Shea Butter I DIY Skincare & Haircare Ingredient

Rich nourishment for skin, hair & DIY formulations

Shea Butter is a rich, creamy cosmetic butter valued for its moisturising, conditioning and skin-softening properties. Its naturally emollient texture helps reduce moisture loss while adding richness and a smooth, luxurious feel to cosmetic formulations.

Highly versatile and easy to incorporate into oil-based formulations, Shea Butter is suitable for creams, lotions, body butters, lip balms, soaps, hair masks and other skincare and haircare products.

Why Use Shea Butter?

It helps provide deep moisturisation, supports a softer and smoother skin feel, and improves the richness and texture of formulations. In haircare products, it can provide conditioning and help improve manageability, particularly in products intended for dry hair.

Use it on its own where appropriate or combine it with carrier oils, cosmetic butters, waxes, emulsifiers and other DIY ingredients to create customised personal-care formulations.

Product Specifications

Appearance:
Soft to semi-solid butter; creamy to pale ivory/yellow in colour. Consistency may vary naturally with temperature.

Odour:
Mild, characteristic natural odour.

Solubility:
Insoluble in water. Soluble/dispersible in oils and oil-based formulations when melted.

Shelf Life:
24 months from the date of manufacture when stored properly in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container.

Natural variations in colour, texture and aroma may occur between batches and do not affect product performance.

Safety Information

For cosmetic and DIY formulation use only. For external use only. Avoid direct contact with eyes. A patch test is recommended before using the finished formulation, particularly for sensitive skin.

Do not introduce water or wet utensils directly into the container. Keep the container tightly closed after use and store away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Shea Butter may naturally become softer, harder or partially melt depending on ambient temperature. This does not necessarily indicate deterioration; allow it to return gradually to room temperature before use.

FAQs

1. Is this Shea Butter ready to use?
Yes. It can be applied directly in suitable cosmetic applications or incorporated into DIY formulations.

2. Is Shea Butter water soluble?
No. Shea Butter is oil soluble and should normally be incorporated into the oil phase of a formulation.

3. How do I add Shea Butter to creams and lotions?
Gently melt it with the oil phase before emulsification. Avoid unnecessary prolonged or excessive heating.

4. Can I use it for soap making?
Yes. Shea Butter can be used in melt-and-pour and cold-process soap formulations. The appropriate percentage depends on the formulation.

5. Can Shea Butter be used in shampoo?
Yes, but usually at relatively low levels and in a properly formulated/emulsified product. Simply mixing Shea Butter into a water-based shampoo may cause separation.