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.