Shea Butter

What quality of shea butter is best?

Unrefined shea butter is the least processed. Shea butter retains more natural properties, vitamins, a yellowish color and a specific smoky smell, which not everyone may like.

Refined shea butter has a more uniform consistency, no specific smell and a lighter color. Unscented refined shea butter does not affect the color and smell of the product and allows the essential oils and scents of the aroma oil to emerge best.

Organic unrefined shea butter is made from controlled raw materials - no pesticides or fertilizers are allowed during cultivation.Shea butter retains more natural properties, vitamins, a yellowish color and a specific smoky smell, which not everyone may like.

Organic refined shea butter is made from controlled raw materials - no pesticides or fertilizers are allowed during cultivation.Shea butter is refined with filtration and steam to remove specific smell and make the colour lighter.

Whn using unrefined shea butter in cosmetics, its properties must be taken into account:

• smoky smell also affects the smell of the product
• the consistency is more uneven
• compared to refined, unrefined shea butter has a greater tendency to become grainy.

The composition of fatty acids is the same in refined and unrefined shea butter. Stearic acid, which is more than 40% in shea butter, preserves the moisture in the skin, increases its elasticity and helps skin injuries to heal faster. High proportion of oleic acid is moisturizing and supports the renewal of skin cells, for example in case of sunburn or skin cracks. It has less linoleic acid than other vegetable oils, which relieves flaking. Also, the amount of palmitic acid, which forms a protective layer on the surface of the skin, is smaller than cocoa and mango butter.

Shea butter in different package sizes

You can buy shea butter in packages of 300 g to 25 kg. The 300-gram package is sufficient for making body butter, body scrub and lip balm for personal use. However, if there is a greater desire to experiment, the kilo quantity is packed in a laminated airtight bag or plastic jar with a closure. 25 kg is packed as one block in a lined box. Shea butter is sold through the e-store and we send the goods to the parcel machine.

Storage

The long-term preservation of shea butter requires storage in an environment with a stable temperature (preferably below 20 degrees). The package should definitely be kept closed, an open package promotes oxidation of the product. Make sure that no water or foreign particles get into the package, which can cause mold.

Using shea butter in cosmetics

Since shea butter melts at around +35 °C, it is suitable to be applied directly to the skin. The fat melts quickly on the skin, but the oily layer remains on the skin for a longer time.

There are various active ingredients in shea butter. Cinnamic acid provides mild UV protection and is anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce skin redness and irritation. Allantoin also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Vitamin E acts as a skin softener.

The comedogenicity index of shea butter is 0-2, which means that the probability of clogging the pores is small and the product is suitable for a wide variety of skin types.

This herbal creamy butter is most often used in various body scrubs and body butters with a thicker consistency. Shea butter is also an ideal component for making whipped butter. The composition of the latter is lighter and airier than shea butter without additives, and the application is also convenient due to its softer texture.

When used in oil-in-water creams, shea butter helps to thicken the cream, in lipstick it makes the composition thicker and creamier

Easy and quick recipe ideas with shea butter

Lighter body butter

The addition of oil makes shea butter absorb faster and easier. Heat the shea butter in a water bath and add your favorite vegetable oil (almond oil, jojoba oil) to the melted butter - the ratio should be about 20 g of oil per 100 g of shea butter. Mix thoroughly. Immediately place in the refrigerator to cool, then the shea butter will not have time to crystallize.

 Body scrub with sugar

Put equal amounts of shea butter and brown sugar in a bowl. Mix with a spoon or a small fork until the shea butter is slightly softened and the butter is evenly mixed. If desired, you can add fragrance to the mixture, about 1 drop per tablespoon of mixture. Since it only takes a few minutes to prepare the body scrub, we recommend mixing the prepared fresh mixture every time before entering the sauna or shower. To use, massage the sugar mixture onto damp skin. Rub until the shea butter is absorbed into the skin. Wash off the sugar residue. A body scrub with shea butter and sugar has several functions: shea butter helps retain moisture in the skin and softens the skin, while rubbing with sugar removes dead skin cells.

Peppermint lip balm

Take 2 teaspoons of shea butter and 1 teaspoon of liquid oil (for example, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil). Melt shea butter in a water bath or microwave and mix with liquid oil. Add 2 drops of peppermint oil. Pour into a jar to solidify. Peppermint essential oil adds a pleasant vibrancy to the lip balm!