Unrefined Shea Butter

Our Unrefined Shea Butter has been one of Isivuno Naturals' flagship ingredients since 2017.  Sourced directly from a women's co-operative in northern Ghana, it has become a favourite among soap makers, skincare brands, formulators and DIY makers across South Africa.

Naturally rich in fatty acids and vitamins, our Grade A shea butter is known for its creamy texture, natural nutty aroma and exceptional versatility.  Whether you're making body butters, balms, lotions, soaps, haircare products or other natural formulations, our unrefined shea butter is available in sizes from 250g through to bulk quantities for growing businesses and manufacturers.

Looking to sell shea butter under your own brand? We also offer ready-to-label 100ml and 250ml shea butter jars for businesses wanting to launch quickly without manufacturing their own products.

Unrefined Shea Butter, also known as Raw Shea Butter,  is a natural plant butter extracted from the kernels (nuts) of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It is traditionally produced without chemical refining, bleaching or deodorising, allowing it to retain its natural vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants, colour and characteristic earthy, nutty scent.

Naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F, Unrefined Shea Butter is widely used in skincare, haircare, soap making and cosmetic formulations because of its excellent moisturising and skin-conditioning properties.

You may also see it referred to as Natural Shea Butter, Virgin Shea Butter or Pure Shea Butter, although these terms are often used interchangeably and do not always have a formal industry definition.

• Deeply moisturises and helps soften dry skin.
• Popular for improving the appearance of dry, rough and mature skin.
• Commonly used on stretch marks, scars and uneven-looking skin as part of a regular skincare routine.
• Helps soothe dry, itchy skin, including skin that feels tight during pregnancy.
• Naturally rich in fatty acids and vitamins that help nourish and condition the skin.
• Can be used from head to toe as a natural moisturiser for skin, lips and hair.
• Ideal for body butters, balms, soaps, creams, lotions and other natural skincare formulations.
• Also popular as a scalp treatment, hair butter, beard balm, lip balm and all-purpose skin salve.
• Available in sizes from 250g to 100kg for home makers, growing brands and manufacturers.

Since 2017, we've worked directly with a women's co-operative in northern Ghana, where traditional methods of producing unrefined shea butter have been passed down through generations.

What started as our very first 50kg order has grown into more than 12 tons of shea butter imported each year, helping supply thousands of makers, formulators and skincare businesses across South Africa.

By working directly with our partners, we're able to maintain consistent quality while supporting the communities behind one of Africa's most treasured natural ingredients.

One of the things that makes Unrefined Shea Butter so unique is that it doesn't have to be formulated before use.

While it's a favourite ingredient for soap makers and skincare brands, it can also be used on its own as a rich, natural moisturiser.

Apply it directly to dry skin, rough elbows, heels, hands and cuticles, or use it to nourish dry hair and help seal in moisture. From head to toe, Unrefined Shea Butter has been used for generations as a simple, versatile skincare staple.

• Botanical Name: Vitellaria paradoxa
• INCI Name: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
• Country of Origin: Ghana
• Extraction: Traditionally produced without chemical refining or deodorising
• Colour: Natural ivory to pale yellow
• Scent: Naturally earthy, nutty and sometimes lightly smoky
• Texture: Firm at cooler temperatures, melts readily on contact with skin
• Shelf Life: Up to 24 months when stored correctly

Unrefined Shea Butter is one of the most versatile natural cosmetic ingredients available and can be used in a wide range of skincare, haircare and soap-making applications.

Suitable for:

• Body butters
• Whipped body butters
• Hair butters
• Hair masks
• Leave-in hair products
• Beard balms
• Lip balms
• Body balms
• Hand creams
• Face creams
• Body lotions
• Cold process soap
• Hot process soap
• Melt & Pour soap additive
• Massage butters
• Belly balms
• Cuticle balms
• Foot balms
• Baby balms
• Cleansing balms
• DIY skincare formulations
• Why Choose Isivuno Naturals?

For nearly a decade, we've helped thousands of South African makers and businesses create products using quality raw ingredients.

Whether you're making your very first batch of body butter or manufacturing products for your own skincare brand, we're here to support your journey with quality ingredients, practical advice and reliable supply.

Simple hair butter recipe:

70% unrefined Shea Butter - to seal in moisture

13% Coconut oil - penetrates hair strands

15% Jamaican Black Castor oil - helps restore damaged hair

2% Essential Oil blend (Rosemary Essential Oil and Sweet Orange Essential Oil)

Melt Shea Butter in a double boiler, and once melted mix in the rest of the ingredients.  Only add the essential oil once the mixture has cooled.  Pour into jars and refrigerate. Use on hair and skin.

Our Unrefined Shea Butter is sourced directly from Ghana and supplied in its natural state, without chemical refining or deodorising.

What is unrefined shea butter?

Unrefined shea butter is made from the nuts of the shea tree without the use of chemical refining or deodorising processes. This helps preserve its natural colour, aroma and many of the beneficial fatty acids and vitamins that make it such a popular ingredient in skincare and soap making.

Can I apply unrefined shea butter directly to my skin?

Yes. Unrefined shea butter can be used on its own as a rich natural moisturiser. It is commonly applied to dry skin, hands, feet, elbows, knees, lips and dry hair.

Can I use this shea butter for soap making?

Absolutely. Our Unrefined Shea Butter is widely used in cold process soap, hot process soap and other handmade skincare formulations. It helps create a creamy, conditioning bar and is a favourite among soap makers.

Why does the colour of shea butter vary?

Because our shea butter is raw and unrefined, natural colour variations can occur from batch to batch. It may range from ivory to pale yellow depending on the season and harvest. This is completely normal and does not affect its quality.

Why has my shea butter become grainy?

Shea butter can naturally develop a grainy texture if it melts and cools slowly. This is caused by the different fatty acids solidifying at different temperatures and is a normal characteristic of natural shea butter. It does not affect the quality or performance of the product.

How should I store unrefined shea butter?

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. When stored correctly, unrefined shea butter has a shelf life of approximately 24 months.

Is this food grade?

No. Although unrefined shea butter is edible in some parts of the world, our shea butter is supplied for cosmetic use, including soap making, skincare and haircare formulations.

Do you supply shea butter in bulk?

Yes. We supply Unrefined Shea Butter in sizes ranging from 250g to 100kg, making it suitable for hobbyists, growing businesses and established manufacturers. We also offer ready-to-label private label shea butter jars for businesses looking to launch their own brand.

Visit our Complete Shea Butter FAQ for answers to the most common questions about storage, scent, graininess, uses, shelf life and more.

Continue learning about shea butter: 

Getting Started

• What is Shea Butter
• How Raw Unrefined Shea Butter Is Made
• Buying Shea Butter in South Africa

Benefits & Uses

• Benefits of  Unrefined Shea Butter
• Shea Butter Uses
• How To Make Whipped Shea Butter

Using Unrefined Shea Butter

• How to Formulate With Shea Butter
• How to Melt Shea Butter 
• Why Unrefined Shea Butter Becomes Grainy

Soap Making

• How to Make Shea Butter Soap - using our Luxury Soap Mix

Comparisons

• Ivory Shea Butter vs Yellow Shea Butter
• Refined vs Unrefined Shea Butter

Our Story

• From 50kg to 12 Tons – Our Shea Butter Story
• Let's Start - At the Beginning
  - a journey into sourcing the best unrefined shea butter
• In Search of The Best Unrefined Shea Butter - How it all started
• In Search of The Best Unrefined Shea Butter Part 2 - What we learned

Start Your Own Brand

• Private Label Unrefined Shea Butter - for your own brand
  

When will it leave? Orders paid before 11:00 on a weekday are sent the same day. Orders paid after 11:00 are sent the next afternoon.

• Door-to-door courier across South Africa. Delivery takes 1 – 5 working days after dispatch, or up to 7 working days for outlying areas.
• Outlying areas can have a surcharge of up to R250. Some high-risk areas are delivered to the local police station.
• You get a tracking number as soon as your order is sent.
• Insurance is not included. Ask us for a quote on high-value orders.
• EFT orders are sent once the payment shows in our account.

Rather collect? Collect from Unit A7, Spearhead Business Park, Montague Drive, Montague Gardens, Cape Town. Please wait for your "ready to collect" email first.

Full shipping policy

Buying for your brand or a production run? Most of our ingredients come in small packs and in bulk sizes. Tell us what you need and how often, and we will send you a quote.

Starting your own range? Our ready-to-label products help you launch without manufacturing your own.

Request a bulk quote · Ready-to-label products