydrating liquid oil that can be applied directly to your skin as a moisturizer. As pure shea oil is non-comedogenic, you can use it as a face or body oil moisturizer.    ✅ High in Vitamin E, making it a potent skin lightener. ✅ Can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. ✅ Promotes glowy and radiant skin. ✅ High concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins soften skin. ✅ Possesses anti-inflammatory and healing properties. ✅ Can be used on the face for acne-prone skin due to its comedogenic rating of 0.    Research suggests Shea's anti-inflammatory components may reduce redness and swelling. Its fatty acid components may also soothe the skin by retaining moisture during the healing process. Treatments: Ideal for anti-aging, dry skin, and acne-prone skin. Best used as: Face or Body Moisturizer, Serum, Balm base. Best combined with: Extract of your choice for added benefits. Sunflower oil or oil of your choice for a lighter blend. ⚠️ Caution: Not Applicable. Approximate cost: $10.00 - $35.00 CAD (for a bottle of Shea Nut Oil; recipe cost will vary based on added ingredients). Yields: Varies depending on usage and batch size Prep time: Less than 5 minutes Ingredients: • 100% Pure Shea Nut Oil (Butyrospermum Parkii Oil) • (Optional) A few drops of your favorite skin-safe extract (e.g., Aloe Vera extract for soothing, Green Tea extract for antioxidants). • (Optional) A few drops of a lightweight carrier oil like Sunflower Oil or Jojoba Oil for a lighter consistency or to blend with essential oils. • (Optional) 1-2 drops of skin-safe essential oil for added benefits and fragrance (e.g., Lavender for calming, Frankincense for anti-aging - ensure proper dilution if applying to face). Equipment: • Clean hands • Small glass bottle with a dropper or airtight container • Small bowl (if blending with other ingredients) • Stirring rod or spoon (if blending) Instructions: Method 1: Simple Shea Nut Oil Moisturizer (Direct Application) 1. Dispense: Pour a few drops (2-5 depending on the area) of Shea Nut Oil into the palm of your clean hand. 2. Warm and Apply: Gently rub your palms together to warm the oil slightly. 3. Massage: Massage the oil onto your clean face and/or body using gentle, upward circular motions. 4. Allow to Absorb: Allow the oil to absorb naturally into your skin. A little goes a long way. Method 2: Enhanced Shea Nut Oil Serum 1. Combine Oils (Optional): In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of Shea Nut Oil with 1 teaspoon of your chosen lightweight carrier oil (like Sunflower or Jojoba). Stir well. This step can help the serum absorb even more quickly and can be used as a base for essential oils. 2. Add Extract (Optional): Stir in a few drops of your chosen skin-safe extract. 3. Add Essential Oil (Optional): If using essential oils, add 1-2 drops to the oil mixture and stir gently to combine. Ensure the essential oil is diluted within the carrier oils and is safe for topical application. 4. Transfer to Bottle: Carefully pour the serum into your clean glass bottle with a dropper or airtight container. 5. Apply: Use as described in Method 1, applying a few drops to your clean face and/or body. Method 3: Shea Nut Oil as a Balm Base 1. Combine with Wax: Shea Nut Oil can be combined with natural waxes like Beeswax or Candelilla Wax (for vegan options) in a double boiler to create a firmer balm. A typical ratio might be 2 parts Shea Nut Oil to 1 part wax, but you can adjust for your desired consistency. 2. Melt and Combine: Gently melt the wax and then stir in the Shea Nut Oil until fully combined. 3. Add Other Ingredients (Optional): You can add extracts and essential oils once melted. 4. Pour and Solidify: Pour the mixture into a clean container and allow it to cool and solidify into a balm. Notes: • Quality Matters: Choose 100% pure Shea Nut Oil for the best results. Look for cold-pressed or expeller-pressed options. • Listen to Your Skin: Pay attention to how your skin feels and adjust the amount of oil you use accordingly. • Patch Test (Optional for Essential Oils): If you are adding essential oils, perform a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying the serum to your entire face. • Storage: Store your Shea Nut Oil in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality. • Acne-Prone Skin: While Shea Nut Oil has a comedogenic rating of 0, always observe how your skin reacts when introducing a new oil, especially if you are very prone to breakouts.

Summary: 🌼 Quick Look: Hydrate & Lock (Without Clogging Pores!). 💟 Benefits: Similar to Shea Nut Oil, Shea Butter is an excellent thickening agent for balms or creams. Used topically, Shea Butter is known to be a “skin superfood” that nourishes skin to promote its clarity and addresses problems such as dryness, blemishes, dark spots, discolorations, stretch marks, and wrinkles without clogging pores. Shea butter is rated a 0 on the comedogenic scale. It's able to deeply moisturize the skin without clogging pores. It's especially amazing for dry skin, and a lot of acne-prone skin is actually dry.    ✅ High in Vitamin E, making it a potent skin lightener. ✅ Can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. ✅ Promotes glowy and radiant skin. ✅ High concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins soften skin. ✅ Possesses anti-inflammatory and healing properties. ✅ Can be used on the face for acne-prone skin due to its comedogenic rating of 0.    Research suggests shea's anti-inflammatory components may reduce redness and swelling. Its fatty acid components may also soothe the skin by retaining moisture during the healing process.    Treatments: Ideal for anti-aging, dry skin, and acne-prone skin. Best used as: Face or Body Moisturizer, Balm. Best combined with: Extract of your choice for added benefits. Sunflower oil or oil of your choice for a lighter consistency. ⚠️ Caution: Not Applicable. Approximate cost: $10.00 - $35.00 CAD (for raw Shea Butter; recipe cost will vary based on added oils and extracts). Yields: Approximately 4 ounces (adjust recipe for desired amount) Prep time: 10 minutes Cooling time: 30-60 minutes Whipping time: 5-10 minutes Ingredients: • 2 ounces (approximately 4 tablespoons) Raw, Unrefined Shea Butter (solid form) • 1 ounce (approximately 2 tablespoons) Sunflower Oil (or other lightweight oil like Jojoba or Almond Oil) • (Optional) 1/2 teaspoon Skin-safe Extract of your choice (e.g., Aloe Vera extract for soothing, Chamomile extract for calming). • (Optional) A few drops of skin-safe essential oil for fragrance or added benefits (e.g., Lavender for calming, Tea Tree for acne-prone skin - use sparingly and ensure proper dilution). Equipment: • Double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water • Measuring cups and spoons • Whisk (hand whisk or electric hand mixer) • Clean jar or airtight container for storage Instructions: 1. Melt the Shea Butter: Place the shea butter in your double boiler or heatproof bowl. Gently heat until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat. 2. Add Carrier Oil: Stir in the Sunflower Oil (or your chosen lightweight oil) into the melted shea butter. Mix well until fully combined. The addition of a lighter oil helps create a less dense and more spreadable balm. 3. Cool Slightly: Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes, or until it starts to slightly solidify around the edges but is still mostly liquid. You can speed this up by placing the bowl in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes, checking frequently. The mixture should be semi-solid but still soft enough to whip. 4. (Optional) Add Extract and Essential Oil: Once the mixture has cooled and slightly thickened, stir in your chosen extract and essential oil (if using). 5. Whip the Balm: Using a hand whisk or an electric hand mixer, whip the mixture for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes light, fluffy, and has a whipped cream-like consistency. The color will also lighten. 6. Transfer to Jar: Spoon or pour the whipped shea butter balm into a clean, airtight jar or container. 7. Store: Store the balm at room temperature. It may slightly solidify further, but will melt easily upon contact with the skin. How to Use: 1. Scoop a Small Amount: Take a small amount of the whipped shea butter balm with your fingers. 2. Warm and Apply: Gently rub the balm between your palms to warm it up and make it easier to apply. 3. Massage into Skin: Massage the balm generously onto dry areas of your face and/or body. It can be used as a daily moisturizer, a night cream, or a targeted treatment for very dry patches. 4. For Acne-Prone Skin: Due to its non-comedogenic nature, this balm can be used on acne-prone skin. Apply a thin layer and observe how your skin reacts. Notes: • Whipped Texture: Whipping incorporates air into the butter and oil mixture, creating a lighter and more luxurious feel. • Unrefined Shea Butter: Using raw, unrefined shea butter retains more of its natural vitamins and beneficial properties. It may have a slightly nutty scent, which is normal.    • Adjust Oils: You can adjust the ratio of shea butter to carrier oil based on your desired consistency. More carrier oil will result in a softer, more easily spreadable balm. • Extracts: Choose extracts that offer benefits for dry or acne-prone skin, such as soothing, hydrating, or anti-inflammatory properties. • Patch Test: If you have sensitive skin or are using essential oils for the first time, perform a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying the balm liberally. • Storage: The whipped balm is best used within 6-12 months.

Summary: 🌼 Quick Look: Intense Hydration & Barrier Protection. 💟 Benefits: Coconut oil helps bolster your skin's protective barrier layer, trapping moisture inside and keeping skin supple and hydrated. ✅ Reduces inflammation, making it beneficial for irritated, chafed skin. ✅ May help increase collagen production. ✅ High concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins soften skin. ✅ Possesses anti-inflammatory and healing properties. ✅ As a powerful natural and gentle anti-inflammatory, coconut oil may help lighten dark under-eye circles and moisturizes to help prevent wrinkles and fine lines (use cautiously around the eyes). 💜 A two-week study comparing coconut oil to mineral oil found that coconut oil significantly improved skin hydration and was just as effective as mineral oil for mild to moderately dry skin. 🌿 Treatments: Ideal for anti-aging and dry skin, particularly on the body. 🌻 Best used as: Body Moisturizer, Balm. 💐 Best combined with: Extract of your choice for added benefits. Melt with Sunflower Wax to create a firmer balm. ⚠️ Caution: Coconut oil has a high comedogenic rating of 4. It is highly likely to clog pores and is NOT generally recommended for use on acne-prone facial skin. Use with caution on the face, especially in the T-zone. 💲 Approximate cost: $10.00 - $30.00 CAD (for a jar of Coconut Oil; recipe cost will vary based on added ingredients). Yields: Approximately 4 ounces (adjust recipe for desired amount) Prep time: 5 minutes Melting time: 5-10 minutes (if making a firmer balm) Recipe 1: Simple Coconut Oil Body Moisturizer Ingredients: • 1/2 cup Virgin Coconut Oil (solid or liquid, depending on temperature) • (Optional) A few drops of your favorite skin-safe essential oil for fragrance (e.g., Lavender, Vanilla - use sparingly). Instructions: 1. Scoop and Apply: Scoop a small amount of coconut oil into your hands. 2. Melt and Massage: Rub your hands together to melt the oil. 3. Apply to Body: Massage the melted oil generously onto dry areas of your body, such as arms, legs, and elbows, preferably after showering or bathing while skin is still slightly damp. Recipe 2: Firming Coconut Oil Body Balm with Sunflower Wax Ingredients: • 1/4 cup Virgin Coconut Oil • 1/4 cup Sunflower Wax • (Optional) 1 teaspoon Carrier Oil of your choice (e.g., Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil) for a slightly softer consistency. • (Optional) 1/2 teaspoon Skin-safe Extract of your choice (e.g., Vanilla extract, Calendula extract). • (Optional) A few drops of skin-safe essential oil for fragrance (e.g., Lavender, Chamomile). Equipment: • Double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water • Measuring cups and spoons • Small stirring rod or spoon • Clean jar or airtight container for storage Instructions: 1. Melt Waxes and Oils: In your double boiler or heatproof bowl, combine the coconut oil and sunflower wax. If using, add the extra carrier oil as well. Gently heat until both the coconut oil and sunflower wax are completely melted and the mixture is smooth. 2. Remove from Heat: Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat. 3. Add Extracts and Essential Oils (Optional): If using, stir in your chosen extract and essential oil. 4. Pour into Container: Carefully pour the melted balm mixture into a clean jar or airtight container. 5. Cool and Solidify: Allow the balm to cool and solidify at room temperature. This may take a few hours. 6. Use: Once solid, scoop a small amount of the balm and rub it between your hands to soften before massaging it onto dry areas of your body. Recipe 3: Simple Under Eye Treatment (Use with Caution) Ingredients: • A tiny amount of Virgin Coconut Oil Instructions: 1. Apply Sparingly: Before bed, take a very small amount of coconut oil on your ring finger. 2. Gently Pat: Gently pat the oil around your orbital bone (the bone surrounding your eye), avoiding direct contact with the eye itself. 3. Leave Overnight: Leave the oil on overnight and gently cleanse your face in the morning. Notes: • Quality Matters: Use virgin, unrefined coconut oil for the most beneficial properties. • Sunflower Wax: Sunflower wax will create a firmer balm compared to using coconut oil alone. Adjust the amount of wax for your desired consistency. • Extracts: Choose extracts that offer benefits for dry skin, such as moisturizing or soothing properties. • Patch Test: If you have sensitive skin or are using essential oils, perform a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying liberally. • Facial Use Caution: Be mindful of coconut oil's high comedogenic rating if using it on your face. Observe how your skin reacts and discontinue use if you experience breakouts. It may be more suitable for drier areas of the face, away from the T-zone, for some individuals.