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]
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