Shea butter contains cinnamic acid, a substance that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Shea butter protects the skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains vitamins A and E, and has demonstrated both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Organic Refined Shea Butter combines the rich emollient properties of Shea Butter with the lighter colour and mild aroma achieved through refining. Produced from organically sourced Shea Butter, it is an excellent choice for formulations where certified organic ingredients are preferred without the characteristic aroma and colour of unrefined Shea Butter.
Its smooth, creamy consistency and ability to soften and condition the skin make it suitable for a wide range of skincare, lip care, haircare, and soap formulations.
The following are general guidelines. Actual usage rates may vary depending on your specific formula and desired consistency. We recommend preparing small test batches to evaluate the texture, stability, and performance of your finished product.
- Lotions & Creams: 2–10%
Adds richness and emolliency while helping soften and smooth the skin. Its mild aroma and light colour make it particularly suitable for facial moisturizers, body lotions, and creams formulated with organic ingredients. Higher concentrations produce richer, more substantial creams. - Body Butters: 10–30%
Provides a rich, creamy texture while helping soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. Blends well with liquid oils and other vegetable butters to create smooth, spreadable body butters. Particularly suitable for formulations where organic ingredient sourcing and a neutral aroma are desired. - Lip Balms & Lipsticks: 5–20%
Helps soften and condition the lips while contributing a creamy texture and comfortable glide. Its mild aroma makes it suitable for flavoured lip balms and lip products where the natural scent of unrefined Shea Butter may be undesirable. - Lotion Bars & Solid Balms: 10–30%
Adds emolliency and a smooth, buttery application to solid skincare products. Works well with beeswax, candelilla wax, and firmer vegetable butters to create lotion bars and balms with the desired structure and consistency. - Cold Process Soap: 5–15% of Total Oils
Contributes to a firm, long-lasting bar with a stable, creamy lather. Its stearic and oleic fatty acid content contributes to bar hardness and conditioning properties. The refined butter's lighter colour and mild aroma make it suitable for soap formulations where a more neutral starting ingredient is preferred. - Whipped Body Butters: 10–40%
Provides a rich, creamy base for whipped body butter formulations. Can be combined with lightweight liquid oils to create a softer, more spreadable consistency. Its neutral aroma makes it particularly suitable for fragranced whipped body butters made with organic ingredients. - Hair Conditioners & Masks: 2–10%
Helps soften and smooth the hair while improving manageability and reducing the appearance of frizz. Particularly suitable for rich conditioners, hair masks, and products designed for dry, coarse, or textured hair. Lower concentrations are recommended for fine hair or lightweight leave-in formulations.
Formulating Tips
Organic Refined Shea Butter can be gently melted and incorporated into the oil phase of emulsified products or combined with other oils, waxes, and butters for anhydrous formulations.
The refining process reduces much of Shea Butter's characteristic natural aroma and colour, making this variety particularly suitable for formulations where a neutral base is preferred. Its organic sourcing also makes it a useful ingredient for products developed with organic certification requirements in mind, subject to the applicable certification standards.
Like other natural vegetable butters, Shea Butter may develop a grainy or uneven texture if it melts and cools slowly. To help maintain a smooth consistency, gently melt the butter completely, mix thoroughly, and cool the finished formulation promptly and evenly. Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat.
Organic Refined Shea Butter may be used at concentrations outside the suggested ranges depending on the application, including up to 100% in suitable anhydrous products.
