Made from the nut of the shea tree, shea butter has been proven to have a lot of great properties. It helps produce collagen, moisturizes, fights inflammation and is hypoallergenic. Knowing this, shea butter has become cosmetic companies’ golden child.

You don’t have to go pay a high price to get the benefits of shea butter, though. You can make your own great beauty products right at home. Check out these 6 great ways you can put shea butter to work for you.

1. Stretch Mark Cream

  • The anti-aging and collagen boosting properties of shea butter make it perfect for lightening stretch marks.
  • Dr. Axecombines 3 ounces of coconut oil, 3/4 ounce cocoa butter, 3/4 ounce shea butter, 3 tablespoons almond oil and 6 tablespoons water in a double boiler on a stove.
  • Melt the oils until they are liquid and stir in the water and oils are thoroughly mixed.
  • Remove from the heat and continue to stir until the oils reach room temperature and are creamy.
  • Add 2 teaspoons vitamin E oil, 20 drops lavender essential oil, 20 drops cypress essential oil, 10 drops grapefruit essential oil and 10 drops helichrysum essential oil.
  • Stir until the cream is completely mixed and pour it into jars.

2. Body Butter

  • Shea butter is a great moisturizer and has the added benefit of being hypoallergenic.
  • To make your own body butter, Wellness Mama recommends combining 1/2 cup shea butter, 1/2 cup coconut oil and 1/2 cup olive oil in a double boiler on the stove.
  • Heat over medium until all the oils melt.
  • Remove and add 10 to 30 drops of your favorite essential oils.
  • Mix thoroughly. Place in the refrigerator for one hour to let cool. Whip the mixture with a hand mixer to get it fluffy and then jar it.

3. Acne Treatment

  • Part of treating acne is calming inflamed skin and giving it proper moisturizers.
  • Shea butter is great for that.
  • Beauty Munsta makes a facial moisturizer by combining 4 tablespoons shea butter, 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel, 1/2 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon rose water, 4 drops tea tree oil, 4 drops geranium oil and 4 drops lavender oil.
  • Blend this together in a blender and apply it to your face after washing.

4. Pain Relief Bar

  • Proven to have anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter can be used to create a bar that will act like a lotion and can be rubbed onto the hands or other joints when needed.
  • Wellness Mama combines 1/3 cup coconut oil, 1/3 cup shea butter and 1/3 cup beeswax in a double boiler and melts them together over medium heat.
  • Stir together and add 1 tablespoon menthol crystals.
  • Stir until the crystal is completely dissolved.
  • Add 10 drops of peppermint oil and 1/2 teaspoon of arnica oil. Mix completely and pour into molds and let them harden.

5. Cracked Heel Treatment

  • Because shea butter is a great moisturizer, it helps heal deep cracks in the skin.
  • Mother Nature Network recommends putting shea butter on your feet at night and covering them with socks.
  • This will allow the butter to soak in and do its magic.

6. Hair Mask

  • Shea butter moisturizes skin, but some like to also use it to moisturize the hair.
  • Beauty Munsta makes a hair mask from 1 to 3 tablespoons shea butter and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted in a double boiler.
  • Once melted, add 2 to 3 drops of bergamot essential oil and whip with a beater until fluffy.
  • Work it through your hair from the roots to tips and cover your hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes.
  • When the time is up, wash and style your hair as normal.