Whipping Shea Butter?
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:56 pm

I got some shea butter and would like to whip it so it's a little easier to use. I googled it and saw a few sites that mention the need to add other ingredients (carrier oil and corn starch) when you whip it in order for it to be creamy. Is it necessary to add these additional ingredients? These sites also mention melting the shea. Does heating it take away any of it's benefits?

Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:44 pm

No it doesn't since it's pure. the starch I believe is to keep the whipped consistency of it. Make sure you dont heat it too much, I did that once and it was too "liquidy" to work with. Wink

free skin care · Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:57 pm

Melting unrefined butters with high heat is much like over cooking raw veggies. It kinda 'cooks' out the benefits of the unrefined butter, shea in this case.

I soften mine in a metal bowl - either on the stove by the vent for the oven or set over a pot (think double boiler) of boiled water (once it comes to a boil I turn off the heat). You want it just soft enough to work with.

Adding a carrier oil thins the Shea to make it not quite so dense. Corn starch is added to cut the greasy feeling of the shea.

Once your shea is soft enough to work with just whip it up with a hand mixer or KitchenAid mixer.

HTH

free skin care · Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:28 pm

how long does it take to get it all whipped up?!
thanks!

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:28 am

great tip Candy, thank you!

Athena

Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:21 am

thanks so much for the info, especially what the added ingredients are for, very helpful. Does anyone know if, as long as I don't overheat, will the shae be just as effective? Also, what would be a good carrier oil to mix with it? I have jojoba oil now but can pick up something else if that would work better. I really want something that would be good for VERY dry skin, possibly eczema.

thanks!!

free skin care · Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:21 pm

Rosehip oil would be a good choice for dry skin.

free skin care · Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:44 pm

TuesdaysChild wrote:

thanks so much for the info, especially what the added ingredients are for, very helpful. Does anyone know if, as long as I don't overheat, will the shae be just as effective? Also, what would be a good carrier oil to mix with it? I have jojoba oil now but can pick up something else if that would work better. I really want something that would be good for VERY dry skin, possibly eczema.

thanks!!

Tuesday, rosehip is good for dry skin but macadamia nut oil is extremely effective as well because it really penetrates the skin. It's one of my favorite all around skincare oils I stock, second only to jojoba oil as my all 'round fave.

Good luck, I hope this works for you!

free skin care · Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:28 pm

daydreamingda wrote:

how long does it take to get it all whipped up?!
thanks!

I use a heavy-duty KitchenAide mixer with a whip attachment, I combine everything, slowly folding until it is all incorporated. By then it's begun to cool enough to whip without being flung all over the room Laughing

.

The longer you whip - the lighter/airier it will become. Using a light oil, Macademia is very nice (great suggestion Athena) for quick absorption.

I can whip mine up to 40 minutes until it's reached the consitency I am looking for. It's gonna be a trial & error type thing for you to find the right %'s of what YOU like for your body butter.

Just add small amounts at a time & write em down as you go (learned this one the hard way, lol).

athena123 wrote:

great tip Candy, thank you!

Athena

TuesdaysChild wrote:

thanks so much for the info, especially what the added ingredients are for, very helpful. Does anyone know if, as long as I don't overheat, will the shae be just as effective? Also, what would be a good carrier oil to mix with it? I have jojoba oil now but can pick up something else if that would work better. I really want something that would be good for VERY dry skin, possibly eczema.

thanks!!

As long as it's not overheated it will retain it's values. Even if you do overheat it, it will still offer a good moisturizing effect.

Jojoba is a good choice, I opt for a lighter oil personally. I find a lighter oil keeps the butter from hardening up as much once it settles.

I have uber-dry skin. The most benefit I find by using my body butter is while still damp from a shower/bath. Slather on the butter, toss on a big pink fluffy bathrobe and go about my skincare routine. By the time I'm ready to dress it's all soaked in and my skin stays happy.

free skin care · Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:39 am

^^^^ Wow Candy 40 minutes? I can see the little mini food processor I have wouldn't be up to this task! Laughing

If I ever decide to delve a little deeper into DIY stuff, I'll definitely have to upgrade to REAL equipment!

free skin care · Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:19 am

i would love a whipped mango butter

free skin care · Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:58 pm

same principal - different butter...

PM me if ya wanna chat some more. Smile

edenfield wrote:

i would love a whipped mango butter

free skin care · Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:49 am

Susan Miller Cavitch's book, Soapmaker's Companion, has a fabulous--and adjustable--recipe for what she calls Native Blend Moisturizing Cream that incorporates olive, almond, wheat germ, jojoba oils along with shea and cocoa butter, castor oil, beeswax, glycerin, honey--and borax to make it emulsify. It's the only thing I've found that helps my husband's alligator paws.

For those of you who really know your stuff, is this a good blend?

free skin care · Tue May 27, 2008 10:21 am

try this youtube video, the lady uses lots of ingredients like honey, coconut oil, castor oil, almond oil, jojoba etc etc, the end result looks so light and creamy, and i think she uses this on her hair, and face..

whoops couldnt post a link - search youtube for Flo's whipped raw shea butter recipe.

free skin care · Wed May 28, 2008 10:43 am

I have a big jar of pure sheabutter from L'occitane. Is it the same thing? Do I need to whip it before using?
I always warm it first in the palm and then apply to the skin. The method is not correct?

free skin care · Wed May 28, 2008 12:51 pm

I use one of those milk frother things. Its like a mini whip for making frothy milk drinks. Cheap and works great to blend my ingredients.

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