However, oil can have a drying affect on the skin, so it’s not always the best moisturizer on its own. Yes, as strange as it sounds, oils can actually dry-out your skin! So, I started looking into other all-natural options and discovered the moisturizing capabilities of pure shea butter, which for some reason, I had been previously intimidated to try. I’m so glad I got over that.
Initially, I tried sticking to my usual routine with the raw shea butter, using it straight-up as a lotion. It has a soft, putty-like texture that melts in your hands, but it was almost too putty-like and left a heavy feeling on my skin. Hence, why I finally decided to try making a lotion with it. Keeping things as simple as possible, I paired the raw shea butter with pure olive oil, which is a good source of vitamins A and E. The result is a rich and buttery cream that keeps my skin healthy and supple. I use this cream daily after washing my face, and love how it makes my skin feel! — My Favorite 2-Ingredient Lotion Makes about 5 ounces Ingredients: 4 ounces raw shea butter (I ordered this brand in ivory) 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Directions: Gently melt the shea butter over the stove using a double boiler. (I just fill a 2-quart saucepan with a couple inches of water, then fit one of my oven-safe serving bowls over the top to create a make-shift double boiler.) Tip: If you don’t have a food scale to measure the shea butter, simply cut the one-pound block into roughly 4 evenly-sized pieces. They’ll each be about 4 ounces.
Stir the olive oil into the melted butter, then place the mixture in the fridge to cool for 30 to 40 minutes, until it’s at least half-way solidified again. Then all you have to do is use a hand mixer to beat the mix until the lotion has a creamy texture, which takes about 5 minutes. (I tried stirring it with a spatula first, but the hand mixer makes the texture MUCH better!)
Transfer the lotion into a glass jar, and use as often as desired! It should last for at least 6 months, if not longer.
Notes:
You’ll notice that many store-bought lotions contain water as one of the first ingredients, which gives them a thinner and more liquid-like texture. If you want a moisturizer similar to that, you’ll need to add a preservative to the mix, as adding water will make the lotion spoil quickly without it. I didn’t want to work with preservatives, which is why I stuck to this easy 2-ingredient formula.
If you’d like your lotion to have a scent, you can add one or more of your favorite essential oils to the mix.
Enjoy! — Reader Feedback: Have you ever made your own lotion before?
