Lotion is so easy to make and much healthier for your skin. This homemade shea butter lotion recipe is non-greasy, cost-efficient, and extremely moisturizing for dry skin. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up this simple shea butter lotion in no time.
Shea butter lotion has so many great benefits for the skin and will only cost a few cents per each use. Making your own organic skincare is definitely the most cost-efficient option. And of course, you will know it is made with the purest ingredients that will leave your skin soft and smooth.
If you are new here, you may be wondering why it is important to worry about what we put on our skin or if it even matters? The skin is the largest organ in the body and absorbs everything that is put on it. In fact, what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body.
As I started cleaning up my skincare routine, I quickly realized that making my own skincare was the best option. Not only is it much cheaper, but you can also customize each product for your particular skin type and preference.
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HOW TO MAKE LOTION WITH SHEA BUTTER
Making homemade lotion and whipped body butter is so easy and doesn’t require any special equipment. It is as easy as melting a few ingredients together, allowing them to cool, whipping it up with a hand mixer, and transferring it to an airtight container.
NON-GREASY SHEA BUTTER LOTION RECIPE
The trick to making homemade lotion non-greasy is adding in arrowroot powder. Arrowroot powder helps to absorb some of the oil and makes the lotion the perfect consistency.
I have made a lot of lotions in my time, from sunscreen lotion to whipped mango butter and it wasn’t until recently I discovered the arrowroot powder trick.
I loved all of my homemade lotions as they left my skin so soft and moisturized, but they were a bit oily. Adding in the arrowroot powder will help with that! Before whipping the lotion to make it light and fluffy, try adding a small amount of arrowroot powder to make the perfect homemade lotion.
One other way to make non-greasy lotion would be to make a water-based recipe. They easily absorb into the skin and can be stored in a pump-style bottle for easy application.
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HOMEMADE SHEA BUTTER LOTION
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE LOTION
- 3/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 15 drops essential oils (optional, see list below)
- 5 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- Double boiler
- Hand mixer
- Mason jar for storage
HOW TO MAKE LOTION
- Melt the shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler.
- Once the ingredients are melted, remove from the heat. Place the bowl in the freezer for about 20 minutes or until the ingredients start to set up. You don’t want the ingredients to be solid, just firm enough to be able to use a hand mixer on.
- Add in the essential oils and vitamin E oil if using.
- Slowly add in the arrowroot powder while mixing the lotion with a hand mixer.
- Continue mixing until light and fluffy; about 3 minutes.
- Transfer the homemade lotion to an airtight storage container.
RECIPE NOTES
- Store out of direct sunlight for up to one year.
- It is best to store any DIY product with essential oil in a glass container. I am using a wide-mouth mason jar.
- If you are using essential oils, be sure to dilute further if making this recipe for a child by cutting the number of oils in half.
- If you do not have a double boiler, you can make your own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.
- You can substitute equal parts of mango butter or cocoa butter for the shea butter if you prefer.
BENEFITS OF SHEA BUTTER
I love using shea butter on my skin because it has so many wonderful benefits. It is a very gentle ingredient making it great for children and babies too!
Shea butter is found in many skin care products and is known as the “superfood for the skin.” It is very unlikely to cause skin irritation and can be the best ingredient for someone with sensitive skin or rash-prone skin.
- Great for sensitive skin
- Very moisturizing
- Helps to reduce signs of anti-aging
- Can reduce age spots and scars
- Hydrate and repair damaged skin
- Great source of fatty acids and vitamins
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Improve skin tone
CAN I USE SHEA BUTTER ON MY FACE?
Shea butter is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores, making it an OK ingredient to apply to the face. If you have acne-prone skin, you may want to do a small test patch first to be sure it doesn’t cause breakouts.
Shea butter, on its own, has a creamy yet thick consistency. It is easy to apply to the skin but can leave a residue. If applying shea butter to the face, it is best to do it at night time. Applying it in the morning may affect your makeup routine.
Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties making it great for acne and reducing redness on the face. It can also help with anti-aging by reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and crows feet.
HOMEMADE SHEA BUTTER LOTION WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
Adding in essential oils is optional, but highly recommended! Essential oils can have so many great benefits for your skin and can help to customize your lotion just the way you want. Using essential oils will add cleaning, purifying, and anti-aging properties. Several can help to hydrate the skin and boost the immune system.
You will want to avoid citrus essential oils if you plan to use your lotion before being outside in direct sunlight. Some citrus essential oils are photosensitive and can cause the skin to sunburn or get a rash.
It is also important to note that the amount of essential oils you use will depend on who you are making it for. If making this lotion for an adult, you can add 10-15 drops of essential oil to the lotion. If making the lotion for a child, you can add 5-10 drops of essential oil to the lotion.
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR SKINCARE
- Frankincense
- Rose
- Lavender
- Sandalwood
- Roman Chamomile
- Yarrow
- Tea tree
- Geranium
- Jasmine
- Rosemary
Homemade Shea Butter Lotion
Equipment
- Double Boiler
- Mason jar for storage
Ingredients
- ¾ cup shea butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 15 drops essential oils optional
- 5 drops vitamin E oil optional
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Melt the shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler.
- Once the ingredients are melted, remove from the heat. Place the bowl in the freezer for about 20 minutes or until the ingredients start to set up.
- Add in the essential oils and vitamin E oil if using.
- Slowly add in the arrowroot powder while mixing the lotion with a hand mixer.
- Continue mixing until light and fluffy; about 3 minutes.
- Transfer the homemade lotion to an airtight storage container.
Notes
- Store out of direct sunlight for up to one year.
- It is best to store any DIY product with essential oil in a glass container. I am using a wide mouth mason jar.
- If you choose to use essential oils, cut the number of oils in half if a child uses it.
- If you do not have a double boiler, you can make your own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.
- You can substitute equal parts of mango butter or cocoa butter for the shea butter if you prefer.
Melanie says
Have you tried using this lotion in a glass pump bottle? I have some of those and am just wondering if it would stay creamy enough to use the pump or if it would solidify and block the pump over time. Thanks in advance!
Laura says
No, this is to thick from the get go to use it in a pump bottle!
Bri says
Hi. How many 8oz jars will this make?
Laura says
This will fill up one 8 oz jar.
Karli says
I just made your recipe and it turned out great! Thank you 🙂
Do you have any idea if I were to increase the coconut oil would it become a little runnier without being greasy? I’d like to be able to put it in a pump.
Donna says
I made this and it looked very creamy at first but then got hard and crumbly. Can you tell me what I might of done wrong. It still works and smells heavenly.
Thank you
Laura says
Glad you love the smell! You can try melting it down and whipping it with a hand mixer a little longer this time. It should stay pretty fluffy with whipping.
Austin says
Does African Shea Butter work differently? My mixture is VERY oily and I even added more arrowroot powder.
Jill says
I made this and after I let it set up (I might have kept it in the freezer too long—it was kind of firm but I was still able to make a dent when I pressed firmly) I started mixing and slowly added in the arrowroot and it seized up like butter! Now it’s just hard clumps stuck in my mixing whisks. What do I do??
Laura says
I would leave it out on the counter to melt slightly. It was probably do hard when you went to mix it.
Marguerite says
What if the shea butter is too oily.
What do I do.
I used 1/4 cup of coconut oil and it is really watery.
Thank you.
Laura says
Were you able to use regular coconut oil, not fractionated coconut oil?
christa says
making this for a baby shower thank you gift we have 4 oz jars how much does this recipe make
Laura says
This will make just over 8 ounces
Brittany says
Can you use a different oil? I really like jojoba oil instead of coconut oil
Laura says
Jojoba will not work in this recipe without changing the texture.
Barb says
This looks like a great formula to get around the emulsifier issue when adding a water-based ingredient. I love the idea of the Arrowroot powder to cut the greasiness of the lotion.
However, I have Tapioca starch but no Arrowroot, and I need to make this tomorrow.
Can I substitute the Tapioca starch in this formula?
Thank you.
Laura says
I have not used tapioca before. Do let me know how it worked out.
Sara says
I ordered the Shea butter from your link but have had the seal lifted up on both jars. Not sure if I should still us it. Do you have another Shea butter that you can recommend?
Michelle says
I followed your instructions to a T. The batch hardened when it cooled down. Did I do something wrong?
Laura says
It needs to set up first, then whip for about 3 minutes.
Jenny says
Does this lotion have a shelf life and does it need to be refrigerated? Thank you
Laura says
This recipe will last up to one year and does not need to be refrigerated.
carrie brown says
HI there, this is my first time trying this out. Is there a way to use my own perfume instead of essential oil?
Laura says
Yes, you can. However, the perfume may be drying to the skin.
Kelly says
Made it! Did a double batch! Used corn starch in place of arrow root and used way more than the recipe called for. Maybe even a half cup of corn starch. Did not add any scent. It’s perfect! Whipped and whipped for a long time. It’s nice and creamy, no clumps! Will try again with some scents
Laura says
I am so glad you love it, this is one of my favorites! Yes, you can add essential oils for skin benefits and scent!