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The easiest way to soften shea butter is to let it come to room temperature, then warm a small amount between your palms. It melts on contact with warm skin. To keep a whole jar soft and spreadable, whip it with a little liquid oil like jojoba, or gently melt it and chill it quickly.
Below are the 3 ways I soften shea, how to fix shea that has turned hard or grainy, and two easy recipes for a soft, scoopable butter. For all the ways I use shea, see my 10 shea butter uses with DIY recipes. Jump to the methods.
Why Is My Shea Butter So Hard?
Shea butter is naturally solid at room temperature, and it firms up even more in a cool house or in winter. Raw, unrefined shea from a block can feel almost like a candle until it warms up. Nothing is wrong with it. It just needs a little warmth or a little oil.
3 Ways to Soften Shea Butter
| Method | Heat? | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Warm it in your hands | No | Seconds | Using a little right now |
| 2. Whip it with a liquid oil | No | 10 to 15 minutes | A whole jar that stays soft |
| 3. Gently melt and chill | Yes, gentle | About an hour, with chilling | Rock-hard blocks or grainy shea |
1. Warm It in Your Hands
This is how I use plain shea most days. Scrape off a small amount with a clean spoon or the back of your fingernail, hold it in your palm for a few seconds, then rub your hands together until it turns to oil. Smooth it straight onto your skin.
If the jar is very firm, leave it in a warm room for an hour, or set the closed jar in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Keep the lid on so no water gets in.
2. Whip It With a Liquid Oil (No Heat)
A little liquid oil keeps shea soft in the jar. Break up 1/2 cup of room-temperature shea with a fork, add 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil, and whip with a hand mixer for about 5 minutes until it looks like frosting. For an even softer butter, use up to 2 tablespoons of oil.
I have a full photo tutorial on how to whip shea butter without heat.
3. Gently Melt, Then Chill Quickly
Melting is the way to go for a rock-hard brick or for shea that has turned grainy.
- Melt gently: set a heat-safe glass bowl or measuring cup over a pan of gently simmering water and add your shea. Stir until it's completely melted. You can microwave it in short bursts on low power instead, stirring in between, but it heats less evenly.
- Add oil (optional): stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of jojoba or another liquid oil per 1/2 cup of shea if you want a softer result.
- Chill quickly: put the bowl in the fridge until the edges are firm and the center is soft and cloudy. Quick cooling is what keeps it smooth.
- Whip: whip with a hand mixer until fluffy, then spoon into a clean, dry jar.
Keep water away from your shea the whole time. Even a few drops in the jar can lead to spoilage.
How to Fix Grainy Shea Butter
Grainy shea isn't spoiled. Shea is made of several fats that set at different speeds, and when it cools slowly (or melts and re-sets in a warm car), little grains form. To fix it, melt it completely, let it stay melted for a few minutes while you stir, then chill it quickly as in method 3. If it smells sour or sharp, though, it has gone off and it's time to toss it.
Soft Shea Butter Recipes
Soft Everyday Shea Butter
All ages. No essential oils.
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 2 Tbsp jojoba oil
- 8 oz glass jar
Method: Whip the shea and jojoba with a hand mixer for about 5 minutes until fluffy. Spoon into a jar. It stays soft and scoopable at room temperature. Shea comes from a tree nut, so check with your pediatrician before using it on babies.
Soft Lavender Body Butter (about 1%)
Adults and kids 6+
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 2 Tbsp jojoba oil
- 24 drops lavender
- 6 drops sweet orange
- 8 oz glass jar
Method: Whip the shea and jojoba until fluffy, add the essential oils and whip again. Massage a small amount into dry skin after a shower. Want a different scent? See the best essential oils to mix with shea butter.
Tips for Keeping Shea Soft
- Store it somewhere cool and out of the sun, but not the fridge, unless your house is very warm.
- Scoop with clean, dry fingers or a spoon.
- Add essential oils after melting, once the shea has cooled a bit. Keep body butters at 1 to 2% (my dilution chart has drop counts).
- Patch test a new blend, and check with your doctor before using essential oils if you're pregnant or nursing.
- For a firmer, less greasy butter that holds up in summer, blend in some mango butter. See can you mix shea butter and mango butter?
Keep Exploring
- 10 shea butter uses with DIY recipes
- How to whip shea butter without heat
- Best essential oil to mix with shea butter
- Can you mix shea butter and mango butter?
- Jojoba carrier oil benefits and uses
- Homemade shea butter bath melts
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.
