This is the absolute best shea butter body cream! It feels so luxurious and absorbs perfectly into your skin. Once you learn how to make this DIY body cream, you will never want to use anything else!
The shea butter body cream differs from the average body butter in that it is much softer and thinner- it applies to the skin much smoother.
I have been making my body moisturizer for over 7 years, and this recipe is the best. It works very well with those who have sensitive, dry skin.
My husband has eczema and told me this homemade body cream makes his skin feel so soft and comfortable. I’ve noticed that his skin looks much smoother after using it. Although, I am not saying this is a cure-all for those who suffer from eczema, no matter how much I wish it was.
You can use this cream for:
- Dry skin
- Sunburns
- Sun protection
- Burns
- Scars
- Acne
- Eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis
- Wrinkles
Try out this life-changing DIY body cream!
About the Ingredients
Many of the ingredients can be swapped for another. However, some are a must-have! This section is all about the ingredients and explains the purpose they serve. Recommended alternatives will be listed in their section if some ingredients can be swapped.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is the base foundation of this homemade body cream. It gives the cream its solid foundation. If you do not have access to shea butter, you can substitute it with cocoa butter. The conversion ratio will be 1:1.
Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of shea trees native to West Africa. It has high concentrations of vitamins and fatty acids, making it a perfect ingredient for nourishing your skin. Although shea butter is derived from nuts, it doesn’t contain proteins that can trigger allergies.
This incredible ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent candidate for fighting against multiple skin conditions such as eczema. Shea butter also contains high amounts of vitamins A and E, which are highly antioxidant. Antioxidants are extremely important for their anti-aging properties. The last thing I want to brag about shea butter is its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is completely optional. I chose to include this in my body cream because studies have shown it can reduce eczema symptoms. Having a husband with eczema makes me more conscious about ingredients specifically helpful for this skin condition.
Coconut oil is known for reducing inflammation, keeping the skin moisturized, and its antibacterial properties.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is one of my favorite oils to use. It helps your skin balance moisture content. Almond oil is also high in vitamins A and E. It soaks quickly into the skin and is an excellent moisturizer. Just like with shea butter, almond oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
You can substitute this oil for many different oils, such as:
- Apricot Seed Oil (this is another favorite oil to use)
- Olive Oil
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Grapeseed oil
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil comes from a perennial plant that grows in North America. This oil is unique because it is non-comedogenic. This oil resembles your body’s naturally produced oil, making it unlikely to clog your pores. If your skin experiences random acne breakouts, this oil help to combat it.
Jojoba oil can be substituted with argan oil with a 1:1 ratio.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is derived from castor seeds. It is a natural humectant that can draw moisture from the air into your skin. Keep your skin highly moisturized with its ability to retain and restore moisture.
Castor oil can be substituted with olive oil with a 1:1 ratio.
Aloe Gel
Aloe gel is a must-have for this homemade body cream recipe. It plays a significant role in the texture of the cream and makes it feel lightweight. There are no substitutes that I recommend. Aloe Gel is also a natural humectant. Not only is it highly moisturizing, but it also helps to soothe skin conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
I recommend the ‘Fruit of the Earth’ brand.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is responsible for helping to make homemade body cream easily absorbed into the skin. It also can be used to soothe sunburns and skin itchiness. Cornstarch contains vitamins A, B1, B2, and C and minerals such as zinc, calcium, and iron.
Cornstarch can be substituted with arrowroot with a 1:1 ratio.
Make Your Shea Butter Body Cream Smell Nice
The natural scent of the body cream has a light, pleasant smell. However, if you want a particular scent, it is possible to use either essential oil or perfume oil. Essential oils are basically plant extracts and are very concentrated. Please do not use it on your skin alone; it must be diluted. Perfume oils are exactly how it reads. You can definitely use them in your body butter.
When adding in these oils, use a dropper to better control the amount you are using. Start with 12 drops of the oil and increase in increments until you are happy with the strength of the scent. Learn more about essential oils and how to use them here.
Equipment
- This recipe makes roughly 40 ounces (oz). I use 20 oz square glass jars from dollar tree to store the shea butter body cream. Typically, enough body cream is made by this recipe to fill 2 of these jars. It can be stored in either a plastic or glass container.
- Ziplock bags are an absolute lifesaver. The transfer of the body cream into the container is made easy. Don’t have any Ziplock bags? You can you icing bags too!
- Due to the irregular shape of shea butter, I recommend measuring using a scale.
- An electric hand blender is a must! It would take forever to blend by hand, and it would be tedious to use a regular blender.
- Heat-tolerant glass mixing bowls are used for melting down the shea butter. This recipe calls for the double boil method.
- A second mixing bowl will be used to mix everything together. Just make sure the bowl is large.
Shea Butter Body Cream
Equipment
- Glass or Plastic Container
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- 2 Mixing Bowls At least 1 must be heat-resistant
- Dropper
- Electric Hand Blender
Ingredients
- 5 oz Shea Butter
- 2 tbs Coconut Oil
- 1/2 cup Almond Oil
- 1/4 cup Castor Oil
- 1/4 cup Jojoba Oil
- 12 oz Aloe Gel
- 2 tbs Cornstarch
Instructions
- Place a pan with water in it on the stove. Heat up the water to medium temperature. You want to get the water hot, but it doesn’t have to come to a boil.
- While the water is heating up, measure out 5 oz of shea butter. Place the shea butter into one of the heat-resistant mixing bowls.
- Once the water is thoroughly heated, turn the temperature dial to low and place the bowl into the pan. Ensure the water level is not higher than the bowl; it should not be submerged. As the shea butter is melting, periodically stir. While doing this, add the coconut oil to the shea butter.
- Once the oils are completely melted down, carefully remove the hot bowl from the pan and let it cool to the touch.
- Pour the melted oils into the other mixing bowl and put it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
- Take the oil out of the freezer and break the solidified oil apart. Under the hardened top layer should be liquidity.
- Start adding the aloe gel in large increments into the oil mixture, blending each addition of aloe gel. The body cream will thicken into a whipped consistency.
- Add the cornstarch and blend for a few seconds to mix thoroughly.
- Transfer the body cream into the Ziplock bag and cut one of the corners. Transfer the body cream into your container for storage.
Enjoyed this DIY body cream? Check out my other DIYs here.
