DIY Hydrating Shea Nut Oil Serum (For Face & Body)

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.