With it’s mix of fatty acids, vitamins (A, E and F) and antioxidants, it’s no wonder that shea butter has become a highly sought-after beauty ingredient around the world. So, if you’re curious about how to use this prized African butter, then keep reading to learn about what to mix with shea butter for skincare and haircare. Show
Note: this post contains affiliate links and I earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you use them to make a purchase. BEST OILS TO MIX WITH SHEA BUTTERShea butter blends well with just about any carrier oil and essential oil that you can think of. So, which one(s) you choose to use depends on your personal preference and intended use (hair vs skin). Below are some excellent carrier oils that you can combine with shea butter:
And here are some essential oils that go well with the natural scent of shea butter:
Before we proceed to specific recipes you can use, there are some important things to keep in mind about shea butter and essential oils:
WHAT TO COMBINE WITH SHEA BUTTER FOR SKIN: STRETCH MARKS, BODY CREAM, LIGHTEN DARK SPOTSFor Stretch MarksTo make a stretch mark, you can combine the following ingredients with shea butter:
For the complete recipe that you can use, see this article on how to make a stretch mark cream and oil. For A Skin Brightening Body CreamTo make a body cream, you can use the same combination of butters and oils listed in the stretch mark recipe (the vitamin A in rosehip oil and shea butter can be quite helpful for hyperpigmentation). If you’d prefer to experiment with other ingredients, then here are some options to use with shea butter:
As for essential oils, the following may help to fade dark spots (but again, shea butter’s heaviness will hinder their absorption):
Either way, if you plan on using the blend on your face and body, then start with a 1 to 1.5% dilution of the essential oils. This equates to:
If you’re going to use the blend on your body only, you can experiment with higher dilutions of up to 3%. Do keep in mind that each essential oil also has its own recommended dilution ratio. So, please take that into account when making your recipes. For a complete guide on essential oil dilution, make sure to read this guide on how to dilute essential oils for the skin.
WHAT TO MIX WITH SHEA BUTTER FOR HAIR GROWTHShea butter is one of the best natural ingredients for hair growth, especially if your hair is naturally dry. This versatile butter works as a:
One of the best category of ingredients to use with shea butter are hair growth herbs and essential oils, such as:
In addition, you can also blend shea butter with humectants and conditioning oils/butters such as:
Lastly, you can also make a mega conditioning shea butter hair mixture with foods like:
MOISTURZING SHEA BUTTER RECIPES FOR HAIRIf you have naturally dry and kinky hair like I do, then this whipped shea butter cream can help you lock moisture into your hair. My favorite way to use this cream is to spray my hair with a glycerin and water moisturizer (1:16 ratio). Then I dab a very small amount of this whipped butter onto my strands (mainly from the middle to the end of the strands). NOTE: this recipe was updated September 18, 2022. Ingredients 1/2 cup shea butter 3 Tbsp grapeseed oil 1 Tbsp hemp oil 1 Tbsp castor oil Essential oils (optional): peppermint, lavender or rosemary 10 ounce glass jar Instructions 1. Melt the shea butter and carrier oils on the LOW setting of your stovetop. You can use a double boiler or a makeshift double boiler. 2. Once melted, place the mixture in your freezer for about 10 – 15 minutes. The mixture should become firm but not harden. It should like like petroleum jelly. 3. Remove from the freezer and using a hand mixer, blend the mixture for at least 5 minutes. The goal is to get as much air as possible into the mixture. This is what makes it fluffy and soft. 4. Once again, put the mixture in the freezer for about 10 minutes until it firms up. 5. Remove from the freezer and use your hand mixer to whip it again for up to 10 minutes. 6. Add in the essential oils. Whip again for 1 minute. 7. Scoop the mixture into a 10 ounce jar. 8. This cream is best used after washing your hair.
FAQs ABOUT THINGS TO MIX SHEA BUTTER WITHCan you mix shea butter and rose water?When combining shea butter and rose water it’s important to use an emulsifying wax (such as BTMS50). This emulsifier allows you to combine fat and water into one smooth mixture that won’t separate. In addition, the use of rose water means your mixture will spoil faster. So, including a preservative is a must. Can I add lemon juice to shea butter?Although you could use shea butter and lemon juice in a skincare blend, this could be harmful if done incorrectly because:
So, if you are going to use lemon juice in your shea butter recipe, consider following these guidelines:
Can I mix honey with shea butter?Some people use honey and shea butter together as a pre-shampoo hair mask. When doing this, it helps to include a liquid oil – such as olive, grapeseed or hemp oil – to give the mixture a softer and creamier consistency. To make the hair mask, combine:
To use the hair mask:
CONCLUSIONWhether it’s herbs, essential oils, carrier oils or butters, there’s a variety of ingredients that you can use with shea butter. However, finding the right one for you does take some trial and error. I hope that the ideas in this article have been helpful and that they ignite your curiosity in terms of how to make your own shea butter recipes. You Might Also Enjoy: DIY Facial Oil Recipes for Glowing Skin: Acne-Prone, Oily, Dry, Sensitive, Combination & Aging Skin Aloe Vera or Shea Butter for Sunburn: Which Is Better? Grapeseed Oil vs Jojoba Oil for Skin: Which Is Better & How to Use DIY Lavender Essential Oil Recipes for Hair Growth & Thickness What To Mix (And Not) With Rosehip Oil For Face – The Ultimate Guide How to Mix Essential Oils for Hair Growth: A Step-by-Step Guide with Dilution Chart How to Infuse Herbs In Oil for Hair Growth: Best Herbs and Oils, Fastest Method and DIY Recipe Tea Rinses for Hair Growth: Beginner’s Guide with Top Herbs and Recipes How do you mix shea butter for glowing skin?Ingredients:. 1/4 cup shea butter.. 1/4 cup mango butter.. 1/4 cup jojoba oil.. 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder – optional.. 10-15 drops of essential oil – optional.. What can I add to shea butter to make it creamy?Put the chunks of shea in a bowl or stand mixer like a KitchenAid. Start whipping it on high, scrape down the butter that sticks to the sides, and keep whipping until it looks homogenous. Slowly add carrier oils and essential oils as needed and keep whipping until it's the right consistency. And you're done!
What to make with shea butter?Top 10 DIY Projects with Shea Butter!. Shea butter natural lotion or moisturizer.. Shea butter base for homemade deodorant.. Shea butter homemade lip balm.. Shea butter under-eye wrinkle remover.. Shea butter base for homemade makeup or foundation.. Shea butter sunscreen.. Shea butter natural cuticle cream.. Is shea butter a carrier oil?Shea Butter is not a carrier oil, but its natural, beneficial properties make it a lipid suitable for aromatherapy work. Shea Butter is highly moisturizing, has a smooth, creamy texture and can be included in massage blends, lotions, creams and other natural skin care products.
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