OUR CATALOGUE

Shea 🌿

Butyrospermum parkii (syn vitellaria paradoxa)

🌿 conventional or certified organic available

Shea oil is a pure lightweight oil extracted from the nut of the shea tree (Karite tree) It is naturally high in fatty acids making it an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening dry hair and as an all-over moisturiser for the skin. Shea oil is a lighter alternative to Shea butter.

The process of making Shea Nut Oil is similar to the production process of other fractionated carrier oils. The raw Shea Butter pressed from the Shea nut undergoes a process known as fractionation, which allows its liquid oil (olein) to separate from the heavier components (stearin). The resulting Shea fraction contains higher proportions of the liquid Oleic Acid and lower proportions of solid Stearic Acid, may be liquid or semi-liquid at room temperature, and is considerably less waxy in its consistency. The product may undergo refining, deodorization, and filtering to further improve its sensory profile.

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  • Studied Properties
  • Common Uses

Studied Properties

SPECIFICATIONS
APPEARANCE         Pale yellow to golden colored liquid
ODOUR                 Characteristic mild odour
SPECIFIC GRAVITY @20°C     0.920 to 0.930
REFRACTIVE INDEX @20°C   1.465 to 1.475
FLASHPOINT         250°C

GENERAL CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The main chemical constituents of Shea Oil are:

Palmitic Acid
Palmitoleic Acid
Stearic Acid
Oleic Acid
Linoleic Acid
Alpha-Linolenic Acid

ALLERGENS: No known allergens.

Common Uses

Shea Oil is a wonderful natural emollient, with virtually endless applications in skincare and personal care. It is commonly used in formulations for dry skin and hair, and is featured heavily in natural products as well. Some of its many forms include oils (serums, cleansing oils, hair oils, and body oils), creams and lotions, lip balms, body butters, soaps, bath bombs, conditioners, and shampoos.

Just a few of the many benefits:
Shea Oil is characterized by relatively higher proportions of unsaturated fatty acids, resulting in its smooth liquid state at room temperature. In addition, most of the beneficial constituents of Shea Butter is retained in the nut oil fraction, including Triterpenes and Tocopherol/Vitamin E. This makes it a highly nourishing carrier oil for aromatherapy as well as cosmetic and skincare purposes, imbuing products and formulations with natural Shea-derived benefits.

Skincare:
As Shea Oil easily penetrates and is absorbed into the skin, it can be a great alternative to Shea Butter for those looking to reduce the appearance of bodily scars and uneven textures such as cellulite. Its high natural content of Triterpenes and Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is believed to enhance skin elasticity and laxity, leading to tighter and more defined skin. Potential applications for the oil include products such as stretch mark removal, scar removal, and firming creams.

Haircare:
Shea Nut Oil is an effective hair care ingredient for practically all hair types, and its deep conditioning effects are especially beneficial for those with curly or coarse hair textures. It softens brittle strands, adds a silky shine to dull or damaged hair, aids detangling, and can be soothing for those with dandruff or an itchy scalp

Massage:
Thanks to its liquid state at room temperature, Shea Nut Oil can be used as a convenient yet high-quality massage oil. Its anti-inflammatory qualities offer an excellent remedy for sore or fatigued muscles. For a massage blend that helps with muscle relaxation, pour in 30 mL / 1 fl. oz. of Shea Nut Oil into a container and add in 5 drops of Chamomile Roman Essential Oil and 3 drops of Ginger Root Essential Oil. Mix the contents together before warming a portion in between your palms and massaging it onto desired areas. This is a great natural massage remedy for mild muscle sprains, aches, and pains.

Certified + Traceable Ingredients


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