How Do I Get Started Doing DIY Skincare?

Last updated: July 2026

Congratulations! You are taking control of what goes on your skin—the body's largest organ. Making your own skincare products is healthier, more cost-effective, and genuinely fun. Let's explore how to begin your DIY skincare journey with confidence.

Begin with the Right Mindset

First and foremost, approach DIY skincare with a sense of adventure and wonder. Remember that when working with pure, natural ingredients and keeping recipes simple, you'll have both success and enjoyment. There's no need for highly refined ingredients—the refining process often uses bleaches and chemicals to remove natural scents and colors, potentially reducing some naturally occurring compounds in the process.

Keep It Simple

As a beginner, simplicity is your friend:

• Avoid complicated recipes with long ingredient lists
• Skip ingredients you can't pronounce
• Start with 2-3 ingredient formulations
• Master the basics before trying complex techniques

I made my first DIY skincare product by melting together equal amounts of shea butter, cocoa butter, kombo butter and coconut oil in a double boiler and then using a fork to froth it a bit as it cooled.

Then I realized I would like an essential oil so I warmed it to near melting and added a few drops of lavender essential oil and frothed it again. Worked perfect. Smelled wonderful, saved me money and so satisfying!

I could have used any 2 or 3 of the ingredients instead of all four. If you look at ingredient properties below you can literally formulate your own body butter to give you the texture and feel you prefer.

You can do it! Experiment. With great ingredients you literally can't go wrong.

But, if you want more direction, read on - I have included a few simple starter recipes.

Choose Ingredients Thoughtfully

When selecting ingredients, consider both their properties and their ethical sourcing:

Understanding Ingredient Properties

Each natural ingredient offers unique properties and characteristics. Here's a breakdown of some of our favorite base ingredients:

Shea Butter

This versatile butter from West Africa is a staple in natural skincare due to its impressive range of properties.

Skincare Properties:

• Deeply moisturizing: Penetrates the skin to provide long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
• Traditionally used to calm skin: Traditionally used to help soothe visibly irritated or reddened skin.
• Rich in vitamins A, E, and F: Provides nutrients that condition and support the skin.
• Supports skin elasticity: Naturally occurring compounds support skin elasticity over time.
• Soothes dry skin: Creates a breathable barrier that locks in moisture without feeling greasy.

Haircare Properties:

• Conditions hair: Coats hair shafts with moisture-rich nutrients for softer, more manageable hair.
• Supports hair strength: Conditions hair to help reduce splitting and damage.
• Tames frizz: Smooths the hair cuticle to create a sleeker appearance without weighing hair down.
• Provides a protective layer: Creates a buffer between styling tools and hair strands.
• Soothes dry scalp: Conditions the skin beneath your hair to ease dryness and flaking.

Texture Effect: Medium firmness at room temperature, creates creamy textures

Cocoa Butter

Derived from cocoa beans, this rich butter has a delightful chocolate scent and is known for its exceptional moisturizing properties.

Skincare Properties:

• Rich in antioxidants: Naturally occurring antioxidants support skin's resilience against everyday exposure.
• Deeply moisturizing: Creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture for hours after application.
• Forms protective barrier: Shields skin from environmental stressors and extreme weather conditions.
• Supports skin elasticity: Regular use may support the look and feel of skin elasticity over time.

Haircare Properties:

• Adds shine: Smooths the hair cuticle to reflect light better, resulting in glossier-looking hair.
• Seals in moisture: Creates a protective coating that prevents water loss from hair shafts.
• Supports hair strength: Conditions hair fibers to help withstand styling and environmental stress.
• Smooths hair cuticles: Flattens raised hair cuticles for smoother, less frizzy hair strands.

Texture Effect: Firm/hard at room temperature, increases product firmness

Kombo Butter

This African butter is traditionally used and is especially valued for hands, knees, and elbows.

Skincare Properties:

• Adds shine: Smooths the hair cuticle to reflect light better, resulting in glossier-looking hair.
• Seals in moisture: Creates a protective coating that prevents water loss from hair shafts.
• Supports hair strength: Conditions hair fibers to help withstand styling and environmental stress.
• Smooths hair cuticles: Flattens raised hair cuticles for smoother, less frizzy hair strands.

Haircare Properties:

• Conditions hair follicles: Nourishes from the root for softer-feeling hair.
• Adds shine: Enhances natural luster by smoothing the hair's outer layer.
• Supports scalp comfort: Conditions the scalp at the follicle level.
• Strengthens hair: Supports resilience against breakage and environmental stress.

Texture Effect: Soft, helps create spreadable products

Coconut Oil

A versatile tropical oil beloved for its pleasant scent and multiple uses in both skincare and haircare routines.

Skincare Properties:

• Contains lauric acid: A naturally occurring fatty acid that is part of coconut oil's traditional use profile.
• Moisturizing: Quickly absorbs into skin to hydrate without leaving a greasy residue.
• Contains medium-chain fatty acids: These fatty acids are part of what supports skin's natural barrier.
• Traditionally used for dry, sensitive skin: Traditionally used on dry or sensitive skin, where it may ease general itching and dryness.

Haircare Properties:

• Penetrates hair shaft: One of few oils able to enter the hair shaft for deep conditioning.
• Supports hair strength: Creates a protective layer that helps reduce protein loss from hair during washing.
• Conditions: Softens and smooths hair for easier detangling and styling.
• Reduces friction: Minimizes friction between hair strands during brushing.

Texture Effect: Typically solid at cooler room temperatures but melts easily, creates softer products

Shea Oil

Pressed from the same nuts as shea butter but in liquid form, this oil offers similar properties with a lighter texture.

Skincare Properties:

• Lightweight moisture: Absorbs rapidly without leaving a heavy feel, making it ideal for daily use.
• High in oleic acid: This naturally occurring fatty acid is part of shea oil's conditioning profile.
• Absorbs quickly: Doesn't sit on the skin's surface, making it suitable for all skin types including oily.
• Rich in vitamins: Contains fat-soluble vitamins that condition skin cells.

Haircare Properties:

• Adds softness without heaviness: Lightweight enough for fine hair types that get weighed down easily.
• Penetrates hair without residue: Doesn't build up on the hair surface, allowing for frequent use.
• Adds shine: Improves light reflection without making hair look greasy or flat.

Texture Effect: Liquid, softens formulations

Baobab Oil

Extracted from the seeds of Africa's baobab tree, this oil is valued for its nutrient profile.

Skincare Properties:

• Rich in vitamins A, D, E and F: Provides a broad vitamin profile.
• Supports skin elasticity: Contains omega fatty acids that support skin suppleness.
• Contains natural antioxidants: Supports skin's resilience against everyday environmental exposure.

Haircare Properties:

• Supports hair strength: Conditions the hair's structure to help reduce splitting and breakage.
• Supports flexibility: May make hair feel more resilient and less prone to snapping when stretched.
• Reduces breakage: Adds moisture and conditioning to fragile or damaged hair.
• Adds shine: Enhances natural hair luster without making it look oily.

Texture Effect: Liquid, thins and softens formulations

Red Palm Oil

This vibrant red oil is rich in carotenoids that give it both its distinctive color and its traditional place in skincare.

Skincare Properties:

• High in carotenoids and vitamin E: Contains naturally occurring compounds valued for topical use.
• Contains natural antioxidants: Supports skin's resilience against everyday environmental exposure.
• Traditionally used for skin tone: Its natural pigments are part of its traditional use for skin appearance.

Haircare Properties:

• Conditions hair: Coats hair strands with a moisture-sealing layer for improved softness.
• Supports hair strength: Conditions hair fibers to help withstand environmental stress.
• Adds natural color vibrancy: Enhances hair's natural color tones, especially helpful for red and brown hair.

Texture Effect: Semi-solid at room temperature, adds medium firmness

Palm Kernel Oil

Extracted from the kernel of the oil palm fruit, this oil is similar to coconut oil in composition and is traditionally used for cleansing.

Skincare Properties:

• Moisturizing: Creates a light protective layer that retains skin's natural moisture.
• Contains lauric acid: A naturally occurring fatty acid, part of its traditional use profile.
• Creates protective barrier: Forms a shield against environmental pollutants and harsh weather.

Haircare Properties:

• Conditions hair: Softens and smooths hair strands for easier combing and styling.
• Adds shine: Enhances hair's natural luster by smoothing the cuticle layer.
• Helps with manageability: Reduces tangling and makes hair easier to style without excess weight.

Texture Effect: Firm at room temperature, increases product hardness

Texture Properties of Ingredients

Understanding how each ingredient affects the final consistency of your product is crucial:

Ingredient	Texture Effect
Shea Butter	Medium firmness at room temperature, creates creamy textures
Cocoa Butter	Firm/hard at room temperature, increases product firmness
Kombo Butter	Soft, helps create spreadable products
Coconut Oil	Typically solid at cooler room temperatures but melts easily, creates softer products
Shea Oil	Liquid, softens formulations
Baobab Oil	Liquid, thins and softens formulations
Red Palm Oil	Semi-solid at room temperature, adds medium firmness
Palm Kernel Oil	Firm at room temperature, increases product hardness

How These Ingredients Compare

Shea butter and cocoa butter are both solid African fats used in DIY skincare, but they behave differently on skin and in formulations. Shea butter is softer and melts at a lower temperature, making it easier to apply directly as a body moisturiser. Cocoa butter is harder and slower-melting, which makes it better suited for balms, solid bars, and products that need to hold their shape in warm conditions. For a general body moisturiser, shea butter is the more versatile choice. For a firm lip balm or body bar, cocoa butter gives better structure. Baraka sources both directly through women's cooperatives in Ghana's Upper West Region.

Shea butter and shea oil come from the same source but behave very differently. Shea butter is solid at room temperature and is best for intensive body moisturising and products that need a rich, slow-absorbing texture. Shea oil is liquid and absorbs much more quickly, making it better suited for facial serums, light body oils, and formulations where a heavy feel is not wanted. If you have dry skin and want deep conditioning, choose shea butter. If you want something that disappears into skin quickly, choose shea oil. Many DIY formulators use both — shea butter as the moisture foundation and shea oil as the finishing layer.

Commercial moisturisers are mostly water held together with emulsifiers and preserved with synthetic chemicals. They feel good immediately but the moisture evaporates, and the preservatives can irritate sensitive skin. Shea butter contains no water and requires no preservatives, delivering genuine occlusive moisture that does not evaporate. Its fatty acid profile closely matches human skin, which is why it absorbs genuinely rather than sitting as a surface film. Baraka's shea butter is hand-processed by women's cooperatives using traditional water-based methods — the same methods used for generations across West Africa.

Kombo butter is significantly harder than shea butter and has a higher melting point. This makes it less suited for direct skin application on its own, but highly effective as a warming, deep-penetrating treatment for hands, knees, and elbows. Shea butter is the better choice for general body moisturising. Kombo butter is the better choice when you want a warming sensation and deeper penetration in specific areas. The two work well together — shea butter as the moisture base, kombo butter for targeted comfort.

Baobab oil and argan oil are both lightweight oils used for skin conditioning, but baobab oil has a significantly richer omega fatty acid profile, including omega-3, which argan oil lacks. Baobab oil is sourced from across sub-Saharan Africa, where it has been used in traditional skincare for generations. Argan oil is primarily sourced from Morocco. For mature skin needing repair support and elasticity, baobab oil's broader fatty acid range makes it the stronger choice. Baraka's baobab oil is cold-pressed and sourced through direct cooperative relationships in Ghana.

Both baobab and rosehip oil are used for skin conditioning and repair. Rosehip oil has a shorter shelf life and is more prone to oxidation. Baobab oil is more stable, lasts longer, and absorbs more readily without leaving residue. For daily use on mature or sensitive skin, baobab oil's stability and absorption profile make it easier to work with and more economical over time.

Palm kernel oil and coconut oil are both light, fast-absorbing oils with high lauric acid content. Palm kernel oil is slightly lighter and absorbs marginally faster, making it the better choice when minimal residue is the priority. Coconut oil has a more familiar texture for most DIY makers and is slightly easier to source. For the lightest possible finish in a formulation, palm kernel oil is the choice. For everyday DIY use where absorption speed is less critical, traditional coconut oil works equally well.

Traditional coconut oil is village-processed using methods that preserve the full lauric acid content and naturally occurring beneficial compounds. Refined coconut oil has been processed to remove scent and extend shelf life, but this process also removes a portion of the naturally occurring compounds. For skincare formulations, traditional processing produces a more complete ingredient. Baraka's Traditional Coconut Oil is processed by village women under rigorous quality control — the same distinction that separates factory shea butter from genuine hand-made shea butter.

Red palm oil gets its deep orange colour from high carotenoid content — the same compounds that give carrots and sweet potatoes their colour, and that act as antioxidants in skincare. Refined palm oil has been bleached and deodorised, removing the carotenoids entirely. For overnight repair formulations where antioxidant support is the goal, only unrefined red palm oil delivers those compounds. The colour fades as it absorbs. Baraka's Red Palm Oil is unrefined and traditionally processed.

The butters and oils used in these recipes have been applied to skin for generations in West Africa — including through the Harmattan season, when dry, dust-laden winds from the Sahara create exactly the kind of harsh, drying conditions that mature and sensitive skin faces year-round. Commercial skincare was not designed for this. African butters were. They contain no water, require no preservatives, and have fatty acid profiles that match human skin — which is why they absorb genuinely rather than coating the surface and evaporating.

Ethical Sourcing Matters

If the social and environmental impact of your ingredients matters to you, choose suppliers like Baraka Shea Butter who can provide clear information about:

• Where ingredients come from
• Who produces them
• How they benefit local communities
• Environmental sustainability practices

Baraka's shea butter, cocoa butter, and other ingredients are sourced through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. Wayne Dunn has maintained direct cooperative relationships with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre for over 15 years, and the women there receive a fair-trade premium directly, without intermediaries. You can read more about Baraka's social and environmental impact here.

Essential Equipment for Beginners

You don't need specialized equipment to get started—most items can be found in your kitchen:

Basic Tools:

• Double boiler (or a heat-safe glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water)
• Digital kitchen scale (for accurate measurements)
• Heat-resistant silicone spatulas for stirring
• Small whisks
• Glass or metal mixing bowls
• Clean storage containers (amber glass jars are ideal for preserving natural products)
• Labels and marker (always date and label your creations!)
• Thermometer (helpful but not essential for beginners)

Nice-to-Have Items:

• Hand mixer or stand mixer (for whipping body butters)
• Small funnels for transferring to containers
• Pipettes for essential oils
• Spray bottles for liquid products
• Molds for solid products like lotion bars

Your First DIY Project: Start Simple

Begin with a simple project to build confidence. Here are three beginner-friendly options:

Basic Whipped Body Butter

Introduction

This luxurious whipped body butter melts on contact with your skin, providing deep hydration without any greasy residue. Made with just a few natural ingredients, it's incredibly easy to create at home.

Benefits

• Shea Butter: Rich in vitamins A, E, and F, provides intense moisture, soothes skin, and is traditionally used to calm the look of irritated skin
• Coconut Oil: Contains medium-chain fatty acids that are part of its traditional use profile, providing deep hydration

What This Recipe Helps With:

• Dry Skin: The combination of shea butter and coconut oil creates a moisture barrier that helps condition dry, cracked skin.
• Eczema & Psoriasis-Prone Skin: Shea butter is traditionally used to help calm the appearance of irritated skin.
• Aging Skin: Vitamin E and other antioxidants support skin's resilience against everyday environmental exposure.
• Stretch Marks: Regular application supports skin suppleness during periods of change; it is not a treatment for stretch marks.

How to make it

This body butter requires just two main ingredients melted together and whipped to create a cloud-like texture that absorbs beautifully into the skin.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (4 oz / 113g) Shea Butter
• 1/4 cup (2 oz / 57g) Coconut Oil
• Optional: 10-15 drops of essential oil of choice

Essential Oils

• Lavender: A calming scent, traditionally used to help soothe skin
• Frankincense: Traditionally used for a warm, grounding scent; may support the look of scars over time
• Sweet Orange: An uplifting scent
• Ylang Ylang: A calming floral scent

Essential Oils to Avoid

• Citrus oils (when used in high concentrations): Can cause photosensitivity when skin is exposed to sunlight
• Cinnamon, Clove, and Oregano: These oils can be irritating to sensitive skin and should be used in very small amounts or avoided

Instructions

1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil together using a double boiler on low heat
2. Remove from heat once fully melted
3. Add essential oils if desired
4. Allow to cool until the mixture begins to solidify at the edges (placing in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes helps)
5. Whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes)
6. Transfer to a clean jar

How to use and store
Apply to clean, slightly damp skin for best absorption. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months; refrigeration in hot weather will prevent melting but may alter the whipped texture.

Customization & Variations
Customize your body butter by adding 1 tablespoon of argan oil for extra conditioning, or substitute cocoa butter for some of the shea butter for a chocolate-scented variation. For sensitive skin, leave out the essential oils completely.

Why make this
Commercial moisturizers often contain preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and other chemicals that can irritate skin. This natural alternative gives you complete control over the ingredients while providing hydration.

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Simple Lip Balm

Introduction

This simple, all-natural lip balm provides long-lasting hydration and conditioning for dry, chapped lips. With just three base ingredients, you can create your own version in minutes.

Benefits

• Beeswax/Candelilla Wax: Creates a protective barrier on lips while allowing skin to breathe
• Shea Butter: Deeply moisturizes, contains vitamins A and E for conditioning
• Coconut Oil: Contains naturally occurring compounds and absorbs quickly into skin

What This Recipe Helps With:

• Chapped Lips: The wax creates a protective barrier while the butter and oil provide deep hydration to condition cracked, dry lips.
• Sun Protection: This is not a replacement for SPF products and does not provide sun protection on its own.
• Cold Sore-Prone Skin: Coconut oil and shea butter are traditionally used together as a general lip conditioning combination.
• Aging Around Mouth: Regular use helps keep the delicate skin around the lips hydrated.

How to make it

This lip balm comes together quickly by melting three simple ingredients, with the option to customize with essential oils for fragrance and additional benefits.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz / 14g) Beeswax or Candelilla Wax (vegan option)
• 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz / 14g) Shea Butter
• 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz / 14g) Coconut Oil
• Optional: 2-3 drops of essential oil (peppermint, sweet orange, etc.)

Essential Oils

• Peppermint: Provides a cooling sensation
• Sweet Orange: Offers a pleasant citrus scent and natural flavor
• Vanilla: Creates a sweet, comforting scent and flavor
• Tea Tree (just 1 drop): A traditionally used oil in small amounts for lip balm

Essential Oils to Avoid

• Cinnamon and Clove: Can cause a burning sensation on sensitive lip tissue
• Wintergreen: Contains methyl salicylate which can be toxic if accidentally ingested

Instructions

1. Melt all ingredients except essential oils in a double boiler
2. Remove from heat and add essential oils if using
3. Quickly pour into lip balm tubes or small containers
4. Allow to cool completely before capping

How to use and store

Apply as needed throughout the day to maintain hydration. Store at room temperature for up to a year; may soften in hot weather but can be refrigerated to solidify.

Customization & Variations

Add 1/4 teaspoon of honey, a pinch of cinnamon for a natural lip plumper, or a small amount of beetroot powder for a subtle tint. Adjust the wax-to-oil ratio for different levels of firmness depending on your climate.

Why make this

Commercial lip balms often contain petroleum-based ingredients and artificial flavors. This natural version conditions your lips while providing immediate relief from dryness.

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Nourishing Hair Oil

Introduction

This lightweight hair oil blend provides conditioning for dry, damaged, or frizzy hair without weighing it down. Simple to make with just three base oils.

Benefits

• Shea Oil: Contains vitamins A, E, and F, and is traditionally used on damaged-feeling hair
• Coconut Oil: Penetrates hair shaft to help reduce protein loss and provide deep conditioning
• Baobab Oil: Rich in omega fatty acids, supports hair conditioning and adds shine

What This Recipe Helps With:

• Dry, Damaged-Feeling Hair: The combination of oils conditions and moisturizes damaged-feeling hair strands.
• Frizz Control: Creates a light protective layer that tames frizz and flyaways without greasiness.
• Scalp Comfort: Traditionally used to condition a dry, itchy scalp.
• Split Ends: Regular use can temporarily smooth the look of split ends between haircuts.
• Hair Feel: The natural fatty acids condition hair strands for a softer feel.

How to make it

This simple oil blend requires just mixing three oils together, with the option to add essential oils for a pleasant aroma.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (1 oz / 30ml) Shea Oil
• 2 tablespoons (1 oz / 30ml) Coconut Oil
• 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz / 15ml) Baobab Oil
• Optional: 5 drops of essential oil (lavender, rosemary, etc.)

Essential Oils

• Rosemary: Traditionally used on the scalp
• Lavender: A calming scent, traditionally used on the scalp
• Cedarwood: Traditionally used to help balance the look of oily hair
• Peppermint: Creates a cooling sensation on the scalp

Essential Oils to Avoid

• Oregano and Thyme: Too strong for scalp application and may cause irritation
• Undiluted Cinnamon and Clove: Can cause a burning sensation on sensitive scalp

Instructions

1. Combine all oils in a small bottle
2. Shake well to mix
3. Apply a small amount to damp or dry hair as needed

How to use and store

Apply a small amount (2-5 drops for short to medium hair, 5-10 for long hair) to damp hair before styling, or to dry hair to tame frizz and add shine. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Customization & Variations

For thicker hair, add 1/2 tablespoon of castor oil for extra conditioning; for fine hair, replace some of the coconut oil with lighter jojoba oil. For a scalp treatment, add 2-3 drops of peppermint and rosemary essential oils.

Why make this

Commercial hair products often contain silicones that provide temporary shine but build up over time. This natural oil blend conditions hair with every application.

Tips for DIY Success

• Always start with clean tools and work surfaces
• Measure ingredients by weight rather than volume for consistency
• Take notes on each recipe you make so you can replicate or adjust
• Store products properly—many natural formulations do better in cool, dark places
• Natural products typically have shorter shelf lives than commercial ones (usually 3-6 months)
• Consider adding vitamin E oil (tocopherol) as a natural preservative to extend shelf life

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Using too many ingredients in one product
• Not allowing mixtures to properly cool before whipping
• Contaminating products with wet or unclean hands
• Expecting natural products to behave exactly like commercial ones
• Using ingredients past their expiration dates
• Adding too much essential oil (can cause skin irritation)

Finding Inspiration

Once you've mastered the basics, explore the wealth of DIY skincare recipes available. Baraka Shea Butter offers a wide range of DIY skincare recipes online at https://www.barakasheabutter.com/blogs/shea-butter-recipes.

Where to Go Next

For a broader guide to natural mother and baby skincare, see The Mother & Baby DIY Skincare Hub: Recipes, Guides & Ingredients from Ghana and The Complete Guide to Natural Baby Skincare: Safe Ingredients, DIY Recipes & Expert Tips. For the tools you'll need to set up your DIY space, see DIY From Kitchen to Nursery: Essential Tools for DIY Mother & Baby Skincare. To understand why simple ingredient lists matter, see DIY Baby Balms: Why Ingredient Simplicity Matters Most. For a first formulation to try, see DIY Newborn Oil & Balm (First Touch). For guidance on formulating without water or preservatives, see Preservative-Free Formulating: Creating Safe, Fresh Baby Products with Baraka Ingredients. For Abdulai Fadila's story, see YOUR IMPACT: Abdulai Fadila.

Browse the full DIY Ingredients Collection and Recipe Kits Collection.

Why DIY Skincare Is Worth It

1. Simple Ingredient Choices: You control exactly what goes on your skin, choosing ingredients you recognize and understand.
2. Cost-Effective: High-quality natural skincare products are expensive to buy but affordable to make. A small investment in ingredients yields multiple products.
3. Customization: Adjust ingredients to suit your specific preferences and texture needs.
4. Environmental Impact: Reduce packaging waste and support sustainable ingredient sources.
5. Satisfaction: There's genuine joy in creating something with your own hands.

Final Thoughts

Remember that DIY skincare is a journey. You'll learn more with each creation, developing an intuitive understanding of how ingredients work together. Enjoy the process of discovering what works best for your unique skin and hair needs!

Start simple, experiment freely, and most importantly—have fun taking control of your personal care routine with natural, wholesome ingredients.

Ready to get started? Browse our selection of ethically sourced, pure, unrefined natural ingredients at Baraka Shea Butter and begin your DIY skincare adventure today!

What We Know and How We Know It

The traditional use of shea butter, cocoa butter, kombo butter, and the oils covered in this guide comes from generations of practice across West Africa. The listed fatty acid and vitamin content is well-characterised in published literature. The specific recipes and personal tips in this guide reflect common DIY practice and one contributor's own experience rather than clinical claims; this article is not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients should a beginner start DIY skincare with?

Shea butter and coconut oil are the two easiest ingredients to start with — both are forgiving, widely available, and work well together in a basic whipped body butter. Starting with 2-3 ingredients keeps the learning curve simple before you branch into more complex formulations.

Do I need special equipment to start making DIY skincare?

No — most beginner recipes only need a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl over a saucepan), a digital kitchen scale, a spatula, and clean storage jars. A hand mixer helps for whipped products but isn't required to get started.

Is shea butter or coconut oil better for a first DIY project?

Both work well together as a starting pair. Shea butter is thicker and gives body to a formulation; coconut oil is lighter and absorbs quickly. Many beginner recipes, including the whipped body butter in this guide, use both together.

How long do homemade skincare products last?

Anhydrous (water-free) products like whipped body butter, lip balm, and hair oil typically last 3-6 months when stored in a cool, dark place. Adding a small amount of vitamin E oil can help extend shelf life.

How do you choose high-quality ingredients for DIY skincare?

Look for unrefined, traditionally processed butters and oils, and ask your supplier whether they can provide clear information on where ingredients come from, who produces them, and how communities benefit. Avoid heavily refined ingredients where possible, since refining can reduce some naturally occurring compounds.

Can I add essential oils to my first DIY skincare recipes?

Yes, in small amounts — lavender, sweet orange, and frankincense are common beginner-friendly choices. Avoid cinnamon, clove, and oregano oils, which can irritate skin, and use citrus oils cautiously since they can increase sun sensitivity.

Where does Baraka source its shea butter and other ingredients?

Baraka's shea butter, cocoa butter, and other ingredients are sourced through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. Wayne Dunn has maintained direct cooperative relationships with the Centre for over 15 years, and the women there receive a fair-trade premium directly, without intermediaries.

What's the most common mistake beginners make with DIY skincare?

Using too many ingredients in one product is the most common beginner mistake — it makes troubleshooting harder if something doesn't turn out right. Starting with 2-3 ingredients and understanding what each one does makes it much easier to adjust future recipes.

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 spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.