How to Use Shea Butter in DIY Natural Body Care
Shea Butter: is extracted from the nut of the African Karite (also known as shea) Tree. It is an edible oil that is often used in food preparation in Africa. Shea butter is obtained by cold pressing the nut to derive the oil. The butter retains all of the fat during cold extraction. The nut and butter are both edible. The oil is used in food preparation in Africa. Some chocolatiers use shea butter mixed with other oils to blend their chocolates.
Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer and can soften skin damaged by dryness, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and even sunburns. It is used in many natural skin-care products from lip balm to moisturizers, to salves.
There are many uses for Shea Butter, here are a few:
- Skin moisturizer for dry skin
- Wrinkle reducer
- Lip balm
- Anti-inflammatory for the skin or in muscle creams
- Reduces the appearance of stretch marks
- Acne treatment
- Eczema treatment
- Foot cream for dry cracked feet
- Shaving cream
- Anti-itch cream
Cautions:
It should be noted that because this oil is derived from the nut of a nut tree, it may cause allergic reactions in anyone with nut tree allergies.
Want to make some natural body care products using Shea butter?
Here are a few of my favorite recipes and tutorials:
DIY Luxurious Shea Body Butter
This super simple recipe is wonderful for nourishing dry skin.
DIY Shea and Vanilla Body Scrub
This body scrub smells amazing! Plus, it exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time!
(Don't forget to check out my new book: The Body Scrub Bible)
Homemade lotion bars
These are so simple to make, you'll be amazed.
Where to buy Shea Butter
