In this Unrefined Shea Butter FAQ, we address questions including its benefits, uses, storage, graininess, soap making, sourcing from women in Ghana and wholesale options.
Unrefined Shea Butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree (*Vitellaria paradoxa*). Unlike refined shea butter, it is not chemically processed or deodorised, helping it retain its natural colour, aroma and many of its beneficial fatty acids and vitamins.
Our Unrefined Shea Butter is sourced directly from a women’s co-operative in northern Ghana. Since 2017, we’ve worked directly with our partners to supply quality shea butter to handmade soap makers, skincare brands and DIY makers across South Africa.
Unrefined shea butter retains its natural colour, scent and many of its naturally occurring nutrients. Refined shea butter has been processed to remove its colour and aroma, resulting in a more neutral product often used in commercial formulations.
Because our shea butter is raw and unrefined, natural colour variations are normal. Depending on the harvest, it may range from ivory to pale yellow. This does not affect its quality or performance.
Ivory shea butter is the natural colour of most unrefined shea butter.
Traditional unrefined yellow shea butter is made in some parts of West Africa by adding natural ingredients during production, most commonly Borututu root.
Both ivory and yellow shea butter unrefined. Learn more in our Yellow Shea Butter vs Ivory Shea Butter guide.
Unrefined shea butter naturally has a characteristic smoky, nutty aroma due to the traditional roasting process used during production in Ghana. The scent may vary slightly from batch to batch, but it should never smell sour or rancid. A sour or unpleasant odour may indicate that the shea butter has deteriorated or has not been stored correctly.
Unrefined Shea butter can naturally develop a grainy texture if it melts and cools slowly. This happens because different fatty acids solidify at different temperatures. It is a normal characteristic of natural shea butter and does not affect its quality or performance.
Graininess can usually be removed by gently melting the shea butter until it is completely liquid, then cooling it quickly. It is advisable to place the melted unrefined shea butter in the refrigerator or an ice bath until it starts to firm up before whipping or storing it. Rapid cooling helps the fatty acids solidify more evenly, producing a smoother texture.
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 other areas needing extra nourishment.
Many people use unrefined shea butter as part of their facial skincare routine, particularly for dry or mature skin. If you have very oily or acne-prone skin, we recommend patch testing first to see how your skin responds.
Unrefined Shea butter is commonly used during pregnancy to help keep stretching skin moisturised and comfortable. If you have any concerns or underlying medical conditions, it is always best to consult your healthcare provider.
Yes. Shea butter can be used to help moisturise dry hair, reduce frizz and seal in moisture. It is commonly used in hair butters, conditioners and scalp treatments.
Absolutely. Our Unrefined Shea Butter is widely used in cold process soap, hot process soap and melt-and-pour formulations. It contributes to a creamy, conditioning bar and is one of the most popular butters used by soap makers.
This depends on your recipe and the qualities you are looking for. Many cold process soap recipes include between 5% and 35% shea butter, although some formulations use higher percentages.
Yes. Unrefined Shea Butter can be whipped to create a light, fluffy body butter. It is often combined with carrier oils such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil or grapeseed oil for a softer texture.
Shea butter blends well with many cosmetic ingredients, including carrier oils, beeswax, cocoa butter, mango butter, vitamin E oil and essential oils.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keeping the lid tightly closed will help maintain its quality.
When stored correctly, Unrefined Shea Butter typically has a shelf life of up to 24 months.
Our Unrefined Shea Butter is supplied for cosmetic use, including skincare, haircare and soap making.
In Ghana and other parts of West Africa, shea butter has traditionally been used as a cooking fat and is also used by the food industry, including as a cocoa butter substitute in some chocolate products. However, the shea butter we supply is intended for cosmetic applications rather than food use.
We supply Unrefined Shea Butter in sizes from 250g to 100kg, making it suitable for hobbyists, growing businesses and established manufacturers.
Yes. We supply bulk quantities to soap makers, skincare brands, manufacturers and retailers across South Africa.
Yes. We offer ready-to-label private label shea butter in 100ml and 250ml jars, making it easy for businesses to launch their own shea butter range without manufacturing from scratch.
Since 2017, Isivuno Naturals has supplied quality cosmetic ingredients to thousands of makers and businesses across South Africa. Our Unrefined Shea Butter is sourced directly from a women’s co-operative in Ghana, giving us greater control over quality, consistency and supply while supporting traditional shea butter production.
Visit our shea butter learning resources for recipes, formulation tips, soap making guides and the story of how we grew from importing our first 50kg to supplying more than 12 tons of shea butter each year.
