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:
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.
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.
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.
(Optional) Add Extract and Essential Oil: Once the mixture has cooled and slightly thickened, stir in your chosen extract and essential oil (if using).
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.
Transfer to Jar: Spoon or pour the whipped shea butter balm into a clean, airtight jar or container.
Store: Store the balm at room temperature. It may slightly solidify further, but will melt easily upon contact with the skin.
How to Use:
Scoop a Small Amount: Take a small amount of the whipped shea butter balm with your fingers.
Warm and Apply: Gently rub the balm between your palms to warm it up and make it easier to apply.
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.
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.
