DIY Winter Skincare: 10 Essential Natural Recipes to Protect Your Skin All Season
Last updated: November 2026
The best DIY winter skincare routine for dry skin is simple. Cleanse gently, put an oil on damp skin, seal it with a butter, and give hands and lips their own balm. Baraka Impact, which sells shea butter, baobab oil and other ingredients from Ghana, shares 10 recipes below, with exact amounts and steps. This is DIY advice, not medical advice. See a doctor or pharmacist for a skin condition or anything that persists.
For the full ingredient story, see Raw Shea Butter Benefits: Complete Guide to Skin, Hair, Baby, Pregnancy, and DIY.
What is the best DIY winter skincare routine for dry skin?
The best routine is a short one you will actually repeat: oil on damp skin, butter on top, balm where you need it. Winter air pulls moisture out of skin, so the aim is to hold in the water that is already there. Many people find water-free blends of butters and oils do this well. Traditional use in West Africa points the same way.
The three-layer routine
Layer 1, oil on damp skin. Right after a shower, pat skin so it is still slightly damp. Smooth on a light oil blend such as the Protective Hand Cream or Mother-Baby Bonding Massage Oil recipe below. This helps trap water in the skin.
Layer 2, a treatment where you want one. Use the Winter Overnight Face Treatment on the face in the evening.
Layer 3, a butter on top. Seal everything with a richer butter. Use the Soothing Winter Body Butter on the body or the Intensive Cracked Skin Conditioning Balm on hands, heels and elbows.
Shea butter has only a low natural SPF and is not a sunscreen. On bright winter days, including snow glare, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin.
Recipes included
Baby and mother care: Ultra-Gentle Baby Winter Balm, Nursing Mother's Soothing Butter, Mother-Baby Bonding Massage Oil.
Men's winter care: Rugged Beard & Face Balm for Winter.
General winter care: Intensive Cracked Skin Conditioning Balm, Winter Overnight Face Treatment, Protective Hand Cream for Cold Weather, Anti-Aging Winter Night Butter, Soothing Winter Body Butter, Winter Lip Rescue Balm.
How do you avoid dry skin in winter naturally?
Baraka's guide suggests keeping showers short and warm, moisturising right after, adding humidity to indoor air, and covering skin outside. Then use water-free butters and oils to seal moisture in.
What Happens to Your Skin During Winter?
Cold outdoor air holds little moisture. Indoor heating then dries the air again. Skin can lose water faster in these conditions, and it can feel tight, flaky or rough. Drinking water helps your body, but it does not stop the dry air pulling moisture from the surface of the skin.
The Commercial Skincare Trap
Many store-bought lotions list water first. Water gives a quick feeling of moisture but evaporates fast in low humidity. Some people also find that fragrance or alcohol in a product bothers skin that is already dry. Making your own lets you choose every ingredient.
Why Choose African Ingredients Over Commercial Products?
In West Africa, shea butter has been used for generations on skin during the dry harmattan season. Shea butter is rich in oleic acid (about 40 to 55%) and stearic acid (about 35 to 45%), fats that are also found in skin.
Baobab oil has a balanced mix of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids and is traditionally valued for how it feels on skin. For another ingredient guide, see Cocoa Butter – Ultimate DIY Guide and Recipes.
Humidifier tips for indoor winter air
Aim for 40 to 50% relative humidity. Place the humidifier 3 to 6 feet (about 1 to 2 m) from the bed. Use distilled water, change it daily and clean the unit weekly. Above 60% humidity mould can grow.
Food and water
Eating a varied diet with fruit, vegetables, healthy fats and enough water is commonly recommended in cold months. Ask a healthcare provider if you are unsure about supplements.
What are the best natural ingredients for winter skincare, and is shea butter one?
Yes, Baraka's guide counts shea butter as one of the best natural ingredients for winter skincare. It is rich, melts at skin temperature and is traditionally used in Ghana for dry, weathered skin. Baobab oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil and shea oil each play a different role.
Shea Butter: Your Winter Skin Barrier Helper
Raw, unrefined shea butter has a natural unsaponifiable fraction of roughly 7 to 12%, including triterpenes and tocopherols. It contains vitamins A and E. It melts at about 90 to 100°F (32 to 38°C), so it softens on contact with skin and leaves a rich layer that many people find holds moisture in.
Shea butter has only a low natural SPF. It is not a sunscreen and does not replace one. Baraka's shea butter is made by hand at the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana. See Raw Shea Butter.
Baobab Oil: The Moisture Magnet
Baobab oil has roughly 35% oleic, 30% linoleic and 25% palmitic acid, so it absorbs quickly and still feels rich. It also contains vitamins A, D and E. Many people who use it regularly tell us their skin feels more hydrated. Baraka's baobab oil is made by hand in Ghana.
Cocoa Butter: The Firm Winter Butter
Cocoa butter is the firmest of the natural butters, melting at about 93 to 100°F (34 to 38°C). That makes it useful for balms and solid bars that hold their shape. It contains natural polyphenols and phytosterols.
Kombo Butter: Africa's Hidden Winter Butter
Kombo butter comes from the seeds of Pycnanthus angolensis. It has a medium-firm texture between soft shea and hard cocoa butter, and it spreads easily. It is traditionally used in Ghana as a massage butter. For skin, blend it at 20 to 30% with shea butter and test it on the inside of your arm for 24 hours first. Kombo butter stains clothing and towels. Never use it in anything for babies.
Red Palm Oil: Rich in Carotenoids
Red palm oil is one of the richest natural sources of carotenoids (vitamin A precursors) and contains tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E. It adds colour and richness to a blend. It stains clothing and towels, and it can tint light skin for a while after use.
Coconut Oil: Lightweight Winter Hydration
Traditional coconut oil is light and absorbs quickly, which suits hand creams and face blends. It is high in lauric acid (about 45 to 50%) and melts easily.
Shea Oil: A Lighter Option
Baraka's shea oil is made from unrefined shea butter and is made by hand in Ghana. It is a single ingredient, 100% shea oil with nothing added. It is liquid at room temperature, pale yellow to golden, and conditions skin. It feels lighter than the butter, so it works well in face blends and under makeup.
10 Essential DIY Winter Skincare Recipes
All ten recipes are water-free. Essential oils are optional. For leave-on recipes keep them to 1% of the recipe weight or less (0.5% on lips), and never use them in recipes for babies or young children.
Ultra-Gentle Baby Winter Balm
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: winter dryness on baby skin and chapped cheeks from cold wind. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or pediatrician about rashes or anything that persists.
Why this recipe: It has only three ingredients and no essential oils or fragrance. You control exactly what goes on your baby's skin.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Coconut oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Baobab oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
Method:
- Bring the shea butter and coconut oil to room temperature, about 70°F (21°C).
- Whip them together with a fork or whisk for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth.
- Drizzle in the baobab oil and mix for another minute.
- Spoon into a small, clean glass jar and let it set for 2 to 3 hours.
- Smooth a thin layer onto baby's skin after a bath.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses three Baraka ingredients. One click takes all three straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Baobab Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Make it firmer or softer: For a firmer balm use 3 tablespoons (45 ml) shea butter and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) coconut oil. For a softer one use 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of each ingredient.
Storage: Keep cool and dark. Throw it out if it smells or looks off.
Essential oils are not recommended for young babies.
Many parents use this recipe and are happy with the results. Everything in it is pure, natural ingredients that many others have used with no issues or harm, but it is not a formally approved treatment. Your doctor, pediatrician or pharmacist should always be your first source of advice for your baby.
Nursing Mother's Soothing Butter
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: dry skin during nursing. Shea butter has a long history of use by mothers in West Africa. For sore or cracked nipples, ask a midwife, doctor or pharmacist.
Why this recipe: It has two plain ingredients and no essential oils, and many mothers like having nothing added.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 6 tablespoons (90 ml)
- Traditional coconut oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
Method:
- Melt both in a heat-safe bowl over simmering water, stirring gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Take off the heat and cool for 5 minutes.
- Pour into a small wide-mouth glass jar.
- Chill for 45 to 60 minutes, then keep at room temperature.
- Use a rice-grain-sized amount after feeds and at bedtime.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses two Baraka ingredients. One click takes both straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for two batches
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
Make it firmer or softer: Use 7 tablespoons (105 ml) shea butter and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) coconut oil for firmer. Use equal parts for softer.
Mother-Baby Bonding Massage Oil
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: post-bath moisturising and relaxed massage time for mother and baby.
Why this recipe: One light blend works for the whole family and absorbs without leaving bedding greasy.
Ingredients:
- Baobab oil: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Traditional coconut oil: 3 tablespoons (45 ml)
- Shea oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
Method:
- Combine the oils in a clean glass bottle.
- Shake for 30 seconds.
- Put about 1 teaspoon (5 ml) in your palms and warm it between your hands.
- Massage with slow, gentle strokes from the limbs toward the heart.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses three Baraka ingredients. One click takes all three straight to checkout.
- Baraka Baobab Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for two batches
- Baraka Shea Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Make it lighter or richer: More coconut oil makes it lighter. More baobab oil makes it richer. Do not add essential oils.
Many parents use this recipe and are happy with the results. Everything in it is pure, natural ingredients that many others have used with no issues or harm, but it is not a formally approved treatment. Your doctor, pediatrician or pharmacist should always be your first source of advice for your baby.
Rugged Beard & Face Balm for Winter
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: dry, brittle beard hair, beard dandruff, and wind-chapped skin around facial hair.
Why this recipe: The medium-firm texture stays put outdoors, and cocoa butter gives a gentle natural scent.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Shea oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
- Raw cocoa butter: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Baobab oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
Method:
- Melt the shea butter and cocoa butter over simmering water.
- Cool for 3 to 4 minutes, then stir in the baobab oil and shea oil.
- Pour into a wide-mouth tin and chill for 20 minutes, then keep at room temperature.
- Warm a pea-sized amount in your palms and work it through the beard from root to tip.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses four Baraka ingredients. One click takes all four straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Shea Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Cocoa Butter, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Baobab Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Make it firmer: Use 3 tablespoons (45 ml) cocoa butter and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) shea butter for more hold. Optional: add lavender essential oil, keeping the total under 1% of the recipe weight. Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
Intensive Cracked Skin Conditioning Balm
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: very dry hands, knuckles, heels and elbows. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if skin is split, painful or does not improve.
Why this recipe: It is thick and stays in place on active hands and feet, unlike a watery lotion.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 5 tablespoons (75 ml)
- Raw cocoa butter: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Red palm oil: 2 teaspoons (10 ml). It stains clothing and towels.
- Vitamin E oil: 1 teaspoon (5 ml)
Method:
- Melt the shea butter and cocoa butter together until fully liquid.
- Cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then stir in the red palm oil and vitamin E oil for 60 seconds.
- Pour into small tins and let set for 3 to 4 hours.
- Apply a thick layer, cover with cotton gloves or socks, and leave on overnight.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses three Baraka ingredients. One click takes all three straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Cocoa Butter, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Red Palm Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for five batches
Vitamin E oil is not a Baraka product; use your usual supplier.
Make it your way: For a firmer foot balm add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) beeswax, melted in with the butters.
Winter Overnight Face Treatment
Skill level: Intermediate
Traditionally used for: dry, dull-looking winter skin on the face. Bedroom heating can dry the air at night, so many people like a rich layer before bed.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Baobab oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Shea oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
- Red palm oil: 1 teaspoon (5 ml). It stains.
- Vitamin E oil: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml)
Method:
- Warm the shea butter gently until soft like thick yogurt, not fully melted.
- Whip in the baobab oil and shea oil for 3 to 4 minutes until light and creamy.
- Add the red palm oil and vitamin E oil and whip 2 more minutes.
- Spoon into a small jar and chill for 30 minutes, then store cool.
- Smooth a pea-sized amount onto clean, slightly damp skin before bed. Avoid the eye area.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses four Baraka ingredients. One click takes all four straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Baobab Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Shea Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Red Palm Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for several batches
Vitamin E oil is not a Baraka product; use your usual supplier.
Make it lighter: Use 1 tablespoon (15 ml) shea butter and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) shea oil. For face use, keep any essential oil to 1% or less of the recipe weight. Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
Protective Hand Cream for Cold Weather
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: hands that are washed often and exposed to cold. It absorbs fast, so you can reapply through the day.
Ingredients:
- Traditional coconut oil: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Shea oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Baobab oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
- Vitamin E oil: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml)
Method:
- Combine all the oils in a clean bottle.
- Shake for 30 to 45 seconds.
- For a richer texture chill for 2 to 3 hours, then whip with a fork.
- Rub 3 to 4 drops into your hands until absorbed, and reapply after washing.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses three Baraka ingredients. One click takes all three straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
- Baraka Shea Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Baobab Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Vitamin E oil is not a Baraka product; use your usual supplier.
Make it your way: Add up to 1% essential oil by recipe weight, such as lavender or sweet orange. Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
Anti-Aging Winter Night Butter
Skill level: Intermediate
Traditionally used for: dry, mature-looking skin in winter. Many people tell us a rich night butter makes skin feel smoother in the morning.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 3 tablespoons (45 ml)
- Shea oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
- Baobab oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Red palm oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml). It stains.
- Vitamin E oil: 1 teaspoon (5 ml)
Method:
- Warm the shea butter until creamy, not fully liquid.
- Whip in the baobab oil for 4 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the red palm oil, shea oil and vitamin E oil and whip 3 more minutes.
- Spoon into a dark glass jar and set at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours. Do not refrigerate, as this can make it grainy.
- Smooth a dime-sized amount onto face and neck before bed.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses four Baraka ingredients. One click takes all four straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for two batches
- Baraka Shea Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Baobab Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Red Palm Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Vitamin E oil is not a Baraka product; use your usual supplier.
Make it firmer: Melt in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cocoa butter. Optional frankincense essential oil, up to 1% of the recipe weight. Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
Soothing Winter Body Butter
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: all-over dryness and post-shower tightness. Body skin has fewer oil glands than facial skin, so many people use a richer product in winter.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Coconut oil: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Baobab oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Vitamin E oil: 1 teaspoon (5 ml)
Method:
- Bring the shea butter and coconut oil to room temperature. This matters for whipping.
- Whip them in a large bowl for 7 to 8 minutes until the volume doubles.
- Drizzle in the baobab oil and vitamin E oil and whip 2 to 3 more minutes.
- Spoon into a wide-mouth jar and let set for 2 to 3 hours.
- Use about 1 tablespoon on slightly damp skin within 3 minutes of showering.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses three Baraka ingredients. One click takes all three straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for two batches
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
- Baraka Baobab Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
Vitamin E oil is not a Baraka product; use your usual supplier.
Make it your way: For a lighter feel use 3 tablespoons (45 ml) baobab oil and 7 tablespoons (105 ml) shea butter. Add up to 1% essential oil by recipe weight if you like a scent. Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
Winter Lip Rescue Balm
Skill level: Beginner
Traditionally used for: dry, chapped lips in cold wind. Lips have no oil glands, and licking them only dries them more. Many people find a thick balm breaks that habit. On sunny days, use a lip product with sunscreen, as this balm is not one.
Ingredients:
- Raw shea butter: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
- Shea oil: 2 teaspoons (10 ml)
- Raw cocoa butter: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Vitamin E oil: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml)
Method:
- Melt the cocoa butter and shea butter together until fully liquid.
- Cool for 2 minutes and stir in the shea oil and vitamin E oil for 30 seconds.
- Pour carefully into lip balm tubes or small tins.
- Let cool undisturbed for 3 to 4 hours until solid.
- Apply as needed, and always before bed and before heading outside.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses three Baraka ingredients. One click takes all three straight to checkout.
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
- Baraka Shea Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for five batches
- Baraka Cocoa Butter, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
Vitamin E oil is not a Baraka product; use your usual supplier.
Make it your way: Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (not essential oil) for scent. If you use essential oil on lips, keep it to 0.5% or less of the recipe weight. Peppermint oil should never be used on the face of babies or young children. Do not apply to the face of babies or young children. Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
What Each Ingredient Does in These Recipes
- Shea butter: rich, creamy and soft, the base of most recipes.
- Cocoa butter: firm, so it makes balms hold their shape.
- Baobab oil: light and quick to absorb.
- Shea oil: light and smooth, good for face blends.
- Coconut oil: light, melts easily and absorbs fast.
- Red palm oil: adds colour and richness, and stains.
- Vitamin E oil: slows oils from going rancid.
How to Change the Texture
The rule of thumb is simple: butters make it rich, oils make it soft and light, wax makes it hold its shape. For a firmer product add more cocoa butter or a little beeswax. For a softer or runnier one add more liquid oil. For a thicker, richer feel add more shea butter. For a lighter feel add more baobab or shea oil.
Techniques for Winter Skincare Success
Temperature Control
Most texture problems come from temperature. Never pour hot mixtures straight into jars. Let melted blends cool until barely warm, about 85 to 95°F (30 to 35°C), before adding vitamin E oil or essential oils. Whip at about 64 to 72°F (18 to 22°C). Melt over simmering water, never over direct heat.
Measuring and Whipping
A digital scale is more accurate than volume measures, so use one if you make products often. Natural butters vary by season, so adjust slightly if yours is very firm. To test texture, put 1 teaspoon on a cold plate and chill it for 5 minutes. Stop whipping once soft peaks form, as over-whipping can cause separation.
Storage and Containers
Glass jars do not absorb essential oils and are easy to clean. Use wide-mouth containers for thick balms. Dark glass is good for blends with vitamin E or red palm oil. Keep everything cool and dry. Browse DIY ingredients if you need supplies.
Keeping Products Clean
Wash and dry all containers and tools. These recipes contain no water, so never add water to a finished product and avoid wet fingers in the jar. If a product smells or looks off, throw it out.
Where Should I Buy Ingredients for DIY Winter Skincare?
Raw vs. Refined
Raw, unrefined shea butter keeps its natural vitamins and unsaponifiable fraction. It ranges from cream to light yellow with a nutty aroma. Refined shea butter is white and odourless. For these recipes, raw is generally preferred.
Where Baraka Sources Its Ingredients
Baraka sources its shea butter and other ingredients directly in Ghana, where Wayne Dunn has worked with cooperative partners for over 15 years. Baraka is Community Certified Fair Trade.
Baraka's shea butter and kombo butter are made by hand at the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana. Baobab oil and shea oil are made by hand in Ghana. Traditional hand processing takes longer than industrial methods. Explore all DIY ingredients.
Building Your Winter Ingredient Collection
Start with three:
- Raw shea butter
- Baobab oil
- Vitamin E oil
These three make 7 of the 10 recipes. Next add shea oil, cocoa butter and traditional coconut oil. Later, try red palm oil and kombo butter. Store butters and oils cool and dark.
Time: Most recipes take 15 to 25 minutes of active time, plus 2 to 4 hours of setting.
What If My DIY Winter Skincare Goes Wrong?
Grainy texture. The butter cooled too fast or got too hot. Remelt, cool slowly at room temperature and reset.
Too soft. Remelt, add 1 tablespoon of shea or cocoa butter, and reset.
Too hard. Remelt, add 1 tablespoon of baobab oil, shea oil or coconut oil, and reset.
Separation. Mixing was too short. Remelt, whip for 3 to 4 minutes and reset.
Greasy feel. Use less, or apply to damp skin. Next time raise the liquid oil share by 10 to 20%.
Smells off. Throw it away, clean the container and make a smaller batch next time.
Melts in warm weather. Add more cocoa butter or some beeswax, or keep the product in the fridge.
Cultural Context: African Skincare Wisdom for Winter
Harmattan Season
The harmattan winds blow across West Africa from December to March, bringing very dry air. West African women have long used shea butter on skin through this season. The shea tree is often called the tree of life.
Traditional Processing
Traditional shea butter making takes days of hand work. Women roast the shea nuts, crack them, grind them to a paste, add water and knead for hours. Women's income from shea goes toward school fees, health costs and family needs. Read Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report and hear from Felicia Solomon in Celebrating Mothers: Felicia Solomon.
The Wisdom of Simplicity
Traditional African skincare uses few ingredients, often just shea butter. These recipes follow that idea, since none needs more than six ingredients and most use three or four.
Seasonal Transition: Preparing Skin for Spring
As winter ends, ease off gradually. Keep using winter blends but apply them less often. Reduce overnight treatments to every other night and add a little liquid oil to thick butters. When daytime temperatures stay above 60°F (15°C), begin lightening recipes. For warm weather, see DIY Beach Skincare: 12 Essential Recipes for Sun, Salt & Wind, and for outdoor hands, see DIY Gardener's Skincare: 12 Essential Recipes to Care for Hands & Protect Outdoor Skin.
Which Recipes Should You Make?
One product: Soothing Winter Body Butter.
Two products: add the Winter Lip Rescue Balm.
Three products:
- Families with babies: Baby Winter Balm, Nursing Mother's Soothing Butter and Bonding Massage Oil.
- Very dry skin: Intensive Cracked Skin Conditioning Balm, Protective Hand Cream and Body Butter.
- Face focus: Winter Overnight Face Treatment, Anti-Aging Winter Night Butter and Lip Rescue Balm.
Make all ten for whole-household coverage. For handmade gift ideas, see Complete Father's Day DIY Guide: 42 Handmade Gifts Using Premium African Ingredients.
Make It Your Own
These recipes are a starting point, not a rulebook. Use your judgement, be inspired, and don't be afraid to experiment. Everything here is a pure, natural ingredient that blends happily with the others. Start with a small batch, write down what you did, and see how your skin responds. When you find a winter blend that works for you, make it again.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Winter Skincare
Can I make these recipes if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The base ingredients in Baraka's recipes (shea butter, coconut oil, baobab oil) have a long history of traditional use. Skip essential oils in the first 12 weeks and ask your doctor or midwife if unsure. Do not use essential oils on the breasts or nipples.
Do I need to add preservatives?
Baraka's recipes contain no water, so they do not need a preservative. Never add water to them. Keep them cool and throw them out if they smell or look off.
Can I substitute ingredients?
You can swap one liquid oil for another or one butter for another, but the texture will change. Do not replace oils with water-based ingredients, because that needs a preservative.
Are these suitable for sensitive or eczema-prone skin?
Many people with sensitive skin like the short ingredient lists. These recipes are not a treatment for eczema or psoriasis. If you have a skin condition, ask a dermatologist or doctor first.
Will these work for men's skin?
Yes. Baraka's beard balm recipe is made for men, and every recipe works for any skin.
Can children use these?
Use recipes without essential oils for children. Never use kombo butter in anything for babies.
Is shea butter edible?
Shea butter is eaten and cooked with in Ghana. Baraka's own shea butter is sold as a cosmetic, so use it on skin.
About the Author
Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has worked for over 15 years with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. Browse the DIY Ingredients Collection or see our Recipe Kits, each of which makes its own recipe.
The recipes on this page
- Ultra-Gentle Baby Winter Balm
- Nursing Mother's Soothing Butter
- Mother-Baby Bonding Massage Oil
- Rugged Beard & Face Balm for Winter
- Intensive Cracked Skin Conditioning Balm
- Winter Overnight Face Treatment
- Protective Hand Cream for Cold Weather
- Anti-Aging Winter Night Butter
- Soothing Winter Body Butter
- Winter Lip Rescue Balm
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