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DIY LOTION WITH SHEA BUTTER

Do you ever find yourself playing detective, carefully scanning product labels before making a purchase? It can be a bit overwhelming, especially when so many body care products—supposedly natural or organic—are packed with questionable ingredients! That’s one of the reasons I love making my own. I get to control exactly what goes into my products, and it’s such a fun process! Come along with me as I share how to make your own luxurious shea butter lotion.

Non greasy shea butter lotion recipe

In my journey of healing, I became increasingly aware of the massive toxic burden in our modern world, and a big part of that is the products we use on our skin. Did you know that our skin, the largest organ in our body, quickly absorbs whatever we put on it? It’s a sobering thought, especially when we consider just how many commercial personal care products are packed with harmful chemicals.

This lotion is the perfect solution for when you want a light, non-greasy moisturizer made with only the purest, most natural ingredients. I’m excited to share with you how to make lotion with shea butter—I think you’ll love it!

Taking it into my own hands with DIY lotion 

In my quest for the purest, most natural skincare, I decided to try making some products myself. After all, creating things has always been a huge passion of mine.

What I quickly discovered is that making your own organic skincare is not only fun but incredibly rewarding! One of my favorite things to make is lotion. While I love DIY skincare, makeup is one area I don’t usually tackle—check out my review of 100% Pure makeup here for more on that.

I just find it so satisfying to blend ingredients that don’t naturally mix and turn them into a smooth, light, and luxurious lotion. It’s like a little magic every time!

How do you make your own lotion?

When you make lotion, you’re creating an emulsion—essentially forcing two ingredients that don’t naturally mix to combine. It’s similar to the process of making homemade mayonnaise!

My favorite tool for making lotion is a food processor. While a blender works too, I find that the food processor gives the most consistent results.

Cleanliness is crucial when making skincare products, especially when they contain water. I suggest cleaning all your equipment with a weak bleach solution and allowing it to air dry before starting. This helps prevent introducing any bacteria into your recipe.

For the water component, I highly recommend using distilled water. This ensures that the lotion remains as pure as possible, free from any unwanted contaminants that could affect the final product.

How to make lotion with shea butter directions

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3/4 cup jojoba oil
  • 5 TBSP shea butter
  • 2 TBSP beeswax
  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 1/2 tsp preservative
  • 96 drops essential oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Measure the jojoba oil, shea butter, and beeswax into a heat-safe glass container, such as a pitcher.
  2. Create a double boiler by placing the pitcher on a cloth in a pan of water.
  3. Heat the water to a gentle simmer until the shea butter and beeswax are completely melted.
  4. Pour the hot oil mixture into a food processor.
  5. Turn the food processor on, and in a small, slow stream, gradually pour the distilled water into the food processor.
  6. Allow the food processor to run for another minute or so, letting the emulsion form.
  7. Ensure the lotion mixture stays below 176°F (80°C).
  8. Add the preservative and essential oils, if using, and let the food processor run for another minute.
  9. Pour the lotion into glass containers.
  10. Store in a cool, dark place at room temperature.

Enjoy your homemade, luxurious lotion!

Natural preservative for homemade lotion

When making homemade lotions that contain water, it’s crucial to use a preservative.

Hold up, though—don’t we usually try to avoid preservatives in our food?

I had the same hesitation at first. But here’s the thing: when we make something with water and store it at room temperature, we really do need to add something to keep it fresh and prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria or mold.

I’ve found a natural preservative that works great, and it’s one I feel comfortable using—Optiphen Plus. It’s paraben-free and formaldehyde-free, which is exactly why I love it. That’s the preservative I recommend when making lotion with shea butter.

If you prefer to go preservative-free, you can store your homemade lotion in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind, the shelf life will be shorter.

Now that we’ve covered the essentials, let’s get started on making some beautiful lotion!

Customize your DIY lotion

What’s even more fun is when you get to experiment and play around with ingredients. That’s when things get really exciting!

In this recipe for making lotion with shea butter, I’ve used jojoba oil as the liquid oil and shea butter. But here’s the best part—you can totally swap these out for other oils and butters that suit your preferences! You could try sweet almond oil and cocoa butter, or even avocado oil and coconut oil. The possibilities are endless, and each combination will give your lotion a unique feel and scent!

Make it smell pretty and do even more

Essential oils are such a fun addition to homemade lotions! You can use a single oil, a pre-mixed blend, or even create your own custom blend.

Some essential oils are fantastic for their anti-aging properties, making them perfect for homemade lotions. For example, lavender oil is packed with beneficial ingredients for the skin and has a beautiful scent.

A couple of my favorite pre-mixed blends from Plant Therapy are Soft Skin and Bouquet. Soft Skin is filled with oils that help to soften and renew the skin, offering lovely anti-aging benefits. Bouquet has a gorgeous, floral scent that’s perfect for a soothing lotion. There are so many other beautiful blends to choose from as well.

And of course, you can get creative and mix your own! If you’re looking for natural gift ideas, I’ve shared some essential oil gift ideas here.

If you’re dealing with skin rashes or itchy skin, I’ve got a post with info on which essential oils can help with that too!

Is commercial natural skincare the real deal?

I’ve come to realize just how much our personal care and skincare products truly matter. To reduce our personal toxic load, it’s much better to use pure, natural ingredients and avoid synthetic and artificial substances.

There are plenty of skincare and personal care products on the market that are labeled as “natural” or even “organic,” but are they really the best choice?

Sadly, the answer is often no. Many so-called natural skincare products still contain ingredients that aren’t actually natural, and ones I’d rather avoid.

If you’re looking for some of my favorite non-toxic cleaning products, check out this post here. I also have a great tallow lotion recipe for you here!

Benefits of shea butter

Shea butter is an incredible plant-based ingredient that’s both moisturizing and soothing for the skin. It’s rich in fatty acids, as well as vitamins A and E, and has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great choice for revitalizing and nourishing your skin (source).

When choosing between unrefined and refined shea butter, I recommend going with unrefined if you can. It retains more of its beneficial nutrients compared to the refined version. The only downside is that it has a stronger smell, but in my opinion, the extra benefits make it worth it!

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, making your own skincare products, like homemade lotion with shea butter, is not only a fun and rewarding experience but also an empowering way to ensure you’re using the purest, most natural ingredients. By choosing wholesome oils, butters, and essential oils, you can create a personalized lotion that nourishes your skin and keeps it free from harmful chemicals.

Whether you’re experimenting with different oils, blending your own essential oils, or using natural preservatives like Optiphen Plus, the process allows you to have full control over what goes onto your skin. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce your toxic load and embrace a cleaner, more natural skincare routine.

So, get creative and enjoy the process! With a little knowledge and the right ingredients, you can make your own luxurious, non-toxic lotion that’s perfect for your skin.

15 CLEANEST PAISLEY TATTOOS THAT YOU WILL LOVE

Paisley patterns, with their intricate swirls and teardrop shapes, have been captivating cultures for centuries. In the world of tattoos, paisley designs have experienced a resurgence, offering a fresh and sophisticated take on a timeless classic. In this exploration, we’ll delve into the allure of paisley tattoos and showcase some of the most stunning and clean examples that are sure to inspire. Keep reading!

THE HISTORY OF PAISLEY

If you refer to it as paisley print, you’re likely from a Western background. This design, which dates back to 221 AD, actually originated in Persia.

In the Middle East, the pattern remains highly popular and is traditionally called boteh jegheh. In Tamil culture, it’s known as mankolam due to its resemblance to a mango.

The global popularity of this print can be traced to the silk trade. In the 17th century, the East India Company began exporting shawls adorned with these designs to the UK. The British loved the look, but importing these intricate shawls, often made from a combination of tapestry and weaving, proved costly and time-consuming.

The pattern earned its familiar name when Scottish weavers in the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, started producing it on a larger scale. From then on, it became widely known as the paisley print.

WHAT DOES THE BOTEH JEGHEH MEAN?

The paisley print was originally inspired by the flowers of the cypress tree, a symbol of life and eternity in pre-Islamic Zoroastrianism, a religion that still exists in remote regions today.

As a monotheistic faith, Zoroastrianism is believed to have influenced Christian and Judaic traditions, possibly even inspiring the Judeo-Christian concept of the Tree of Life. Central to Zoroastrian belief is the idea of dualism, the ongoing struggle between good and evil—a concept subtly mirrored in the boteh jegheh pattern, which resembles the Yin-Yang symbol, representing the balance of opposites in nature.

Since the pattern symbolizes life and eternity, it also naturally represents fertility. Some even find humor in the fact that paisley is often used in tie designs, with the pattern pointing toward a person’s groin, suggesting that ancient symbols can retain their original meanings in unexpected ways.

In Tamil culture, the pattern is embraced due to its resemblance to a mango, a fruit considered a symbol of peace, prosperity, and good health.

PAISLEY IN POP CULTURE

Since its rise to popularity in the 17th century, paisley has adorned many famous figures—from Oscar Wilde to Jennifer Aniston!

The Beatles were also fans of the print, with John Lennon famously giving his Rolls Royce a makeover featuring a groovy, paisley-inspired design.

PAISLEY TATTOO IDEAS

Paisley, like many timeless designs, carries a rich history that has seamlessly blended into our modern cultural mood board. If you’re considering a paisley tattoo, take a moment to reflect on the majestic history you’re embracing before taking the plunge. Looking for stunning inspiration? Browse our gallery for some beautiful paisley designs!

CONCLUSION

The paisley tattoo has emerged as a captivating and versatile choice for those seeking a visually striking and meaningful piece of body art. Its intricate patterns and rich history offer a unique blend of tradition and contemporary style. As the popularity of paisley tattoos continues to grow, it’s clear that this iconic pattern will remain a cherished and enduring choice for generations to come.