Shea Butter Body Cream

The cold weather has arrived in Ireland and our skin at this time can benefit from some extra nourishment. Body creams on the market can be filled with numerous harsh chemicals and can be very expensive so you can make your own body cream at home to sooth and moisturise your skin during these cold winter months.

The main ingredient in this cream is raw or unrefined shea butter. Shea butter is the fat extracted from the nut from the Shea tree. It is used around the world for its moisturising and soothing properties.

The second ingredient is a carrier oil like almond oil. You could use whatever you have in your home for example olive oil or sesame oil.

I happened to have some almond oil available in the cupboard but do your best to use an oil that your own country provides. In Ireland we have an abundance of rapeseed oil.

I also add some jojoba oil. This is slightly more expensive so you can use as the carrier oil or add a small amount to the mixture. I find jojoba oil to be thicker and richer and supplies extra nourishment for dry skin.

I add some fresh aloe vera for its soothing properties.

I finish with some essential oils to add some beautiful aroma.

This recipe makes about 200mls of cream.

Recipe:

1 cup of raw or unrefined shea butter. In Ireland I can buy package free or in huge quantities. A good health shop should have some.

When this is melted it becomes about 1/2 cup of oil.

1/4 cup carrier oil. I use pure sweet almond oil but you can use any vegetable oil you have available.

1 tbsp jojoba oil

1 tbsp aloe vera

40 drops essential oil. I used lavender for its relaxing properties.

Method:

Melt the shea butter in a bowl over a pot of simmering water until it melts.

Take off the heat and add the almond oil, jojoba oil and aloe vera.

Mix together and add the essential oils of your choice.

Place the bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes or until it has a hard layer on the top...

Mix with a whisk until it resembles the consistency of butter. This will take a few minutes and give you strong arms!

Place into a sterilised jar. I reuse old jars and place in boiling water and boil for at least 10 minutes. Let air dry completely before filling with body butter.

That's it. So easy, so economical and a small amount goes a long way. I keep mine in the fridge as I love the cooling effect it has on the skin. You can keep at room temperature and it will last for months once no water gets inside.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy making and let me know how you get on.