How to Melt Unrefined Coconut Oil & Shea Butter

Nature's bounty is endless, and coconut oil is one of its treasures.

Unrefined coconut oil and shea butter are natural products with a range of medicinal and cosmetic benefits. For example, they are used to moisturize skin, soften fingernails, improve hair shine and reduce inflammation. They are sold in edible forms, but can be applied topically. Unrefined coconut oil melts at 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and unrefined shea butter melts at 89 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, both melt when they are applied to human skin. With care, however, they can be melted prior to application to skin.

Things You'll Need

• Spoon
• Tea light candle holder with bowl-shaped piece on top
• Tea light candle
• Match or lighter

Instructions

1. Spoon unrefined coconut oil and shea butter into the bowl-shaped piece at the top of a tea light candle holder. Move only the amount of coconut oil and shea butter you plan to use for one application.

2. Ignite a tea light candle's wick with a match or lighter.

3. Place the tea light candle in its proper spot at the base of the tea light candle holder.

4. 

   A tea light candle works well for this project.

   Monitor the coconut oil-shea butter mixture as it melts, stirring it gently with the spoon as desired.

5. 

   The bowl-shaped piece does not need to be against the candle flame.

   Blow out the tea light candle's flame when the coconut oil-shea butter mixture is warm, but not hot, to the touch. If the mixture is cool enough for you, it is ready to apply to skin, hair or nails.

Tips & Warnings

• Due to their melting points, both coconut oil and shea butter may melt unintentionally in warm climates. Therefore, they should be stored in an environment below their melting-point temperature.

• Do not pour the heated mixture into the coconut oil bottle or shea butter container because doing so will change the product's consistency and interfere with its stability.

References

• SimplySheaButter.com: Frequently Asked Questions
• Tropical Traditions: Frequently Asked Questions -- Coconut Oil