Lotion Recipe With Shea Butter

This 3 ingredient lotion recipe with shea butter is all natural, non-greasy, inexpensive and super easy to make. Raw shea butter is the perfect ingredient to use in homemade lotion because it’s extremely moisturizing and healing for damaged and dry skin.

If you’re just starting to get into making your homemade skincare products, making your own lotion is a great place to start! It’s super easy and you’ll only need to go out and buy a couple of ingredients.

This DIY shea butter lotion recipe is one of my favorite kind of hand creams to make in the winter time. One small jar lasts my family all season so it’s an extremely affordable option!

Shea butter lotion is the perfect moisturizer for keeping my eczema from flaring up when we have our woodstove going. I used to get it so bad that my hand would actually bleed. Store-bought lotions didn’t seem to work and I’m sure the synthetic fragrances in them were actually making my skin problems worse.

This lotion might seem too basic, but that’s one of the real benefits of it. There aren’t any hidden chemicals or additives to react badly to, making it a great option if you have really sensitive skin. I even use it on my babies!

Have you tried making homemade baby lotion yet?

On top of it’s moisturizing benefits, this shea butter lotion recipe also helps clear up acne and scarring. It’s made with jojoba oil that is known for it’s anti-inflammatory and healing abilities.

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why you’ll like this Lotion Recipe With Shea Butter

all natural ingredients

No worrisome chemicals in this lotion making it a great choice for even sensitive skin types.

easy to make

You can whip up enough lotion to last your family all Winter in just 15 minutes!

super cheap

It only costs a few dollars worth of ingredients to make. That’s a fraction of the cost of store-bought lotion! It might seem pricey the first time you make homemade lotion, but it only takes a little bit of each ingredient to make a jar full, leaving you with plenty leftover to make several more batches!

You can use the leftover beeswax to make beeswax body butter, furniture polish, beeswax candles or lip balm too!

moisturizing

All of the ingredient are naturally hydrating and healing for dry skin.

creamy

The whipping process gives this homemade body lotion a really creamy consistency that literally melts into your skin leaving it feeling soft and smooth, not greasy.

easy to customize

You can leave this lotion scent free or add a few drops of your favorite essential oils.

what you need to Make Lotion With Shea Butter

ingredients

• shea butter – softens your skin, and tones and soothes. Shea butter is also known for its anti inflammatory properties making it a wonderful ingredient for homemade skin care products. Cocoa butter can be used if you prefer.
• sweet almond oil – has healing properties that make it helpful with acne and other skin blemishes. Other carrier oils like jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil and olive oil would work as well.
• white beeswax pellets – adding beeswax to DIY lotion recipes helps to make the final product feel less greasy on your skin while still moisturizing.
• distilled water
• vitamin E oil – completely optional, but if you want extra healing power in your lotion, just add a teaspoon of vitamin E oil to the mixture before whipping it!

supplies

• electric mixer – you can make this recipe in a blender, food processor, stand mixer or a bowl with a hand mixer.
• double boiler – or you can just add an inch or two of water to a saucepan and a glass bowl on top of the saucepan. Heat the water over medium heat and add your ingredients to the glass bowl to melt.
• mason jar or glass container – to store the lotion in.

How to make this Homemade Body Lotion Recipe

Melt – Using a double boiler or a glass bowl on top of a pot with a few inches of water in it, heat the almond oil, shea butter and beeswax over medium low heat until there are no solid bits left.

Whip – Using a stand mixer or electric beaters, whip the oil mixture on high. Slowly and gradually add in the water. It’s very important to drip it in just a little at a time to make sure the oils and water don’t separate after they’re mixed together. Whip until the mixture is bright white.

tips for success

to store – Store in a cool place like the refrigerator in a glass jar for up to 6 months.

to use – This homemade lotion recipe is safe to use on any parts of your body, but it’s best to avoid sensitive areas. If you experience any kind of skin irritation, stop using immediately.

variations – Try scenting your homemade shea butter lotion with different essential oils! Add between 30-50 drop depending on how strong you want the scent to be.

substitutions – You can use jojoba, fractionated coconut oil or olive oil in place of the almond oil in this recipe.

FAQ about this Lotion Recipe With Shea Butter

what is shea butter lotion good for?

Shea butter is well known for it’s many benefits in skincare products:

• healing anti-inflammatory properties
• contains beneficial fatty acids and vitamins that promote healthy cell function
• a completely naturally moisturizer that works with the skin’s natural oils to hydrate without leaving it looking oily
• contains anti-oxidants that may have anti-aging benefits
• can repair damaged skin such as acne and stretch marks

can you apply shea butter to your face?

The anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter make it beneficial for clearing up rea-outs and improving overall skin tone.

Applying straight shea butter to your face can actually clog your pores since it is so thick. Mixing shea butter in a lotion recipe will thin it out enough to make it easier for your skin to absorb without leaving a thick residue.

which is better raw or refined shea butter?

When something is “refined” it has gone through a process involving high heat and sometimes various chemicals. The result is an odorless, whiter form. This process does strip the shea butter of up to 75% of it’s nutrients and vitamins.

Raw shea butter is thicker, creamier colored and has a slight odor. To get the most out of shea butter as an ingredient in body butter recipes, raw, unrefined shea butter is the best option.

how long does homemade shea butter lotion last?

Because homemade lotion contains water and is preservative free, it won’t last indefinitely. Storing this DIY shea butter lotion recipe at room temperature, it can last up to 3 months. I like to store mine in the fridge so that it lasts closer to 6 months.

can you add essential oils to this recipe for lotion with shea butter?

You definitely can! You want to make sure you dilute essential oils with enough of a carrier oil so that they aren’t too strong for your skin.

It’s recommended to use 12 drops of essential oils for every ounce of carrier oil, body cream or lotion.. Since there are about 4 ounces of oils in this recipe, I usually add between 30 and 50 drops of essential oil to it.

Jennifer from Loving Essential Oils has some wonderful suggestions of essential oil combinations for lotions.

more Skin Care Recipes on the blog

If you liked this lotion with shea butter, I think you’ll really enjoy these other DIY toiletries on the blog!

• All Natural Baby Wash
• Homemade Honey Oatmeal Soap – With Pink Clay
• DIY Strawberry Lip Balm
• Homemade Orange Blossom Face Wash
• Handmade Orange Lip Balm

I hope you love this recipe for lotion with shea butter! If you make it, I’d love for you to come back and leave a comment and rating so that I know how you like using it!

Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie on Instagram to share what you’ve made with us!