Shea Butter

Products

Shea butter is available as a pure substance in pharmacies and drugstores.

Structure and properties

Shea butter is a fat extracted from the seeds of the shea nut tree, a member of the sapote family native to Africa. The trees grow in a belt south of the Sahara that stretches over 5000 km. Shea butter exists as a fat with a melting point of between 32 to 42°C. It consists of triglycerides (mainly with stearic acid, oleic acid) with a high content of unsaponifiable components, which include triterpenes and vitamins.

Effects

Shea butter has skin conditioning, smoothing, protective, nourishing and moisturizing properties and absorbs UV radiation.

Fields of application

  • For the manufacture of personal care products and cosmetics.
  • As a fat for food, as a frying fat, especially in Africa.