Cold weather can be so harsh on your skin! Chapped lips, dry cheeks and cracking hands quickly become a daily battle, especially if you are someone who likes to adventure in the outdoors on a regular basis. But unfortunately regular moisturizing products like lotion don’t always do the trick. Heavier, oilier and more heavy-duty moisturizing and protective products are needed in order to help soothe chapped, dry and cracking skin from exposure to the elements like harsh wind and cold. And while you could absolutely go to the store and buy a moisturizing cream, why not make one yourself?
DIY projects are a great way to customize your skincare choices to fit your specific needs. Whereas when you buy a ready made product you have no say in what went into the formula, at what amount and what quality it was, doing a simple DIY project ensures that you have total control over the entire process and can know that what you are putting onto your skin is not only exactly what you want, but that it will do exactly what you want it to do.
For your cracking hands, dry and chapped cheeks and lips, try this easy and effective DIY moisturizing balm recipe featuring the heavy duty moisturizing and protective powers of raw African Shea butter with other healing plant oils for the kind of no nonsense skincare your skin needs.
Here’s the recipe:
- ½ cup raw Shea butter, warm
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons Tamanu oil
- Lavender essential oil (optional)
- Bowl for mixing
- Spoon for mixing/mashing
- Container for storing (we like glass jars)
Measure and add your warm Shea butter, coconut and Tamanu oil into the mixing bowl, along with 10 drops of the Lavender essential oil if using. Thoroughly mix and mash all the oils together until very thoroughly blended. If you want the texture to be thinner, add more Tamanu. If you want it to be thicker, add more Shea butter. When you are satisfied with the consistency, transfer your skin balm into your container of choice and keep it stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
You can use this Shea butter based skin balm all over and whenever you need it. If you have a favorite skincare oil you want to add, go for it! Treat this recipe as an outline and feel free to experiment and make changes as you see fit.