Shea Butter Extra Refined

Shea Butter Extra Refined
(Butyrospermum Parkii)

Butyrospermum from Gr. Boutyron for butter, sperma for seed in allusion to the fatty seeds.

The unique shea tree is native to Africa and can now be found in 19 regions from Senegal to Ethiopia. Each summer, the tree bears a fruit the size of a plum, which contains a nut. Shea butter is the fat extracted from the seed that is removed from the shea nut. The nuts are mixed with water and boiled until the butter rises to the surface.

The shea kernels look much like a horse chestnut and are comprised of about 50 percent fat, 10 percent protein and 30 percent carbohydrates.

This shea butter is white in color with a softness rating of 7 and a perfect ingredient for any cosmetic application.

Shea butter is a good emollient for moisturizers and helps to penetrate the skin. Shea butter has a high amount of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, as well as phytosterols, triterpenes, fatty esters and phenolic acids. Vitamins A and E are important in helping to repair skin damage; phytosterols and triterpenes aid in skin allergies; phenolic acids are good for cellular protection.

Shea butter is widely used to protect skin from the sun's UV rays, as well as soften and heal cracked and aged skin.

Common Uses of Shea Butter

Benefits of Shea Butter