Best Homemade Winter Moisturiser for Dry Skin using Shea Butter
Learn how to create your own universal fluffy butter using natural ingredients.
Whether you’re dealing with colder weather or using a particularly harsh skincare product, you’ve likely experienced the conundrum that is dry, flaky skin. If you're looking for a place to teach you how to make the ultimate deep moisturising cream, you’ve come to the right place!
How many tubs of moisturiser do you go through during the winter season? I am here to tell you it’s time to move beyond believing more moisturiser is better. In reality, the best moisturisers for skin during winter are those that contain the most moisture-grabbing ingredients.
If you wish to stay all-natural this recipe is perfect for you! It contains a simple ingredient list of shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil. Perfect for those with sensitive skin as it is fragrance-free, gentle yet effective.
I have purposely chosen to call it universal as it can be used for the face, body and hair.
Let me briefly explain why I have chosen the following ingredients to produce this moisturiser.
Shea Butter
The high concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it extremely nourishing for the skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to protect natural skin oils.
Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids, which is why it’s often praised for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin and improve elasticity. The fat in cocoa butter forms a protective barrier over the skin to hold in moisture.
Cocoa butter is also rich in natural plant compounds called phytochemicals. These substances may improve blood flow to the skin and slow skin ageing by protecting against damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Some research suggests that cocoa butter has the potential to prevent and treat skin diseases. It may also protect the skin from damage that can lead to premature ageing.
Coconut oil
It reduces dryness by locking in moisture. It also removes impurities and helps soothes irritated skin. It smooths skin, rub some coconut oil onto your skin and you’ll immediately feel its soft, smoothing effect. Over time it can actually help to improve texture.
Sweet Almond Oil
Almond oil is excellent for the skin due to its emollient properties that prevent the loss of natural moisture from the skin. These emollient properties of the oil also help in improving skin complexion.
Jojoba Oil
It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It's a great antioxidant and helps to reduce wrinkles. Jojoba oil is rich in vitamins E and B, it can help act as a shield to protect skin against free radical damage caused by environmental factors like pollution. “Jojoba oil helps to fight free radical damage which will in turn help prevent the break down of collagen that can lead to crepey skin and wrinkles, making it extremely beneficial in skin care formulations,” explains Luigi L. Polla, MD, a dermatologist and founder of Forever Institut and Alchimie Forever Skincare.
Now let’s make our Universal Fluffy Butter.
Equipment you’ll need:
1x Stand mixer or bowl and hand mixer (with a whisk attachment)
1x Pot (for double boiling)
1x Heatproof bowl (must fit your pot)
1x Spoon
Jars for storage (This recipe makes approx 3x180ml amber jars)
Ingredients:
120g/4oz shea butter
50g/4tbsp cocoa butter
50g/4tbsp coconut oil
50g/4tbsp sweet almond oil
50g/4tbsp jojoba oil
Add water to your pot and place over low heat on your stovetop. Let it come to a simmering boil.
Add cocoa butter & coconut oil to your heatproof bowl. Place over your pot (double boiler) and allow to melt. Your bowl should not be in direct contact with the boiling water. When completely melted allow to cool and place bowl in the fridge to begin solidifying for approx 45mins (you’re looking for apple sauce texture).
While you wait for that using a jug prepare your oil mixture by combining jojoba oil and sweet almond oil. Set aside.
Place shea butter in your stand mixer or mixing bowl.
Once cooled add the cocoa-coconut mixture to the shea butter.
Begin to mix at a slow speed for the butters to be creamed together.
When it starts to lighten in colour increase your speed to medium and slowly drizzle in 1/3 of your oil mixture. Mix for 5 minutes (it should begin to increase in volume).
Stop the mixer. Using your spoon scrape down the sides of the bowl making sure to incorporate the small pieces of shea butter.
Now on high speed drizzle the rest of the oil into the mixture and watch it almost triple in volume, it could take around 15 minutes depending on your mixer.
Pipe or scoop your whipped butter into glass containers and seal with a tight lid. This recipe makes approx 3x180ml amber jars.
This is your universal fluffy butter.
The best way to moisturise is via damp skin. It’s important to remember – skin loves water. This moisturiser is incredible but when paired with damp hydrated skin it’s an absolute game-changer.
Tips for fluffy butter
To achieve the best results use unrefined ingredients. They maintain more vitamins and have better skincare benefits.
Use room temperature shea butter. Melted and refrigerated or frozen shea butter will produce a stiffer cream that hardens when left out at room temperature.
I recommend storing in a cool dry area away from any sunlight! Your butter will melt if directly exposed to heat and this will alter its texture.
As this recipe is completely customisable – take away or add oils you feel you could benefit from, for example, many people use seabuckthorn oil as it promotes skin hydration, elasticity, cell regeneration, and even helps treat and prevent acne. Arrowroot powder is often used to increase absorbability. The list of possibilities is endless. Research is key.
Use essential oils or fragrance oils to create luscious scents for your creams but be mindful of their concentrations, a few drops is usually more than enough!