This simple DIY shea butter lotion recipe (made with just 3 ingredients) is the perfect moisturizer for the whole body, face included, and may be used for acne-prone and aging skin.
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I’ll guide you, step-by-step, through how to make shea butter lotion, using shea butter and no coconut oil (because coconut oil can and will clog pores). The final product is a non-greasy, 100% natural moisturizer, with a creamy consistency and skin-soothing properties.
This recipe is used just like store-bought body lotions: to moisturize the face, hands, feet, legs, arms. Technically, this is more of a homemade body butter recipe: a thick moisturizing cream versus a pumpable lotion. (Make pumpable lotion recipe here.)
But whatever you call it, it’s one thing: AMAZING!
What is Shea Butter?
Shea butter comes from the “nut” (or pit) of the fruit found on the Karite Tree. It is soft, compared to cocoa butter, and has a strong scent when it’s purchased in an unrefined state.
I use unrefined shea butter in body-care recipes, but if you don’t care for the (natural) fragrance, I recommend using refined shea butter. Shea butter softens and moisturizes the skin, making it perfect for homemade lotion, shaving cream, and lip balm.
Benefits of Shea Butter
Shea butter is the main ingredient used to make homemade body lotion and many other skin care products.
- It’s naturally rich in vitamins and fatty acids, like vitamin A and vitamin E.
- It contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and as an anti-aging product. There’s even evidence that shea butter could help with wrinkles.
- Shea butter helps to combat dry skin. It’s an emollient: traps moisture on the skin without clogging pores. There’s also some evidence to suggest that it may help to alleviate eczema symptoms and soften scar tissue. Source: Medical News Today
- Shea butter contains stearic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid, that allows the butter to spread smoothly on skin without tension. This makes it ideal for a body and face moisturizer since it will melt right into the skin!
I personally use shea butter moisturizer every night before bed. And I’ve seen the texture and softness of my skin improve.
Before You Get Started: Ingredients & Tools
The natural ingredients can be found at most health food stores or online via Amazon. Each ingredient is carefully chosen for its natural moisturizing properties.
Video Recipe Tutorial
How to Make Shea Butter Lotion: Step-By-Step Instructions
Here’s the best way to make shea butter lotion, step by step.
Step 1: Melt Shea Butter
Heat the shea butter to melt it, don’t burn it. To avoid burning the shea butter, create a DIY double boiler. This will allow you to melt the shea butter without it directly touching the heat.
Place a medium-size glass bowl over a sauce pan filled 1/4 the way full with water. The glass bowl should sit just on top of the saucepan, without touching the water in the pan.
Over medium heat, allow the water in the saucepan to simmer. Then add the shea butter and melt.
Once the shea butter has fully melted (about 2-3 minutes), turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the heat.
Step 2: Add Nourishing Carrier Oil
Stir 1 teaspoon of arrowroot starch into the liquid oil of choice (grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, OR jojoba oil) and whisk to combine. Pour the oil (and arrowroot starch whisked in, if using) into the shea butter.
You can skip the arrowroot starch and add the oil directly to the shea butter at this step. The arrowroot creates a non-greasy lotion.
How do you make non-greasy shea butter lotion? Adding arrowroot starch, which is similar to cornstarch, is the best option. You’ll find this ingredient in the baking section at most grocery stores or online. This ingredient may also be used in cooking: make almond flour cookies and waffles or thicken stir-fry sauce.
Step 3: Cool in the Fridge
At this point, the shea butter and oil mixture should be cooler (along with the bowl).
If not, allow it to rest for a few minutes. Then place the mixture in the fridge and allow it to solidify (about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on location in the fridge and temperature).
Alternatively, speed up the process by placing the bowl in the freezer.
Step 4: Add Essential Oils
Once the mixture is opaque and firm (not solid as a rock), remove the bowl from the fridge.
Add the essential oil (or a combination of essential oils) of choice, if desired. Add up to 15 drops of skin-safe essential oils to this mixture. A few of my favorite essential oils to add are listed in the recipe below.
Step 5: Whip the Shea Butter
Use the whisk attachment and an electric mixer, hand mixer, or a fork to whisk the mixture until it appears “whipped.” This doesn’t take very long, just a few seconds using a mixer and a bit longer with a fork.
Step 6: Spoon Lotion into a Jar
Now you get to enjoy this amazing homemade lotion recipe and all its benefits (we’ll talk about the awesome benefits in a minute). Or, share the lotion as a gift.
Choose a beautiful glass jar and spoon your creation into the jar. Add a label, if desired. And store the lotion at room temperature in a cool place (like a bathroom cabinet) for up to 6 months.
How to Choose a Carrier Oil
You can use shea butter alone as a body and face moisturizer, or you can mix it with a carrier oil to make a whipped body butter recipe or lotion (like this recipe).
Here’s what I recommend for a nourishing carrier oil to mix with the shea butter. The options absorb easily in the skin, making them the best options for a non-greasy lotion.
Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is made from a shrub that grows in Northern Mexico and the Southeast US. Jojoba is an emollient: a natural moisturizer that softens and moisturizes skin. Jojoba is the closest to our skin’s natural oil, making it ideal for all skin types.
Grapeseed Oil: This oil comes from pressed grape seeds. It has high amounts of fatty acids, vitamin E, and antibacterial properties. Grapeseed oil may be a great option for aging skin and for those with acne-prone skin.
Sweet Almond Oil: Made from sweet almonds and rich in vitamin A & E, fatty acids, and proteins.
Virgin Coconut oil is also an option, but as I’ll share in a minute, I don’t care for using coconut oil on my face. If you’re just using this lotion on your body, coconut oil may be a good option.
How to Use
Scoop a small amount of shea butter lotion out of the jar using your finger, then rub between your hands. The heat from your hands will soften the shea butter. Massage into your skin: face, arms, legs, feet, dry patches, etc.
A little goes a long way.
For the face, apply this moisturizer after cleansing (my favorite natural face cleansers) and toning (a spritz of rose water is my favorite). If you use any serums, apply a facial serum before applying the lotion.
What’s the Shelf Life?
This natural lotion recipe doesn’t use any preservatives. Store-bought lotions add preservatives to formulas out of necessity. Without a preservative, mold and other bacteria will grow in a water-based lotion.
This recipe doesn’t need a preservative because it doesn’t use water in the formula. This means you can make a long lasting moisturizing lotion, without using any preservatives and don’t need to worry about mold growth. Woohoo!
Store the final product at room temperature, in a cool dry place, for up to 6 months. I recommend keeping homemade shea butter lotion away from heat, like a hot steamy shower, since it will melt slightly. This recipe is intended for home use; not to be sold commercially.
How to Add Essential Oils
If you want to scent your own lotion, essential oils are the best way to do this! Along with their scent, essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin for nourishment, and provide antibacterial and soothing properties.
Add one essential oil or a combination of essential oils, totally 15 drops, to this lotion recipe. The best essential oils for homemade lotion are…
- Roman Chamomile
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Jasmine
- Carrot Seed
- Rose
- Lavender
- Tea tree
- Sandalwood
- Geranium
Essential Oils to Avoid: Avoid citrus essential oils (like lemon or orange essential oil) if you plan to wear this lotion during the day when exposed to the sun. Citrus essential oils are photosensitive and can cause your skin to develop a rash or sunburn.
Lotion Without Coconut Oil, Here’s Why
You’ll notice that this recipe doesn’t use any coconut oil. A lot of lotion and homemade whipped body butter recipes rely heavily on coconut oil.
Coconut oil is not the cure-all. Gasp, I know. That statement is practically heresy in the natural living community. Toothpaste? Coconut oil. Smoothies? Yep, coconut oil. A boo-boo? More coconut oil. We use it for everything! I’ve learned the magical oil isn’t always suitable for every need.
Many years ago, I decided it was time to ditch the toxins found in our bathroom. From lotions to body wash to makeup, the amounts of toxins I put on my body was astounding. With the urge for simplicity and natural living, I started developing my own replacements for things like foundation powder and lotion.
One of my very first DIYs was a simple homemade moisturizer using coconut oil. After a few weeks of using this moisturizer on my face, I experienced multiple break outs, daily peeling, and dry skin patches. Here’s why…
There’s nothing wrong with coconut oil, but from a skin care perspective, it’s not the best moisturizer option for the face. If you use it on your face, it’s likely to clog pores and cause breakouts due to its chemical composition.
Shea butter does not clog pores and is the best moisturizer option. So skip the coconut oil on your face and instead turn to shea butter and a non-clogging carrier oil!
FAQs
6 More Ways to Use Shea Butter
- Use shea butter to make homemade deodorant. You’ll also need arrowroot starch for homemade deodorant.
- Combine shea butter, coconut oil, and castile soap to make homemade moisturizing shaving cream.
- Combine butter, carrier oil, and beeswax to make Shea Butter Lip Balm or a custom DIY Lip Balm.
- Jojoba oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and soothing herbs come together to create DIY lotion bars.
- Shea butter, aloe vera, chamomile, and coconut oil make a fantastic homemade diaper rash cream.
- Use shea butter combined with mango butter and cocoa butter to make a customized body butter.
Homemade Moisturizing Shea Butter Lotion Recipe (Without Coconut Oil)
Equipment
- 1 electric mixer or fork
- 1 medium-size heat safe bowl
- 1 medium-size sauce pan
- 1 4-ounce glass storage jar (or larger)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shea butter (4 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot flour starch (optional, to make a non-greasy lotion)
- 2 tablespoons nourishing carrier oil such as: jojoba, sweet almond oil, or grapeseed oil. This can even be coconut oil or olive oil (if not using on the face).
- 5 drops lavender essential oil optional*
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil optional*
- 3 drops carrot seed essential oil optional*
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil optional*
Instructions
Step 1: Melt Shea Butter
- To melt the shea butter, make a DIY double boiler. This will allow you to melt the shea butter without it directly touching the heat.
- Place a medium-size glass bowl over a sauce pan filled 1/4 the way full with water. The glass bowl should sit just on top of the saucepan, without touching the water in the pan.
- Over medium heat, allow the water in the saucepan to simmer. Then add the shea butter and melt.
- Once the shea butter has fully melted (about 2-3 minutes), turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the heat.
Step 2: Add Nourishing Carrier Oil
- Stir 1 teaspoon of arrowroot starch into the liquid oil of choice (grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, OR jojoba oil) and whisk to combine. Pour the oil (and arrowroot starch whisked in, if using) into the shea butter.
- NOTE: You can skip the arrowroot starch and add the oil directly to the shea butter at this step. The arrowroot creates a non-greasy lotion.
Step 3: Cool
- At this point, the shea butter and oil mixture should be cooler (along with the bowl). If not, allow it to rest for a few minutes.
- Place the mixture in the fridge and allow it to solidify (about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on location in the fridge and temperature). Alternatively, speed up the process by placing the bowl in the freezer.
Step 4: Add Essential Oils
- Once the mixture is opaque and firm (not solid as a rock), remove the bowl from the fridge.
- Add the essential oil (or a combination of essential oils) of choice, if desired. Add up to 15 drops of skin-safe essential oils to this mixture. A few of my favorite essential oils to add are listed in the recipe above. You can add your favorite essential oil or oils, not the ones listed above (if desired).
Step 5: Whip
- Use the whisk attachment and an electric mixer, hand mixer, or a fork to whisk the mixture until it appears "whipped." This doesn't take very long, just a few seconds using a mixer and a bit longer with a fork.
Step 6: Store
- Choose a beautiful glass jar (4 ounces or larger) and spoon your creation into the jar. Add a label, if desired. And store the lotion at room temperature in a cool place (like a bathroom cabinet) for up to 6 months.
Video
Notes
- Roman Chamomile
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Jasmine
- Carrot Seed
- Rose
- Lavender
- Tea tree
- Sandalwood
- Geranium
Natural Body-Care Simplified
Learn how to make your own body and beauty products with simple ingredients.
Yes!. I am routinely searching for coconut-free options. It’s an allergy that many don’t think exists. But it does. Shea butter is my best friend as is apricot oil. Never thought to combine them. Will have to try this out!. 🙂 Thank you.
Wonderful, Jennifer! I’m quite a fan of shea butter too :). Enjoy!!
I am excited to try and make this lotion but i don’t understand what you mean by 2 TB in your ingredients:
2 TB skin-nourishing oil, such as: jojoba, avocado, apricot, or sweet almond oil. This can even be coconut oil.
that might be a stupid question but what is that
Hey Jessie, You’ll need 2 tablespoons of a nourishing oil. The “such as” suggestions are options you can use based on your own preference and skin. I like jojoba oil, but everyone is different. Hope that clarifies! Let me know if you have any questions.
Just found your site, it’s such a gem. Can’t wait to try out all these wonderful recipes. I wonder where did you get that white waffle weave towel as shown in the second picture? Been wanting to get these but couldn’t find one. Thx!
Thank you, Char. I found that towel in the dollar bins at Target a few months ago. I’ve also seen them at HomeGoods.
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I tried another homemade lotion recipe with beeswax and I found it to be too hard to spread for my taste.
Just curious — could I use sunflower seed oil as the oil in this recipe? I have a lot on hand as I use it in my face oil. Would the lotion be about the same consistency as if I used the others you mentioned? Also, if I don’t use essential oils, should I increase the amount of base oil?
Thanks so much! So glad to have found your site 🙂
Hey CC, I’ve never used sunflower seed oil, but if you already enjoy this oil on your skin, I think it will probably work very well! If you don’t use any of the essential oils, you can keep the amount of nourishing oil the same. No need to increase that amount. The essential oils don’t add any “oil” to the recipe, just added benefits :). Enjoy!!
I’m very glad you found Live Simply too. Welcome!
Thanks for your reply! I gave it a try with sunflower oil this afternoon and it worked well. It feels pretty oily/liquidy when I first put it on (though it’s hardish in the jar), but once I start rubbing it in it feels great. It’s a couple hours later and I still feel moisturized but not greasy.
A quick idea for any fellow lazy readers out there: I melted the shea butter in a small mason jar that I put into a pan of water, then after cooling it in the freezer I just whipped it with a fork right in the jar. It seemed to create the whipped cream consistency just as well as a mixer. And if you store the lotion in the same jar, you’re left with only a single fork to wash 🙂
I’ll definitely try the essential oils next time to add some scent. Thanks again!
Great tip, CC! Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad the sunflower oil worked well. I used to apply multiple “coats” of lotion a day, but since using this lotion I’ve found my skin stays nice and moisturized all day long. I’m so glad you’re finding the same thing to be true.
Enjoy!! And congrats on making homemade lotion :).
Hi there! I am very excited to try this recipe, as I have like many other readers, been having problems finding non-coconut-oil recipes. I suffer from oily skin and I will be using cocoa butter instead of shea. I was wondering if you had any luck with adding other ingredients to this mixture. I am curious about pure aloe vera gel? If it is 99% pure aloe vera gel and the other 1% I believe is alcohol, then would it mix well? I know adding water or water based ingredients is a no-no. But in your opinion do you think aloe vera gel would mix?
Hey Kiana, I’ve never tried adding other ingredients to this mix. A pure aloe vera like the one I use in my hand sanitizer may work? But, I don’t have any experience trying other ingredients in this recipe. https://livesimply.me/2014/09/17/diy-hand-sanitizer/. If you try it, let me know how it goes.
Crazy question, but where do you get the jar shown in the picture???? I LOVE it! It would be perfect for giving as a gift!
Lol, Grace. Not crazy at all :). I get asked this question a lot. I found this particular jar at Target months ago in the dollar section.
I’ve been looking for a recipe to make for Christmas presents (and for myself!) and this one sounds great. I have a few questions before I get started.
1 – My skin is super oily… what is the best oil you would recommend to use? I use coconut oil to clean my face every night and then wash it off, which works great for removing my makeup. But, I’ve tried a whipped coconut oil recipe to use as lotion and it just doesn’t absorb into my skin.
2 – I live in Florida, so should this be kept in the refrigerator?
3 – It would be a little too costly for me to buy all of those essential oils, so if you had to pick 2 or 3 oils, what would you recommend and how much should I use?
Thanks so much!!!
Hey Laura, Here are a few answers :):
1/ I have very oily skin too. I like jojoba oil. I’ve had the same issue with coconut oil not absorbing in my skin.
2/ I live in Florida too :). I keep my lotion on the counter. It won’t melt, even on the hottest of Florida days.
3/ I would choose the oils that you’ll be able to use most commonly use in other recipes: lavender and tea tree. You’ll be able to use both those oils in many cleaning recipes and other cosmetics. There are many recipes calling for those oils on the blog under cleaning and cosmetics :).
Enjoy!!!
Awesome that we have a few things in common! Thanks so much for the quick response! I can’t wait to try the recipe and to give the women in my family this lotion as a Christmas gift!!! Take care and I’ll keep following your blog for sure. 🙂
Thank you, Laura :). Lol, I thought the same thing…we have a few things in common :).
Thanks Kristin!!!
Hi Kristin,
I am allergic to coconut oil so looking forward to trying this and giving some away as Christmas gifts. I have a few questions:
1) If I want to create my own fragrance, can I use different essential oils in the same proportions you mention? Or are some of them specifically necessary for consistency, preservative effect, etc.?
2) Can I add vanilla extract for scent, or will that make the lotion spoil faster?
3) Can I store this in metal tins instead of glass jars? (like the ones at Freund)
Thanks so much for this tutorial! One of the few out there not using coconut oil!
Hey Shae, I love giving this lotion away for Christmas presents! Here are the answers to your questions:
1/ Yes, you can. You can stick with the amounts called for, adding your own skin-safe oils.
2/ Vanilla would be lovely in this recipe! You could either use vanilla essential oil or vanilla extract. Just careful with the vanilla extract as it’s made from pure vodka if someone has sensitive skin, depending on the amount you use. Luckily, because the vanilla extract is made with alcohol, the lotion will not spoil faster (just avoid water in the lotion, as it can cause bacteria growth).
3/Metal can cause the oils to leach, so may not be the best choice for long-term storage. If you want a metal-look, then I would use stainless steel containers (if they exist) or glass.
You’re very welcome! Enjoy!!!
When would you put vanilla extract in? Before or after freezing? Thanks!
Hey Shae, I’d add the vanilla after freezing.
I just wanted to say thank you. One of my children has a coconut allergy, and I have struggled for years to find skin care that doesn’t contain coconut. I can’t wait to make this! My daughter will be so happy that she can actually kiss me and touch my face again.
Vinessa, You’re so welcome :). I think coconut allergies are more and more common today. Enjoy!!
Hi! You mentioned in one of the other comments that there is a link to a page with other EO’s that are good for your skin, but I’m not seeing that link. Am I blind? Is it possible to point out where that link is? I really want to make a sort of fall-chai smelling lotion but don’t know if the EO’s that would make that smell are safe for skin! Thanks!
Hey Kari, I really enjoy Plant Therapy. That may be the page you’re referring to? http://www.planttherapy.com/
You could also use an herbal infused oil. I personally love calendula infused oil in this. Nice simple Recipe. I do cut down on the amount of EO due to the scent and for sensitivity reasons from EO. Vanilla is nice if scent is what you are looking for.
That’s a great idea, Amy!
I believe I am allergic to Shea butter (I have reactions to latex). I tried this recipe but my face is now even more dry than it was. Is there an alternative to shea butter?
Hey Lisa, You can try cocoa butter or some people like mango butter. I love cocoa butter, but don’t have any experience with mango butter.
ok thank you Kristin for your help!
What about the hemp oil kristin do you think it is refined or not being organic and cold pressed? Thanks, sue
Sue, I’m not sure about the hemp oil. Is it a brand name hemp oil? If so, I would call the company or check on their website for more information.
Kristin, the hemp oil doesnt say if it is refined or not but it says cold pressed and is organic. I actually used sunflower seed oil but find the cream too greasy, is that because of the oil I used? I dont mind it like this on my body but its too much on my face, any ideas? Sue
Hey Sue, I’m guessing the greasy feel is from the sunflower oil. I’ve never used it for body products, but have a feeling that’s the reason.
Thank you so much for this recipe. Coconut oil just seems to sit on my skin and does next to nothing to hydrate me. I have always had dry skin, and living in the New Mexico desert has done nothing to improve the situation. I subscribed to your blog because you don’t seem to be pushing any specific brand of essential oil. I am heartily sick of the (two) big companies talking about how they are better they than anyone else and using scare tactics to keep uninformed people afraid to use any other brand. Keep up these wonderful articles!
You’re very welcome, Melanie! I feel the exact same way about the brand pushing and scare tactics.
Hi there, if I used hemp oil with the shea butter, would I have to keep the moisturiser in the fridge?
Hi, does this recipe melt in warmer temps the way a coconut oil-based butter does? I’m trying to find the right oil combination so this lotion isn’t too greasy but still moisturizing and that won’t melt or liquefy in warm weather. I’m thinking mango butter with either argan or almond oil. Thanks, looking forward to trying this for holiday gifts!
Hey Kathleen, This lotion won’t melt like coconut oil lotion. Of course, I wouldn’t subject it to extreme heat, but it won’t melt like coconut oil would.
I am 51 and my face is like leather. I have been trying the oil cleanse and that didn’t work. I can’t seem to find anything natural for my face that gives me the moisture I need and doesn’t make me break out. Help!! Can I put this lotion on my face?
Hey Lisa, This lotion can be used on both the face and body :).