If you want to kiss your dry skin goodbye, look no further than Shea Butter. Rich in fatty acids, essential minerals, and vitamins A and C, it’s a burst of hydration for your thirsty skin. While winter has us feeling drier than the desert sand, Shea Butter is here to save the day. It’s the ultimate DIY ingredient, and can be used for everything from head to toe.

If you’ve never DIY’d your own beauty products, there’s a reason more and more people are making their own. Homemade products mean you know EXACTLY what you’re putting on your skin. Less packaging means less waste - always a good thing. And, of course, it’s super fun, and they make affordable (and adorable) homemade gifts! Just be sure to make your recipes in small batches since you won’t be adding any preservatives.

We’re sharing two of our favorite homemade beauty recipes using Shea Butter to keep you feeling soft and smooth all year round:

Treat your pout to this nourishing lip balm. For best results, apply after gently exfoliating.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp beeswax
1 tbsp Shea Butter
1 tbsp Coconut Oil

Directions:
Melt all ingredients in a double boiler, stirring constantly until melted.
Remove from heat, and pour mixture into a small jar or lip balm tubes immediately before it starts to harden.
Let sit at room temperature until cooled and completely hardened.

Ingredients:
1 cup Shea Butter
½ cup Coconut Oil
½ cup Sweet Almond Oil

Directions:
1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler.
2. Remove from heat, and let cool for 30 minutes.
3. Stir in almond oil and essential oils of your choice.
4. Place oil mixture in fridge or freezer to chill until it’s stiff but not completely solid.Use a hand or electric mixer to whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
5. Transfer to a container and store in a cool dark place. Enjoy!

TIP: Apply immediately after your shower to damp skin. Why? Beauty oils and moisturizers help prevent dryness by trapping existing moisture in your skin. The more moisture you start with, the better the shea butter can do its job!

Banish dry skin for good using Shea Butter straight from the jar, or get adventurous and try some DIY beauty recipes. How do you use Shea Butter? Share below!