What is Shea Butter?

Shea Butter is derived from the Shea tree, which grows in the Sahel belt, which extends from Western Africa to parts of East Africa. Shea Butter has been used in these regions for centuries as a hair and skin moisturizer, a healing balm and even for cooking. In most parts of West Africa, newborns are rubbed down with Shea butter from the time they are born, because it is a great soothing cream for baby’s delicate skin. Current research shows that Shea butter used consistently over a period of time softens and smoothes the skin. Shea Butter reduces wrinkles and provides some UV protection. Shea Butter also helps reduce the occurrence of stretch marks in pregnant women. Experience and research have helped us to develop unrefined Shea products that maintain their therapeutic and moisturizing integrity without sacrificing the customers need for a pleasant smelling product. 

Is your Shea Butter Organic?

Yes. The shea nuts from which our shea butter is prepared are wild harvested.  All shea trees in this area grow wild and their subsequent products are free of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic substances. Hence, the product we produce is purely organic and safe to use.

Are you certified Organic?

Even though Organic certification will allow us to mark up our prices by approximately 33% we have chosen not to do so at this time. Our Shea butter meets organic requirements because no chemicals are used in the growing or production of the butter. We believe that the educated consumer will be aware that Shea butter that is produced and extracted in Africa is organic by nature with or without certification.

How is your shea butter produced?

Our shea butter is produced using the cold press process. No chemical solvents are involved.

Are there any additives or preservatives in your shea butter?

No.  The raw unrefined shea butter that we use and distribute does not contain hexane or any other solvents or additives.

What is the color and texture of your shea butter?

Our shea butter varies from off-white to light yellow to a golden color. We specifically offer a choice of either the off-white or yellow for purchase.  The color of shea butter is determined strictly by the nuts used when making the butter.  In our experience, there is no difference in the benefits imparted by either color, it is simply a matter of color choice.  At room temperature, the texture is smooth and malleable like cookie dough. Shea butter is softer in the spring and summer and harder in the fall and winter. For best results, store the unused portion of your shea butter in a dry, cool and dark place for up to 18-24 months. We package it in an air tight container and as long as it is not mixed with any other products, it will remain safe for use.

What is the difference between refined and unrefined shea butter?

Unrefined shea butter contains a sizeable quantity of unsaponifiable fats, vitamins and other essential elements, which help cell regeneration and capillary circulation. Unrefined shea promotes the healing of small wounds, stretch marks, eczema, cracked and irritated skin and skin ulcers. It is said that unrefined shea provides some level of UV protection because it contains cinnamic acid. Unrefined shea butter has a natural, earthy and nutty scent which is great for the skin and has therapeutic effects.

Refined shea butter on the other hand is white and odorless. The refining process removes the natural scent and color, and unfortunately strips the natural shea butter of all its therapeutic properties. The process may involve the use of harsh chemicals such as hexane. Refined shea butter may be aesthetically appealing, but lacks the true moisturizing, healing and nutritive properties of unrefined shea butter.  

What about East African Shea Butter?

There is some debate as to which shea butter is better, West African (Vitellaria Paradoxa) or East African (Vitellaria Nilotica).  East African Shea Butter is different from that of the West African varieties in that it is higher in olein (the liquid part of the Shea Butter). Because of this, East African Shea Butter is softer and more fragrant than West African Shea Butter.  The product is highly valued and gives Ugandan women farmers over five times the amount received by their West African counterparts. East African or Ugandan Shea Butter has a higher absorption rate due to lower saturated fatty acids. East African Shea Butter has less vitamin A and less sterols. 

East African or Ugandan Shea Butter is more rare than West African Shea Butter and is extremely difficult to find.  When you do find it, it is selling up to the equivalent of $40 per two ounce jar on some websites. 

We only offer West African Shea Butter.

How does Shea Butter benefit my skin?

Shea Butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F.  Vitamins A and E help maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy.  They are particularly helpful for sun damaged skin. They help prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines.  Vitamin F acts as a skin protector and rejuvenator. It soothes rough, dry or chapped skin and helps soften dry or damaged hair.  Shea Butter is high in unsaponifiables (a type of fat).  Shea Butter has between 7-12% unsaponifiables.  For comparison, avocado oil, a well known skin conditioner, has between 2-6%.  This high level of unsaponifiables is one of the properties that makes Shea Butter so invaluable in treating the conditions listed above.   Also, Shea Butter easily penetrates the skin allowing the skin to breathe and not clogging pores.  Shea Butter has a high level of cinnamic acid, a natural sun screen.  So, it provides some degree of protection from the sun.  Shea Butter is also anti-inflammatory making it useful in treating rheumatism. 

While we make no medical claims about our Shea Butter, we do have anecdotal evidence that it is very useful in treating many skin conditions.  We have had several customers who have used Shea Butter for eczema and/or psoriasis and told us it works as well as steroids at a fraction of the cost and without the side effects.  We have another customer who works for the head of plastic surgery at a major medical facility who recommends raw shea butter for wound healing over expensive prescriptions and also recommends it for customers dealing with damaged skin due to chemotherapy treatments.

How does Shea Butter benefit my hair?

Shea Butter provides moisture to dry or damaged hair from the roots to the very tips, repairing and protecting against weather damage, dryness and brittleness.  It also absorbs quickly and completely into the scalp to rehydrate without clogging pores.  It is particularly beneficial for processed and heat-treated hair.  It is an excellent treatment for dry scalp. It restores luster to damaged hair.

What can I do with Grainy Shea Butter? 

According to our research, Shea Butter becomes grainy as a result of crystals forming in the butter. Crystals form as a result of daytime heat and then a slow cooling during the overnight hours.

Recommendations for getting rid of grainy texture (If it bothers you)

1.     Put Shea in double boiler and heat to 175 degrees.

2.     Maintain temperature for about 25 minutes. The heat will melt down fat crystals.

3.     It is recommended that rapid cooling after the melt down may prevent crystals from reforming

It is important to note that grainy textured butter is not necessarily a sign of a bad product. It’s just the reaction of a tropical product adjusting to a foreign environment. Imagine Shea Butter with goose bumps :)