What is Shea Butter?
Shea Butter is a natural, creamy fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It is packed with bioactive nutrients that provide exceptional moisturizing and skin-healing properties. Shea butter has been used for centuries across Africa for skincare, protection against harsh climates, and traditional healing. Today, it is a sought-after ingredient in cosmetics, personal care, food, and healthcare industries.
Where Does Shea Butter Come From?
The shea tree grows exclusively within the 'Shea Belt,' a region spanning 19 countries across West and East Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia. These trees thrive in dry savannah climates and produce fruit once a year. Inside the fruit is a nut, which contains the seed from which shea butter is extracted.
The main shea butter-producing countries include Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, and Uganda. These nations are recognized for producing some of the highest-quality shea butter in the world.
There are two main varieties:
Vitellaria paradoxa (West Africa)
-Vitellaria nilotica (East Africa)
The composition and texture of shea butter can vary slightly depending on the region.
What Sets Shea Butter Apart from Other Natural Oils
Most seed oils can be divided into two fractions:
Saponifiable Fraction (Moisturizing Fraction): The part of the oil that reacts with alkali to form soap. It contains triglycerides and fatty acids responsible for moisturization.
Unsaponifiable Fraction (Healing Fraction): The portion of the oil that does not turn into soap during saponification. It contains bioactive compounds, such as vitamins and phytosterols, responsible for healing and anti-inflammatory effects.
What makes shea butter unique is its exceptionally large healing fraction. While most seed oils have a healing fraction of around 1% or less, shea butter’s healing fraction can range from 5% up to 17%, depending on the source. This healing fraction is rich in important nutrients, vitamins, and phytonutrients essential for treating various skin conditions such as blemishes, wrinkles, sunburns, eczema, and more. It is because of these healing qualities that the shea tree earned the name 'karite,' meaning 'Tree of Life'.
Is it true shea butter (Shea Butter vs. African Butter)?
Sometimes consumers confuse shea butter with 'African Butter' (also known as river butter). Here are the key differences:
- Shea Butter (Vitellaria paradoxa) vs. African Butter (Pentadesma butyracea)
- Shea grows in dry arid highlands; African Butter grows near rivers and lowlands
- Shea Butter has a larger healing fraction (3–6%) vs. African Butter's smaller healing fraction (1–2%)
- Shea has 94–97% moisturizing fraction vs. African Butter's 98–99%
- Common names: Shea Butter/Karite vs. River Butter/Kanga Butter
- Color: Ivory to light yellow vs. mustard yellow
Shea butter is preferred for cosmetic and therapeutic uses due to its higher healing content.
Key Components of Shea Butter
- Fatty Acids: Stearic, oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids nourish and protect the skin.
- Triterpenoids: Natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties aiding skin regeneration.
- Vitamins A, E, and F: Essential for skin repair, elasticity, and protection against environmental stress.
- Natural UV Protection: Provides mild natural defense against ultraviolet radiation.
Unrefined vs. Refined Shea Butter
What is Unrefined Shea Butter?
Unrefined shea butter, also called 'crude' or 'raw' shea butter, is extracted with chemical solvents or extensive mechanical pressing. It retains its natural color, aroma, and full range of bioactive compounds. However, it may contain impurities and typically has a strong, nutty or smoky odor. It has a shorter shelf life and a higher free fatty acid content.
What is the Refining Process?
Refining involves filtration, deodorization, and sometimes bleaching to purify the butter. This removes impurities, reduces odor, lightens color, and improves stability, though some healing compounds may diminish.
Comparison:
- Unrefined Shea Butter: Ivory to pale yellow, strong aroma, high bioactivity, shorter shelf life, and impurities.
- Refined Shea Butter: White to ivory white, neutral scent, excellent moisturizing with longer shelf life, easier to formulate, but reduced healing properties depending on the refining process.
21 reasons to use shea butter
Shea Butter will provide improvement in all the conditions listed below. As you use this multi-purpose cream you are likely to discover additional uses. The amount of time required for optimum results with various conditions may vary with each condition. Wrinkles, for example, require 4 to 6 weeks of daily use. Itching is relieved immediately.
1. Dry skin
2. Skin rash
3. Skin peeling, after tanning
4. Blemishes and wrinkles
5. Itching skin
6. Sunburn
7. Shaving cream for a smooth silky shave
8. Small skin wounds
9. Skin cracks
10. Tough or rough skin (on feet.)
11. Cold weather
12. Frost bites
13. Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy
14. Insect bites
15. Healthy skin
16. Muscle fatigue, aches and tension
17. Before and after strenuous exercise
18. Skin allergies such as poison ivy or poison oak
19. Eczema
20. Dermatitis
21. Skin damage from heat (hot grease while cooking, radiation treatment for certain medical problems, etc.)
The information provided here or elsewhere on this site is not intended to constitute professional medical advice for treatment. Weencourage you to consult your personal physician with any questions you may have regarding medical condition.
Physical Properties
- Melting Range: 28–37°C, melts at skin temperature.
- Texture: Rich, creamy, smooth.
- Color: Naturally ivory to pale yellow; bright white indicates heavy refinement.