Table of Contents
Updated October 2026
The best essential oil to mix with shea butter is lavender. It's gentle, easy to find, and its soft floral scent balances shea's natural nutty smell. Frankincense, geranium, Roman chamomile and sweet orange are close runners-up, and I keep body butters at 1 to 2% essential oil.
Below are my 10 favorite essential oils for shea butter, a drop chart so you know exactly how much to add, and three easy recipes. For all the ways I use shea, see my 10 shea butter uses with DIY recipes. Jump to the recipes.
Why Mix Essential Oils With Shea Butter?
Shea butter is one of my favorite bases for essential oils. It's rich and softening on dry skin, and it's solid, so a little goes a long way and it's easy to carry in a small jar. Essential oils need to be diluted before they go on your skin, and shea makes that simple.
Adding essential oils turns plain shea into a body butter with a scent you love, whether that's calming lavender at bedtime or a cooling peppermint foot rub.
10 Best Essential Oils for Shea Butter
| Essential Oil | Scent | Ages | How much I use in shea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Soft floral | Adults and kids | 1–2% (1% for kids) |
| Frankincense | Warm, resinous | Adults and kids 6+ | 1–2% (2% max) |
| Geranium | Rosy, green | Adults and kids 6+ | 1–2% |
| Roman chamomile | Sweet, apple-like | Adults and kids | 1–2% (1% for kids) |
| Sweet orange | Bright, cheerful | Adults and kids | 1–2% (1% for kids) |
| Peppermint | Cool, minty | Adults and kids 6+ | Up to 1% |
| Tea tree | Fresh, medicinal | Adults and kids 6+ | 1–2%, up to 3% on small spots |
| Rosemary | Herbal, fresh | Adults and kids 6+ | 1–2% |
| Eucalyptus | Sharp, clean | Adults and kids 10+ | 1–2% |
| Cedarwood (Atlas) | Soft, woody | Adults and kids 6+ | 1–2% |
1. Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia. Lavender is traditionally used for relaxation, restful sleep and soothing dry, irritated-feeling skin. Its floral scent softens shea's nuttiness, which is why it's my first pick. See all my uses for lavender essential oil.
2. Frankincense
Boswellia carterii or Boswellia sacra. Frankincense is traditionally used in skin care for mature, dry skin and in blends for a calm, centered mood. I keep it at 2% or less. Learn more in my frankincense essential oil guide.
3. Geranium
Pelargonium graveolens. Geranium has a rosy scent and is traditionally used to support balanced-looking skin. It's lovely in hand creams and body butters. See my geranium essential oil spotlight.
4. Roman Chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile. Roman chamomile is gentle and traditionally used for sensitive, easily irritated skin and for winding down at night. It pairs beautifully with lavender. Here's what blends well with Roman chamomile.
5. Sweet Orange
Citrus sinensis. Sweet orange smells cheerful and uplifting. Unlike cold-pressed lemon, lime, grapefruit and bergamot, it isn't known to make skin sensitive to the sun. Citrus oils go off faster than most, so use a fresh bottle. More in my sweet orange spotlight.
6. Peppermint
Mentha × piperita. Peppermint feels cool and refreshing and is traditionally used in rubs for tired feet and achy muscles. A little goes a long way, so I keep it at 1% or less and away from the face. Not for children under 6. Try my peppermint candy cane body butter.
7. Tea Tree
Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree is traditionally used for blemish-prone skin and for keeping feet feeling fresh. I keep it at 3% or less, and only on small areas at that strength. See my tea tree essential oil guide and my tea tree and lavender roller recipe.
8. Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis. Rosemary is traditionally used in scalp and hair care and in muscle rubs, and its herbal scent feels clarifying. Not for children under 6. If you're pregnant, check with your doctor first.
9. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus or Eucalyptus radiata. Eucalyptus has a fresh, clean scent that's traditionally used in chest rubs and muscle rubs. Not for children under 10.
10. Cedarwood
Cedrus atlantica. Atlas cedarwood has a soft, woody scent that's traditionally used in beard and hair care and in calming bedtime blends. It's a nice choice for a less floral body butter.
How Many Drops of Essential Oil per Shea Butter?
Shea butter, body butter and massage oil cover large areas of skin, so I keep most blends at 1 to 2%. I save 3% for hands, feet and other small areas.
| Strength | Per 1 Tbsp | Per 1/4 cup | Per 1/2 cup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1% | 3 drops | 12 drops | 24 drops | Face, kids, sensitive skin |
| 2% | 6 drops | 24 drops | 48 drops | Everyday adult body butter |
| 3% | 9 drops | 36 drops | 72 drops | Adult hands and feet |
For babies and toddlers, I use plain shea with no essential oils. My dilution chart has more drop counts.
Shea Butter and Essential Oil Recipes
These are all water-free butters, so they don't need a preservative. Whip the shea first, or follow my tutorial on how to whip shea butter without heat.
Calming Lavender and Chamomile Body Butter (1%)
Adults and kids 6+
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup sweet almond oil or jojoba oil
- 24 drops lavender
- 12 drops Roman chamomile
- 8 oz glass jar
Method: Whip the shea butter and carrier oil with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the essential oils and whip again. Spoon into a jar and massage a small amount into dry skin after a bath or before bed. Use jojoba if you have a nut allergy.
Glowing Skin Body Butter (2%)
Adults
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup sweet almond oil or jojoba oil
- 24 drops frankincense
- 24 drops geranium
- 24 drops sweet orange
- 8 oz glass jar
Method: Whip the shea butter and carrier oil until fluffy, then add the essential oils and whip again. Smooth over arms, legs and shoulders for soft, glowing-looking skin. You can split the 72 drops any way you like between your favorite oils, as long as frankincense stays at 24 drops or fewer.
Cooling Peppermint Foot Butter (2%)
Adults. For kids 6+, use half the drops.
- 2 Tbsp shea butter
- 1 tsp jojoba oil
- 4 drops peppermint
- 6 drops lavender
- 4 drops tea tree
- 2 oz glass jar
Method: Mix the shea butter and jojoba until smooth, then stir in the essential oils. Massage into clean, dry feet at night and slip on cotton socks. It feels lovely after a long day on your feet. Keep it away from your face and eyes, and wash your hands after applying.
Safety Tips for Shea and Essential Oils
- Patch test a new blend on your inner arm before using it all over.
- Use cold-pressed lemon, lime, grapefruit and bergamot only in nighttime products, since they can make skin sensitive to the sun.
- Skip "hot" oils like cinnamon bark, clove and oregano in body butters. They can irritate skin.
- If you're pregnant or nursing, check with your doctor before using essential oils.
- Shea comes from a tree nut. If you have a nut allergy, check with your doctor first.
- Keep pets from licking freshly applied butter, and store your essential oils somewhere cool and dark.
Keep Exploring
- 10 shea butter uses with DIY recipes
- How to whip shea butter without heat
- Can you mix shea butter and mango butter?
- DIY shea butter hand cream with rosehip and jasmine
- Homemade shea butter bath melts
- Essential oil substitution chart
Shop my Aromatherapy Supply Kits and grab one of my free essential oil guides.
Free Shea Butter Recipes Guide
Grab my free Shea Butter Recipes Guide for 10 recipes, a printable dilution chart and safety tips.
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