This post is sponsored by Key West Healthy and Beauty. As always, all opinions are my own.
I used to make lotion quite a bit, but then I stopped because I had kids and got too busy. My skin has been really dry lately, and I have a little patch of eczema on my hand, so I wanted to make my own again. The only problem is that homemade lotion needs a preservative or creepy crawlies can grow in it. My preservative is long gone, and I don't use enough to justify buying more. That's why I chose this recipe; it doesn't have any water in it, so it doesn't need a preservative.
Since it only has three ingredients, it is really easy to make too. You only need shea butter, a carrier oil, and coconut oil. I used olive oil, but sweet almond oil or jojoba oil would work really well too.
Shea butter is one of my favorite lotion and soap additives because it has so many benefits. It is high in vitamins A and E to nourish your skin. It's fatty acids help keep skin smooth. It's been said to help improve circulation and speed up skin renewal, which makes it great for stretch marks, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
I used coconut oil because it is solid at room temperature, so it helps the lotion keep its shape without using beeswax. It is also great for your skin and is high in good fat for your skin. The oil you choose will also help nourish your skin.
I only made enough of this recipe for one 8-ounce jar, but you can double or triple the recipe if you want more. You can also add 10-15 drops of essential oils per 8-ounce jar if you want.
There are two ways to make this easy shea butter lotion recipe: shaken or whipped. I chose to shake mine to mix the ingredients, so I have a thicker lotion. If you whip it, you'll get sometimes a little closer to the consistency of the lotion you buy in the store. There's no difference in how it works; it's just a personal preference.
Easy DIY Shea Butter Lotion Recipe
What You Need
- 1/4 cup organic unrefined shea butter
- 1/4 cup carrier oil (olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil)
- 1/2 cup organic unrefined coconut oil
- 8-ounce mason jars
- double boiler or small pan of water and a canning jar ring
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a mason jar. If you don't have a mason jar, use a Pyrex measuring cup or heat safe glass bowl inside a pan of water. Use a canning jar ring to lift the jar or cup away from direct heat.
- Slowly heat the water until everything melts, stirring occasionally.
- When it is completely melted, remove the jar from the water bath. Use a hot pad if the jar is hot. I set mine on the stove to cool off.
- If you want to whip your lotion, pour the lotion in to your mixing bowl and set it in the fridge until it starts to harden. You don't want it to be completely hard, but it should hold its shape. When it's ready, use the whisk attachment and beat until incorporated, about 5-10 minutes at medium speed.
- If you want to shake it, put a lid on it when it has cooled to room temperature and shake it very well every 15 minutes until it sets up.
I shook mine just because it was easier. I have some one piece ring and lids for canning jars that I use for lotions or when I need a good seal to store canned items in my fridge. I've also used plastic canning jar lids, and those would be perfect for this project.
Key West Organic Unrefined African Shea Butter Review
Thank you to Key West for providing the shea butter for this review. I've used a few kinds of shea butter before, and I have to say that I really like this one. The color was really light, so it didn't make my lotion turn dark. The odor was faint, which is great for an unrefined butter.
I really like the fact that it is made organically, and it is certified organic. The packaging is BPA free and there aren't any chemicals in the plastic that could leech in to the product. This is very important to me because my children use my homemade products, so I don't want any chemicals getting in to their little bodies.
Perhaps the thing about this shea butter that I love the most is that it is sourced from women's co-ops in Africa. The co-ops they use pay workers a fair wage and treat the employees well. As a female business owner, this is very important to me!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
