Pure Shea Butter

  • 100% pur
  • Foraged
Rich and nourishing, this butter is an essential part of your home skincare routine: it protects, softens and restructures damaged skin. When incorporated into your hair care products, it nourishes and leaves hair shiny and healthy-looking. This version of shea butter is deodorised, for a more neutral odour and colour in your formulas.
£3.50

Price per L = £35

Features

Properties and uses

Traceability and analysis

Storage and precautions

Find out more

Features

Our commitments

Culture

Foraged

Quality

100% pure and natural butter

Production process

Manual mechanical pressing, followed by purification using physical processes without solvents or chemical raw materials: decolourisation by filtration through bleaching earths and activated carbon, vacuum deodorisation using steam.

Part of the plant extracted

Nuts

Botanical name

Butyrospermum parkii

Botanical family

Sapotaceae

Function

Cosmetic ingredients

Other names

Butter tree, Vitellaria paradoxa

Oxidative potential

Not very sensitive

Find out more about the oxidative potential of butters and oils...

Properties and uses

Skin care

Hair care

Find out more

Properties

As a cosmetic ingredient, plant-based shea butter (wild) is recognised for the following properties:

  • Soothing effects, it calms and relieves tight skin (phytosterols, alpha and beta amyrin).

  • Promotes skin restructuring thanks to the terpene alcohols (lupeol, pareol) and phytosterols it contains.

  • Moisturises* and deeply nourishes the skin.

  • As a skin regenerator, it revitalises tissues and restores the skin's elasticity .

  • Prolongs the effects of tanning

Indications

  • All skin types

  • Skin prone to irritation (shaving, hair removal, laser, etc.)

  • Lips and dry areas of the face and body

  • After-sun care or for skin exposed to extreme weather conditions

  • Hands of manual workers or those exposed to frequent washing (garages, building trades, etc.)

Uses

Use as a cosmetic ingredient in your blends:

  • Before and after sun emulsions or body balms

  • Nourishing body balms

  • Soothing and protective lip balms

  • Night-time facial care for dry skin

  • Soothing and invigorating products for delicate or sensitive skin

  • Satin body products

  • Shower scrub butters mixed with oils and exfoliants

  • Mixed with an active oil blend to soothe muscle tension before and after sport.

  • Restorative hand balms

  • As an active superfatting ingredient for making "superfatted" soaps.

Instant recipe by Aroma-Zone

Synergies

  • For delicate or sensitive skin: spike lavender, Roman chamomile or blue cypress essential oils..

  • For sensitive skin oil products: calendula (CO2 extract and macerated oil).

  • For a soothing cream: yarrow and Roman chamomile hydrosols.

In practice

  • As this butter is quite hard at room temperature, it should be mixed with your oil blend (more or less rich in carrier oils and butters) to make a balm (a mixture of 1 to 80%) or incorporated as a fat in an emulsion (1 to 5%).

  • It can sometimes feel grainy: stir well while cooling.

  • In your bath formula, for satin-smooth, protected skin.

  • In your body blend, for skin care, focusing on dry areas of the body (elbows, hands, feet, legs).

Traceability and analysis

Organoleptic properties

  • Appearance: solid butter at room temperature; oily above 37°C

  • Colour: creamy white

  • Odour: very slight, characteristic of seeds with almond notes

  • Feel: rather hard with a rich texture

Density

0.91 (density corresponds to density at 20°C)

Density at 40°C

0.89 (measured by the Aroma-Zone quality laboratory)

Melting point

37°C (measured by the Aroma-Zone quality laboratory)

Saponification index

160-200

Storage and precautions

Storage

Store in a dry place away from heat and light.

Precautions

Shea butter naturally contains latex and should therefore be avoided if you have a latex allergy.

Find out more

Shea butter is extracted from the fruit of the Shea tree, which only grows wild in the savannahs of West Africa. It can grow to more than 12 metres in height and its stalk can be 2 metres wide. The fleshy fruit resembles a small avocado. Its sweet, edible pulp contains a nut at its centre, which when pressed yields shea butter. This butter has been widely used for its many virtues for centuries in certain regions of Africa.

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Responsible Person

  • EU responsible person: Aroma-Zone FR-84220 Cabrières d’Avignon

  • UK responsible person: Obelis UK Ltd, Sandford Gate, Oxford, OX4 6LB, UK

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Tangy Mandarin lip balm (S. Macheteau)

BeautyLip care

  • 9 g Shea butter

  • 3 g Sesame oil

  • 3 g organic beeswax

  • 1 teaspoonful of honey (manuka honey, for example)

  • 9 drops Mandarin essential oil

Directions: Melt the wax and butter in the oil in a bain-marie. When the wax has melted, remove from the heat and place the container in a cold water bath to cool the preparation. Add the honey and mandarin essential oil and mix vigorously with a mini whisk. Pour immediately into a jar or stick mould before the mixture hardens.

Nourishing body balm with shea butter (S. Macheteau)

BeautyBody care

  • 60 g shea butter

  • 20 g baobab oil

  • 20 g rice bran wax

  • 4 teaspoons plant-based glycerine

  • 20 drops Roman chamomile essential oil

  • 7 drops of natural vitamin E

Directions: Melt the wax and butter in the carrier oil in a bain-marie. When the wax has melted, remove from the heat and leave to cool for a few minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and mix with a whisk or pestle. Pour into the jar before the mixture hardens.

Use: Use in summer and winter to soothe, soften and rehydrate skin exposed to heat or cold.

Detangling balm with shea butter (S. Macheteau)

BeautyHair & nail care

  • 40 ml andiroba carrier oil

  • 25 ml verbena hydrosol

  • 3 g shea butter

  • 4 g rice bran wax

  • 1 teaspoon soy lecithin

  • 1 teaspoon plant-based glycerine

  • 30 drops Litsea cubeba essential oil

  • 20 drops grapefruit seed extract

  • 7 drops of natural vitamin E

Directions: Melt the wax and butter in the carrier oil over a bain-marie. Remove from the heat and add the hydrosol in small quantities while emulsifying. Then add the soy lecithin. Next add the glycerine and the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Use: Apply a small dab of balm to the ends of your hair after shampooing. Massage into hair without brushing and rinse thoroughly.

Nourishing hand balm (H. Baron and T. Chagnoux)

BeautyBody care

For approximately 100 g of balm:

  • Sweet almond oil: 40 g

  • Olive oil: 30 g

  • Shea butter: 15 g

  • Beeswax: 10 g

  • Glycerine: 5 g

  • Lavender essential oil: 5 drops

  • Sandalwood essential oil: 5 drops

Directions: Heat the wax, carrier oils and shea butter in a bain-marie. Mix the glycerine and essential oils in a container. When the wax has melted, remove from the heat immediately. Leave to cool for a while, stirring occasionally, then add the essential oil mixture and transfer to a jar. Leave to cool.

Directions for use: You can use this balm as a mask: generously coat your hands with it, put on cotton gloves and go to bed, leaving the balm to work.

Important information from Aroma-Zone: Beeswax acts as an emulsifier, making the emulsion "hold". However, for a much more stable emulsion that is easier to make, we recommend using an emulsifier. We also recommend that you add a preservative to preserve the emulsion.

Protective balm for fragile feet (H. Baron and T. Chagnoux)

BeautyBody care

For approximately 100 g of balm:

  • Shea butter: 50 g

  • Sweet almond oil: 30 g

  • Aloe vera gel: 15 g

  • Beeswax: 10 g

  • Glycerine: 5 g

  • Lemon essential oil: 10 drops

  • Mediterranean cypress essential oil: 10 drops

  • True lavender essential oil: 5 drops

  • Tea tree essential oil: 5 drops

Directions: Melt the shea butter and carrier oil in a bain-marie. Mix the aloe vera gel, glycerine and essential oils in a container. When the oils begin to cool, add the essential oil mixture and transfer to a jar. Leave to cool before use How to use: This balm is perfect as a thick layer to protect your feet during a run or hike, but it's also an excellent regular treatment that can be applied as a mask overnight by putting cotton socks on top. Sports people can also prep their feet by tanning them with fresh lemon juice Important notes from Aroma-Zone: beeswax acts as an emulsifier here, making the emulsion "hold". However, for a much more stable emulsion that is easier to make, we recommend using an emulsifier. In addition, we recommend that you add a preservative to preserve this blend.

Anti-wrinkle cream with royal jelly (S. Macheteau)

BeautyFacial skincare

  • 2 tablespoons Shea butter

  • 1 tablespoon Argan carrier oil

  • 1 tablespoon avocado carrier oil

  • 3 teaspoons Rose hydrosol

  • 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine

  • 1 teaspoon honey and royal jelly mixture (10% fresh royal jelly and 90% honey)

  • 10 drops Geranium EO

  • 6 drops grapefruit seed extract

  • 2 drops of natural vitamin E

How to use: Mix the carrier oils and butter until smooth. Gradually add the hydrosol while emulsifying. Add the vegetable glycerin, then the rest of the ingredients.

Delicate Day Cream (C. Clergeaud)

BeautyFacial skincare

  • Shea butter: 60 g

  • Rosehip oil: 100 ml

  • Argan oil: 1 tablespoon

  • Geranium essential oil: 10 drops

  • Carrot essential oil: 10 drops

Method: Melt the Shea butter with the oils in a bain-marie while stirring. Remove from the heat, add the essential oils and stir until cool. Pour into jars.

Night cream for all skin types (C. Clergeaud)

BeautyFacial skincare

  • Shea butter: 40 g

  • Jojoba oil: 60 g

  • Beeswax: 40 g

  • Cinnamon infusion: 80 g

  • Avocado oil: 1 tablespoon

  • Borage oil: 1 tablespoon

  • Orange juice: 1 tablespoon

  • Sandalwood essential oil: 5 drops

Directions: Melt the shea butter and wax in a bain-marie while stirring. Remove from the heat and add the oils, orange juice, infusion and essential oil, stirring until cool. Pour into jars.

Important notes (Aroma-Zone): it's not easy to make a stable emulsion (cream, lotion) using only a wax. Waxes have a low emulsifying power, so we advise you to add an emulsifier. In addition, we recommend adding a preservative to ensure that the product is preserved.

Exotic protective cream (C. Clergeaud)

BeautyBody care

  • Shea butter: 80 g

  • Sesame carrier oil: 20 g

  • Ylang-Ylang ssential oil: 4 drops

  • Calendula infusion: 1 tablespoon

Directions: Melt the shea butter with the oil in a bain-marie, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, add the essential oil and infusion and stir until cool. Pour into jars and leave to cool.

Ideal cream (C. Clergeaud)

BeautyFacial skincare

  • Shea butter: 50 g

  • Calophylla oil: 50 ml

  • Lemon ssential oil: 2 drops

  • Ylang ylang ssential oil: 2 drops

  • Geranium ssential oil: 2 drops

Procedure: Melt the shea butter gently over a bain-marie. Remove from the heat and stir in the oil and essential oils.

Liquorice cream for clear skin (S. Macheteau)

BeautyFacial skincare

For a 50 ml glass jar

  • Equipment: 1 saucepan; 1 mortar; 1 pestle; 1 mini whisk; 1 weighing scale.

  • Aloe vera macerated oil: 15 g

  • Organic Rosemary verbenone hydrosol: 5 g

  • Lanolin plant substitute: 2 g

  • Rice bran wax: 2 g

  • Shea butter: 1 g

  • Liquorice powder: 1 teaspoon

  • Propolis plant tincture: 5 drops

  • Natural vitamin E: 4 drops

Directions: Pour the Aloe vera macerated oil, rice bran wax and shea butter into the mortar. Heat the mixture in a saucepan over a bain-marie until the rice wax and shea butter have completely melted. Remove the pan from the heat and wait for the mixture to cool slightly. Add the rosemary hydrosol in small streams, drawing 8s with the pestle on the bottom of the mortar to set the emulsion. Add the liquorice powder, lanolin plant substitute, propolis plant tincture and vitamin E, continuing to make figure-of-eight movements with the pestle. Pour the mixture into the jar and store in a cool place.

Aroma-Zone important note: It is not easy to create a stable emulsion (cream, lotion) using only a wax. Waxes have a low emulsifying power, so we advise you to add an emulsifier. We also recommend adding a preservative to ensure that the preparation is preserved.

Hand cream (D. Maria)

BeautyBody care

Oily phase

  • Avocado oil: 10 g

  • Shea butter: 10 g

  • Beeswax: 4 g

  • Lanolin: 6 g

  • Aqueous phase

  • Lemon balm hydrosol: 24 g

  • Soap flakes: 2 g

Directions: Heat the oil and water phases separately in a double boiler at around 65°C, then add the water phase to the oil phase while hot, slowly and with vigorous stirring.

Important notes (Aroma-Zone): it is not easy to make a stable emulsion (cream, lotion) using only a wax. Waxes have a low emulsifying power, so we advise you to add an emulsifier. In addition, we recommend adding a preservative to ensure that the product is preserved.

Protective lip cream (C. Clergeaud)

BeautyLip care

  • Shea butter: 15 g

  • Sweet almond or jojoba carrier oil: 12 ml

  • Rose hydrosol: 5 to 10 ml

  • Lemon essential oil: 1 drop

Directions: Melt the shea butter with the oil in a bain-marie, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, add the hydrosol and essential oil and stir until cool. Pour into jars.

Important notes (Aroma-Zone): it's not easy to make a stable emulsion (cream, lotion) without an emulsifier. We recommend adding an emulsifier. We also recommend adding a preservative to keep your product for longer.

Revitalising cream with bamboo sap (S. Macheteau)

BeautyFacial skincare

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sesame oil (depending on desired consistency)

  • 1 level tablespoon Shea butter

  • 3 teaspoons Ancient Rose floral water

  • 1 teaspoon Bamboo sap powder

  • 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine

  • 9 drops Geranium essential oil (1% dilution)

  • 6 drops grapefruit seed extract

  • 2 drops of natural vitamin E essential oil

Method: Mix the butter and oil with a pestle until you obtain a smooth, creamy texture with no lumps. Gradually add the floral water while emulsifying. Stir in the glycerine to add shine and a velvety texture, followed by the bamboo sap. Finally, add the remaining ingredients and blend.

Important notes (Aroma-Zone): it's not easy to make a stable emulsion (cream, lotion) without an emulsifier. We recommend adding an emulsifier.

Tart and refreshing citrus creams (S. Macheteau)

BeautyFacial skincare

  • 2 tablespoons Shea butter

  • 2 tablespoons oil of your choice (e.g. Jojoba oil)

  • 1 tablespoon Orange Blossom hydrosol

  • 10 drops Mandarin essential oil

  • 2 drops Lemon essential oil

  • 1 teaspoon Acerola powder

  • 12 drops grapefruit seed extract

  • 5 drops of natural vitamin E

Directions: In a mortar, crush the butter and one tablespoon of carrier oil with a pestle until you obtain a thick, lump-free cream. Slowly and gradually add the hydrosol while emulsifying. While still stirring, gradually add the second tablespoon of carrier oil. Finally, while still stirring, add the remaining ingredients. Pour the mixture into the jar.

Important notes (Aroma-Zone): it's not easy to make a stable emulsion (cream, lotion) without an emulsifier. We recommend adding an emulsifier. Directions for use: Apply daily to the face to deeply moisturise and nourish.

Bibliography

1

Otuki MF, Vieira-Lima F, Malheiros A, Yunes RA, Calixto JB. Eur Topical antiinflammatory effects of the ether extract from Protium kleinii and alpha-amyrin pentacyclic triterpene. J Pharmacol, 2005, 507(1-3), 253-9.

2

Medeiros R, Otuki MF,Amyrin.docx Avellar MC, Calixto JB. Mechanisms underlying the inhibitory actions of the pentacyclic triterpene alpha-amyrin in the mouse skin inflammation induced by phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Eur J Pharmacol, 2007, 559(2-3), 227-35.

3

Maranz S, Wiesman Z. Influence of climate on the tocopherol content of shea butter. J Agric Food Chem, 2004, 52(10), 2934-7.

4

Monmarche P. and Sousselier L. New insights into the cosmetic benefits of shea butter. World Directory for the Cosmetics Industry (conference), April 2001

5

Supplier documentation

6

"Votre beauté au naturel" by Chantal Clergeaud

7

'Making Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions: 101 Natural Formulas to Revitalize & Nourish Your Skin' by Donna Maria

8

"Cosmétiques naturels" by Hélène Baron and Tiphaine Chagnoux

9

'90 recettes de beauté Organic à faire soi-même' by S. Macheteau and Vanina Guet

10

"Secret de beauté au naturel" by Amélie Brochier

11

"Skin care with essential oils" by Chantal Lacroix