DIY Shea Butter Face Cream Recipe (Beginner Friendly)

Jump to Recipe

What Is Shea Butter?

If you are looking for a natural and effective way to take care of your skin and hair, you need to know about shea butter. Shea butter is a wonderful ingredient that comes from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows in Africa. It is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids that nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin and hair. 

Shea butter can help you with many common problems, such as dryness, itchiness, inflammation, aging, sun damage, and more. It is also gentle and safe for all skin types, even sensitive ones. 

You can use shea butter by itself as a moisturizer, a conditioner, a mask, a balm, a soap, or a lotion or  mix it with other ingredients, such as essential oils, to create your own personalized products. Shea butter is a versatile and amazing ingredient that you will love.

Why Choose Shea Butter Over Other Popular Ingredients?

Shea butter is a popular skincare ingredient because it has many benefits for the skin and hair, such as:

• It is non-allergenic and gentle for sensitive skin.
• It is super moisturizing and nourishing, restoring the skin’s barrier and hydration.
• It is anti-inflammatory and soothing, reducing redness and irritation.
• It is non-greasy and easily absorbed, leaving a smooth and soft texture.
• It is nourishing and rich in vitamins A, E, and F, antioxidants, and fatty acids, which help with healing, protection, and anti-aging.

Shea butter is more effective and versatile than other popular ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, or argan oil, because it has a higher percentage of unsaponifiable compounds, which are the active ingredients that provide the benefits. 

Moreover it has a longer shelf life and a more pleasant scent than some other butters and oils

Essential Tools and Ingredients for Shea Butter Face Cream Recipe

Shea butter is a natural and nourishing ingredient that can moisturize, heal, and protect your skin. It is especially beneficial for dry or aging skin, as it can reduce inflammation, wrinkles, and scars. In this article, we will show you how to make your own shea butter face cream at home, using simple tools and ingredients. This homemade face cream is easy to make, customizable, and smells amazing. You will love how soft and smooth your skin will feel after using it.

List of Necessary Tools 

To make your own shea butter face cream, you will need the following tools:

• A double boiler or a heat-safe bowl and a saucepan: You will use this to melt the shea butter and cocoa butter over low heat. A double boiler is a pot with a smaller pot or bowl inside it, filled with water. The water heats up and transfers the heat to the smaller pot or bowl, without burning the ingredients. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can use a heat-safe bowl and a saucepan with some water in it. Just make sure the bowl does not touch the water.

• A whisk or a fork: You will use this to stir the melted shea butter and cocoa butter, and to mix in the jojoba oil, beetroot powder, and rose essential oil. A whisk or a fork will help you create a smooth and creamy texture for your face cream.

• A measuring cup and spoons: You will use these to measure the ingredients for your face cream. You will need a 1/4 cup, a tablespoon, and a teaspoon. You can also use a kitchen scale if you prefer to measure by weight.

• A glass jar or a tin container: You will use this to store your face cream. You will need a 4 oz jar or container, or two 2 oz jars or containers. Make sure they are clean and dry before using them. You can also sterilize them by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.

Core Ingredients

The core ingredients for your shea butter face cream are:

• Shea butter: Shea butter is the star ingredient of this face cream. It is a fat that comes from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows in Africa. It is rich in vitamins A, E, and F, fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. Shea butter can moisturize, nourish, protect, heal, and soothe your skin and hair like no other ingredient. It can also help with various skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, and more. You will need 1/4 cup of shea butter for this recipe. Make sure to use unrefined or raw shea butter, which has more nutrients and benefits than refined shea butter.

• Cocoa butter: Cocoa butter is another natural fat that comes from the seeds of the cocoa tree, which grows in tropical regions. It is also rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Cocoa butter can hydrate, soften, and improve the elasticity of your skin. It can also prevent and fade stretch marks, scars, and blemishes. Cocoa butter has a delicious chocolate scent that will make your face cream smell heavenly. You will need 1 tablespoon of cocoa butter for this recipe. Make sure to use unrefined or raw cocoa butter, which has more nutrients and benefits than refined cocoa butter.

• Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is a liquid wax that comes from the seeds of the jojoba plant, which grows in North America. It is very similar to the natural oil (sebum) that your skin produces, which makes it ideal for balancing your skin’s oil production and moisture level. Jojoba oil can also penetrate deeply into your skin, delivering nutrients and antioxidants. Jojoba oil can help with acne, inflammation, dryness, aging, and more. You will need 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil for this recipe. You can also use another carrier oil of your choice, such as almond oil, olive oil, or coconut oil.

• Beetroot powder: Beetroot powder is a natural colorant that comes from dried and ground beetroots. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. Beetroot powder can give your face cream a beautiful pink hue, as well as boost your skin’s health and glow. Beetroot powder can also help with acne, pigmentation, dullness, and more. You will need 1/4 teaspoon of beetroot powder for this recipe. You can also use another natural colorant of your choice, such as rose clay, turmeric, or cocoa powder.

• Rose essential oil: Rose essential oil is a fragrant oil that comes from the petals of the rose flower. It is one of the most expensive and luxurious essential oils, as it takes thousands of roses to produce a small amount of oil. Rose essential oil has many benefits for your skin and your mood. It can hydrate, tone, brighten, and regenerate your skin. It can also reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Rose essential oil has a sweet and floral scent that will make your face cream smell divine. You will need 10 drops of rose essential oil for this recipe. You can also use another essential oil of your choice, such as lavender, geranium, or frankincense.

Optional Ingredients

The optional ingredients for your shea butter face cream are:

• Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E oil is a natural preservative that can extend the shelf life of your face cream. It is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect your skin from free radical damage, which can cause aging, wrinkles, and sagging. Vitamin E oil can also heal, moisturize, and improve the appearance of your skin. You can add 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin E oil to this recipe if you want to make your face cream last longer and more effective.

• Arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a natural thickener that can reduce the greasiness of your face cream. It is a starch that comes from the roots of the arrowroot plant, which grows in tropical regions. It is also soothing and healing for your skin, as it can reduce inflammation, irritation, and redness. Arrowroot powder can also help with acne, rashes, and infections. You can add 1/4 teaspoon of arrowroot powder to this recipe if you want to make your face cream less oily and more smooth.

Step-By-Step Guide to Making Shea Butter Face Cream

Making your own shea butter face cream is easy and fun. You only need a few tools and ingredients, and you can customize it to your liking. Follow these simple steps to create your own homemade face cream that will nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin.

Preparation

Before you start, make sure you have all the tools and ingredients ready. You will need:

• A double boiler or a heat-safe bowl and a saucepan
• A whisk or a fork
• A measuring cup and spoons
• A glass jar or a tin container
• A 1/4 cup of shea butter
• A tablespoon of cocoa butter
• Two tablespoons of jojoba oil
• A 1/4 teaspoon of beetroot powder
• Ten drops of rose essential oil
• Optional: a 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin E oil and/or a 1/4 teaspoon of arrowroot powder

Melting Shea Butter

The first step is to melt the shea butter and cocoa butter over low heat. To do this, you can use a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl and a saucepan. Fill the bottom pot or pan with some water and bring it to a boil. Then, place the top pot or bowl over it, making sure it does not touch the water. Add the shea butter and cocoa butter to the top pot or bowl and let them melt slowly, stirring occasionally with a whisk or a fork. Do not overheat or burn the butter, as this can destroy their nutrients and benefits.

Combining Oils

The next step is to combine the jojoba oil, beetroot powder, and rose essential oil with the melted shea butter and cocoa butter. To do this, remove the top pot or bowl from the heat and let it cool slightly. Then, add the jojoba oil, beetroot powder, and rose essential oil to the butter mixture and whisk or fork well until everything is well incorporated. You can also add the optional vitamin E oil and/or arrowroot powder at this point, if you want to make your face cream more stable and less greasy.

Cooling

The third step is to let the face cream mixture cool completely. To do this, you can transfer the mixture to a glass jar or a tin container and place it in the refrigerator for about an hour, or until it is solidified. You can also leave it at room temperature, but it will take longer to harden.

Whipping

The final step is to whip the face cream until it is light and fluffy. To do this, you can use a hand mixer or a whisk and beat the face cream for about 10 minutes, or until it has a whipped cream-like consistency. You can also use a fork, but it will take more effort and time.

And that’s it! You have just made your own shea butter face cream. You can use it as a daily moisturizer for your face and neck, or as a night cream for extra hydration. You can also apply it to other parts of your body that need some TLC, such as your hands, feet, elbows, or knees. Your skin will love you for it.

Best Practices for Applying Shea Butter Face Cream

Now that you have made your own shea butter face cream, you might be wondering how to use it and store it properly. Shea butter face cream is a natural and delicate product that needs some care and attention to maintain its freshness and efficacy. In this article, we will share with you some best practices for applying and storing your shea butter face cream.

Storing Your Diy Cream to Maintain Freshness and Efficacy

Shea butter face cream is sensitive to heat, light, and air, which can affect its texture, color, and smell. To prevent this, you should store your face cream in a cool, dark, and dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. You can also keep it in the refrigerator, but make sure to let it warm up a bit before using it, as it can harden when cold. You should also use a clean and dry spoon or spatula to scoop out the face cream, rather than your fingers, to avoid contamination and bacteria growth. You should also keep the lid or cap of your jar or container tightly closed when not in use, to prevent oxidation and moisture loss.

Shelf Life and Signs of Expiration

Shea butter face cream is a natural and preservative-free product, which means it has a limited shelf life. Depending on the ingredients and storage conditions, your face cream can last anywhere from 3 to 12 months. 

To extend the shelf life of your face cream, you can add some vitamin E oil, which is a natural antioxidant and preservative, to your recipe. You can also use distilled water or rose water, rather than tap water, to avoid impurities and minerals that can spoil your face cream. You should also make small batches of face cream, rather than large ones, to use them up faster and avoid waste.

To know if your face cream has expired, you should look for some signs of spoilage, such as:

• Change in color: Your face cream might turn yellow, brown, or gray, due to oxidation or mold growth.
• Change in smell: Your face cream might smell rancid, sour, or musty, due to bacteria or fungus growth.
• Change in texture: Your face cream might become grainy, lumpy, or watery, due to separation or crystallization of the ingredients.
• Change in performance: Your face cream might lose its moisturizing, healing, or protective properties, due to degradation of the nutrients and benefits.

If you notice any of these signs, you should discard your face cream immediately and make a fresh batch. Do not use expired face cream, as it can cause irritation, infection, or allergic reactions to your skin.

Conclusion: The Best Shea Butter Based Face Cream Recipe

You have just learned how to make your own shea butter based face cream with simple and natural ingredients. This recipe is easy, affordable, and effective for moisturizing and nourishing your skin. Shea butter is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation, improve elasticity, and heal scars. The essential oils add a pleasant fragrance and additional benefits for your skin type. You can customize this recipe by using different oils or adding other ingredients like honey, aloe vera, or oatmeal.