by Better Shea Butter
100%
Natural & Organic
DIRECTIONS, TIPS
& EASY RECIPES
for DIY Body and Hair Products
www.BetterSheaButter.com
TABLE
of Contents
n YOUR SKIN AND SHEA BUTTER
n USEFUL TIPS
n RECIPES
Copyright © 2014 Better Shea Butter. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the
publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
YOUR SKIN
and Shea Butter
YOUR SKIN—THE LARGEST ORGAN OF YOUR BODY
The skin is the largest organ of the body and serves several important functions including protection, regulating body temperature and storing water, fat and vitamins.
Unrefined Shea Butter is an all-natural, chemical-free solution to care for your skin. It is
such an amazing gift of nature, that it is gaining popularity in alleviating the following
conditions: Acne, Eczema, Hives, Psoriasis, Dry Skin, Wrinkles, Stretch Marks, Cracked
Heels, Sun Damage, Skin Rashes (including diaper rash).
Shea Butter is also known as “women’s gold” because it is a valuable source of income
for women in poor communities of West Africa. Using Shea Butter helps you have a
healthy skin, and indirectly assists our village of Ghanaian women.
RAW SHEA BUTTER
Shea Butter comes from a tree called KARITE, which grows in Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso
and other Savanna Grasslands of West Africa. It is a wild-growing tree producing tiny,
almond-like fruit from which Shea Butter is extracted.
It takes Karite trees 20 to 30 years to begin to bear fruit, so the trees must be protected by local communities. In most parts of West Africa, destruction of the Shea tree is
forbidden due to its economic and health benefits.
The Shea butter extraction process is laborious and consist of harvesting, separating
the fruits from the nut, boiling, drying, crushing, milling and finally filtering the butter
from any impurities.
Our Shea Butter is filtered in Ghana, then filtered again once in our US facilities, to
ensure that shells, fruit skins and any other impurities are eliminated. However, darker
particles may be present in its solid form or appear when melted since this is a 100%
natural product extracted from seeds.
IVORY SHEA BUTTER VS. YELLOW SHEA BUTTER
At Better Shea Butter we offer two types of Shea Butter, Ivory and Yellow.
Here’s how they differ:
IVORY
Shea Butter varies from off-white,
to beige to light gray. The shades of
color are inevitable with this natural product, however be reassured
that all Shea Butter from Better Shea
Butter Co. is Grade A, high quality
and fresh, and comes from Ghana in
West Africa.
The smell of Ivory Shea Butter is
slightly nutty, and the consistency is
rich but relatively light when compared to Yellow. All skin types and all
ages including children can benefit
from using Ivory Shea Butter.
YELLOW
Shea Butter has a stronger nutty smell and denser consistency than the Ivory type, it
gives a light gold glow to the skin when applied and it is recommended for more serious skin conditions since it is richer in nutrients.
What gives this Shea Butter its color and added nutrients? Two elements:
1. It is boiled for a shorter period
than the Ivory Butter – which
leaves more of its properties
intact and keeps the color darker
than Ivory.
2. In the milling process, a root
extract from the Borututu Tree
(Cochlospermum Angolensis) is
added to the Shea Butter, which
is responsible for the yellow
tint. This root has been used for
more than a century in Africa as a
beverage to manage conditions
related to the liver, and it is used
externally as a wash and general
antiseptic.
USEFUL
Tips
ALONE OR IN RECIPES
Raw Shea Butter can be used by itself by simply warming up a small amount between
the palms of your hands and applying to the desired areas. An even better use of Raw
Shea Butter is to combine it with other natural ingredients to make lotions tailored to
your skin condition and your personal preference.
STORING
Shea Butter is heat sensitive. If when you received your product it is very soft, put it in
the fridge for 30 minutes or in a cool room for a couple of hours. Otherwise, keep it
stored at room temperature.
MELTING
In melting Shea Butter, use the double-boiler method, as this lets the butter melt more
gently than by using a microwave. You also do not need to melt the Shea Butter all the
way to liquid form, but only until it is soft enough to mix with other ingredients.
WHIPPING SECRET
After you have melted and mixed the Shea Butter with other oils/butters (but not the
essential oils as these get folded in at the very end of each recipe), place the container
in the fridge for about 30-40 minutes, or until there the top and sides of the mix start
solidifying. At this point, using an electric mixer set on High, whip the mixture for at
least 5 minutes.
SHELF LIFE
The shelf life of Shea Butter is 18-24 months, but it can drop to 6-12 months when
mixed with other oils or essences. We apologize for being able to be completely specific on this, all organic products that are not a consumable are not mandated by the FDA
to be tested for exact expiration dates.
FREQUENCY OF USE
Generally, use all lotions and creams once before bed and once in the morning. Shea
Butter is very rich and a small amount goes a long way, so regulate the amount according to your skin.
REFINED, WHITE SHEA BUTTER
We do not recommend using Refined White Shea Butter since this is made using high
heat and chemicals – in some cases Hexane, which is a neuropathic toxin – and although odorless and beautifully white, is has lost the majority of its healing properties
Following is a compilation of best recipes that use Shea Butter as a main ingredient.
We hope you will find them helpful in caring for your skin and hair.
RECIPES
Shea Butter Acne Cream
Shea Butter Anti-Wrinkles Cream
Coconut Shea Body Butter
Cocoa Shea Body Butter
Shea Butter Lip Balm
Shea Butter Eczema Cream
Shea Butter Hair Conditioner
Shea Butter Hair Mask
Shea Peppermint Salve
Shea Butter Soap
Shea Butter Stretch Mark Cream
Shea Butter Sun Screen Lotion (20SPF)
Shea Butter Sunburn Cream
Whipped Lavender Shea Butter
Apricot Shea Body Mousse
Vanilla Body Scrub
SHEA BUTTER ACNE CREAM
Shea Butter is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores. To effectively treat
acne, do not mix it with oils that are in the high comedogenic list, such as Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Sesame Oil.
Also, choose your Essential Oils from one in the list below, since these are believed to
be non-clogging:
Basil, Bergamot, Birch, Cajuput, Camphor, Caraway, Cedar Wood, Chamomile, Garlic,
Grapefruit, Immortelle, Juniper, Lavender, Lemongrass, Myrtle, Sandalwood, Tea Tree.
INGREDIENTS
4oz Raw Shea Butter
20 drops of your choice of Essential Oils from the list above (you can mix two different
Essential Oils, and you can regulate the drops based on preference)
METHOD
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter
Let the shea butter cool off at room temperature for 15 minutes
Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap, then place it in the refrigerator for 45
minutes. (Covering it while in the refrigerator will avoid the butter from absorbing any
odor from items you have in the fridge)
When the top and sides have solidified, take it out of the fridge and whip it on high for
10 minutes.
Fold in 40 drops of your favorite Essential Oil/Oils from the list above and mix evenly.
Place in a PET or glass container.
Back to Recipes
SHEA BUTTER ANTI-WRINKLE CREAM
INGREDIENTS
4oz Raw Shea Butter
2TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
40 drops of Carrot Seed Essential Oil
20 drops of Fennel Essential Oil
METHOD
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter
Remove it from the heat and mix in the Olive Oil
Place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes
Using an electric mixer set on high, whip for 5-10 minutes
Fold in Carrot Seed and Fennel Essential Oils and mix well
Place in a PET or glass container.
Back to Recipes
COCONUT SHEA BODY BUTTER
Body Butter ideal for normal skin types and for people who like Coconut Oil and are
not allergic to it.
INGREDIENTS
4oz Raw Shea Butter
1oz Coconut Oil
1oz cup Almond Oil
20 drops of your favorite Essential Oil
METHOD
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil
Remove it from the heat and mix in the Almond Oil
Place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes
Using an electric mixer set on high, whip for 5-10 minutes
Fold in your choice of Essential Oil and mix well
Place in a PET or glass container.
Back to Recipes
COCOA SHEA BODY BUTTER
This Body Butter is richer than the Coconut Shea Body Butter, helps in relieving dry
skin and in the fading of stretch marks.
INGREDIENTS
6oz Raw Shea Butter
1oz Beeswax
1oz Cocoa Butter
30 drops of your favorite Essential Oil
METHOD
Using a double boiler, melt the beeswax, then add the Shea Butter and cocoa butter
until all ingredients are melted and mixed well
Remove from heat and allow cooling for 10 minutes
Fold in your choice of Essential Oil and mix well
Place in a PET or glass container.
Back to Recipes
SHEA BUTTER LIP BALM
INGREDIENTS
1oz Raw Shea Butter
2oz Beeswax
4oz Sweet Almond Oil
1oz Jojoba Oil
1oz Avocado Oil
15 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
(too much peppermint will sting your
lips, so start with 15 drops and add if
desired)
METHOD
Melt 2oz of beeswax in a small pan until melted.
In a separate pan melt 1oz Shea Butter. When it turns liquid, add in 4oz sweet almond
oil, 1oz Jojoba oil and 1oz avocado oil and stir until blended.
Add in the melted beeswax and your choice of essential oils and stir all ingredients
until fully blended.
Remove from heat and wait about 10 minutes to let the mixture cool off.
Pour the mixture into a lip balm container (tubes or small round or rectangular metal
tins) and let it solidify for about 2 hours before using.
Back to Recipes
SHEA BUTTER ECZEMA CREAM
According to webmd.com, Eczema is caused by a combination of factors that include
genetics, abnormal functions of the immune system, environment, activities that may
cause the skin to be more sensitive and defects in the skin barrier that allow moisture
out and germs in. With this recipe, we are hoping to offer some assistance to those
affected by this skin condition.
INGREDIENTS
4oz Raw Shea Butter
2 TBSP Wheat Germ Oil
20 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
METHOD
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the
Shea Butter
Remove it from the heat and mix in the
Wheat Germ Oil
Place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes
Using an electric mixer set on high, whip for 5-10 minutes
Fold in the Sandalwood and Lavender Essential Oils and mix well
Place in a PET or glass container.
Back to Recipes
TIP: Here is a list of natural ingredients believed to be help in relieving Eczema:
Butters: Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Coconut butter
Base Oils: Wheat germ oil, Almond oil
Essential Oils: Bergamot, Birch, Carrot Seed, Geranium, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Melissa, Myrrh, Patchouli, Pine, Sandalwood
SHEA BUTTER HAIR CONDITIONER
INGREDIENTS
1 cup natural coconut oil (use fractionated coconut oil for lighter product)
½ cup Raw Shea Butter
½ cup Sweet Almond or Grape Seed Oil
1/2 TSP of Vitamin E Oil
6 drops of your favorite Essential Oil
METHOD
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil
Remove it from the heat and mix in your other oils, making sure everything is mixed
well.
Let it cool for about 1 hour until it reaches room temperature.
Massage on wet, clean hair, let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse well.
Back to Recipes
SHEA BUTTER HAIR MASK
INGREDIENTS
2 TBSP Raw Shea Butter
3 TBSP Olive Oil
2 TBSP of your favorite hair conditioner
METHOD
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter
Remove from heat and stir in Olive Oil
Take off the heat, add your favorite hair conditioner and mix well
Massage on clean, wet hair, and leave overnight
Rinse off in the morning
Back to Recipes
SHEA PEPPERMINT* SALVE
Use to relieve sore muscles or small aches, or simply to soften up cuticles or dry hands.
INGREDIENTS
3oz Raw Shea Butter
2oz Beeswax
(note that Beeswax takes a lot longer to
melt than butters, so be patient)
2oz Jojoba Oil
60 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
METHOD
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the
Shea Butter and the Jojoba Oil
In a separate container, slowly heat the beeswax until melted
Combine the two melted ingredients in one container and add 1tsp of Peppermint
Essential Oil
Wax gets solid fast, so quickly pour in a glass, PET or metal tin container and let it cool
completely before use.
Back to Recipes
* Note on Peppermint: Peppermint Oil is stronger than other Essential Oils and some people may experience a burning sensation or allergic reaction. Please be aware of any reactions and either lower the
amount of this Oil in your recipe, or substitute it with Eucalyptus Oil, which has similar properties but
isn’t as overwhelming.
SHEA BUTTER SOAP
Note: Soap making is quite a craft and takes some practice, the right techniques as
well as several ingredients and tools. To keep things simple, here is the easiest Shea
Butter Soap Recipe you can experiment with. If you feel more adventurous and have
the time, there are an infinite number of videos and resources on the web that will
help you enjoy soap making.
INGREDIENTS:
4 cubes of Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap base (these usually sell at Michaels, Hobby
Lobby or other craft stores and come in 2LBS tubs)
1 TBSP of Raw Shea Butter
½ TSP of Vitamin E Oil
24-30 drops of Lavender Fragrance (not Essential Oil but actual Fragrance used in soap
making, found in craft stores as above)
METHOD:
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter and soap base cubes
When the shea butter and soap base are melted, take off the heat and mix in the Vitamin E Oil and the Lavender Fragrance
Pour in a 4-5oz soap mold and let it cool off for about 1 hour.
Back to Recipes
SHEA BUTTER STRETCH MARK CREAM
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. Raw Shea Butter
2 oz. Cocoa Butter
2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 TBSP of Vitamin E Oil
30 drops Neroli essential oil
METHOD:
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter
Remove the pot from the heat and add Extra Virgin Oil and the Vitamin E Oils, mixing
well
Add Neroli Oil
Put your cram in a PET or glass container and store in a cool place
Back to Recipes
SHEA BUTTER SUN SCREEN LOTION
INGREDIENTS:
4oz Raw Shea Butter
2oz Coconut Oil
1 TSP Vitamin E Oil
Micronized, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Powder – For an SPF 20, calculate what 20% of the
above lotion’s weigh is (in this case the weigh will be slightly over 6oz), and that will
give you how much Zinc Oxide to add to your lotion. In this case, add 0.2oz or 2 tsp
and you will have a natural sunscreen of about 20+SPF.
METHOD:
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter & Coconut Oil
Add the Vitamin E Oil
Slowly add the zinc powder to the oils above, and continue stirring and mixing until
you are satisfied the zinc is mixed in well.
Let the lotion cool off, then apply every few hours so ensure sun protection. This sunscreen lotion is not waterproof.
Back to Recipes
Note: If this recipe is used to make and sell your home-made sunscreen lotion, ensure to check out the
most recent FDA regulations of June 18, 2012 regarding how to label sunscreens and sunblocks.
SHEA & ALOE VERA AFTERSUN LOTION
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz Raw Shea Butter
2 TSP Aloe Vera Gel
15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
METHOD:
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the Shea Butter
Take it off the stove and let it cool a bit
Add the Lavender Oil and mix well
Add Aloe Vera, but beware that it will take some work to mix it with the butter. Use an
electric mixer if needed.
Back to Recipes
WHIPPED LAVENDER SHEA BUTTER
(For Hair and Skin)
This is the most versatile recipe in this book, it can be applied on body, face and hair
and will produce wonderful results.
INGREDIENTS:
8oz Raw Shea Butter
3oz Jojoba Oil or another noncomedogenic nut oil
1TSP of Vitamin E Oil
30 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
30 drops Lavender Essential Oil
METHOD:
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the
Shea Butter
Take off the stove and add the Jojoba and
Vitamin E Oils
Place your oils and butters mixture in the
refrigerator for about 45 minutes or until
the top and sides start to solidify
With an electric mixer set on high, whip the mixture for 5 minutes
Fold in the essential oils, then mix again for a few minutes to blend everything in
Place in a glass or PET container and store in a cool place.
Back to Recipes
APRICOT SHEA BODY MOUSSE
Great for delicate and normal skin, this mousse contains Apricot Oil, a gentle and easily
absorbed oil high in oleic and linoleic fatty acids rich in vitamins A and E.
INGREDIENTS:
8oz Raw Shea Butter
3oz Apricot Oil
40 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil
METHOD:
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the
Shea Butter
Take off the stove and add the Apricot Oil
Place your mixture in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes or until the top and sides
start to solidify
With an electric mixer set on high, whip the mixture for 5 minutes
Fold in the essential oils, then mix again for a few minutes to blend everything in
Place in a glass or PET container and store in a cool place.
Back to Recipes
VANILLA BODY SCRUB
INGREDIENTS:
1&1/2 cup of raw brown sugar (*substitute sugar with salt if desired)
½ cup Raw Shea Butter
¼ cup Coconut Oil
¼ cup Raw Honey
1 Vanilla Bean
1 TSP Vanilla Extract
METHOD:
Mix the sugar or salt with the oil, scraped vanilla bean pulp, and honey.
Add the Vanilla Extract and stir.
If too oily, add more salt or sugar until you reach the desired grainy paste consistency.
Place in a glass or PET container and enjoy!
Back to Recipes
ABOUT BETTER SHEA BUTTER
We keep it simple – we import, process and package the best Grade A, Raw Shea
Butter we can find in West Africa. We love Shea Butter and love our customers, and are
here to help you get the most out of this wonderful gift of nature.
For more information, visit us at www.BetterSheaButter.com, or write to us with any
feedback or comment at [email protected]