A Comprehensive Guide in the Use of Raw Shea Butter for Skin

Raw shea butter is a coveted natural ingredient in skincare—and for good reason. This luxurious plant-based butter delivers deep, lasting hydration for all skin types.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about African shea butter.

We’ll also address common questions – does shea butter clog pores? Can it help with stretch marks? Does shea butter expire or go bad? – and compare shea with other natural butters like cocoa and mango.

By the end of this guide, you’ll understand why shea butter for skin is so beloved. When you’re ready to experience the benefits, Explore Our Collection of organic, unrefined shea butter products and face balms!

Where Does Shea Butter Come From?

Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). These trees grow wild across the region known as the Shea Belt, which stretches through 21 African countries.

Shea Butter Extraction

The process begins with harvesting the fruit, followed by removing the outer pulp to access the inner nut. These nuts are then boiled or steamed and laid out to sun-dry for several days. Once dry, the shells are cracked open to retrieve the kernels inside, which are then roasted to release their natural oils. This roasting gives the butter its characteristic aroma.

The roasted kernels are ground into a paste, mixed with water, and kneaded by hand. This agitation causes the fat to separate. The mixture is then gently heated, allowing the oil to rise to the surface. Once skimmed, filtered, and cooled, it solidifies into raw shea butter.

Refined or Raw Shea Butter: What’s the Difference?

• Raw shea butter: unprocessed (in natural state), nutrient-rich, with its natural scent and color.
• Unrefined shea butter: lightly filtered (through cheesecloth) for debris but not chemically altered or bleached. It may be organic, or it may not—this depends entirely on the farming practices used.
• Refined shea butter: white, odorless, stripped of natural benefits.
• Organic shea butter: certified and free of synthetic chemicals.

Note: Organic status refers to farming practices. Refined vs. unrefined shea butter refers to processing methods.

For the best skincare experience, always choose unrefined, organic shea butter.

Shea Butter for Skin: Benefits and Uses 

Shea butter offers deep hydration, softens rough patches, calms inflammation, boosts elasticity, and shields skin from environmental damage.

The moisturizing properties come from its fatty acid variation. Stearic acid gives the butter stability while oleic acid influences how hard or soft the butter is. The proportion of these two acids provide shea butter with its overall consistency.   

Shea Butter Skin Benefits:

1. Vitamin A (Retinoid Precursor)

• supports skin cell turnover and regeneration. 
• Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and scars
• Beneficial for improving tone, texture, and elasticity

2. Vitamin E (Tocopherol) 

• A powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage
• Helps soothe inflammation and promotes healing
• Aids in moisture retention and barrier repair

3. Vitamin F (Essential Fatty Acids: Linoleic and Linolenic acids)

• Though not a “vitamin” in the traditional sense, “Vitamin F” refers to a group of omega-6 fatty acids
• Helps reinforce the skin barrier and retain moisture
• Supports smoother, softer skin and is especially helpful for dry or sensitive skin

Shea butter also contains compounds (cinnamic acid derivatives and triterpenes) that have anti-inflammatory effects​. This is good for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation as it can reduce swelling, soothe discomfort, and speed up recovery.

Is Shea Butter Good for Your Face?

The answer can depend on your skin type. Shea butter for your face can be wonderfully nourishing, especially for dry or normal skin types. Those with oily or acne-prone skin may be somewhat adverse given the heavier consistency of shea butter. 

That’s where our luxurious face balms come in.

We craft our face balms using East African Nilotica shea butter. This variety of shea is naturally higher in oleic acid and exceptionally gentle on delicate facial skin. This makes it great for daily face care, even for those with sensitive or combination skin.

Does Shea Butter Clog Pores or Cause Acne?

The comedogenic rating of West African shea butter has a rating of 0-2. This means that it’s unlikely to clog pores for most people.  

East African shea butter also has a rating of 0-2. However, it has a higher oleic acid content, making it softer, more absorbent, and lighter in texture. This makes it less likely to clog pores. Better for facial skincare and for sensitive or combination skin types.

See: Does Shea Butter Clog Pores and get the best recommendations for shea butter face balms and body butters.

Shea Butter for Stretch Marks?

While shea butter can improve the appearance of stretch marks and scars, it won’t erase them entirely. It works best as a supportive, long-term skincare ingredient.

See: Is Shea Butter A Stretch Mark Cream Alternative

Is Shea Butter Good for Eczema or Irritated Skin?

Shea butter for eczema? The National Eczema Association doesn’t specifically highlight shea butter as a standalone treatment. However, it’s a core ingredient in many of the products they recommend for eczema-prone skin.

What Is Whipped Shea Butter?

Whipped shea butter is shea butter that’s been whipped with air to create a lighter, fluffier texture. 

The challenge with natural whipped shea butter lies in its stability. As the air pockets gradually dissipate, the product begins to settle unevenly, resulting in a visual appearance that differs from its freshly whipped form. To maintain stability, many additives are introduced to preserve the product. 

Does Shea Butter Expire?

When stored properly—sealed in a cool, dry environment—raw shea butter can remain fresh for up to two years. Changes in scent or texture are clear signs that it may be time to replace it.

Shea Butter vs. Cocoa Butter 

Shea Butter vs. Cocoa Butter is quite simple. Shea butter is much softer and more versatile, cocoa is significantly firmer. It’s one of the hardest butters and has an unmistakable chocolate-scent in its raw form.

We use shea butter as a primary ingredient in all our body butters. To enhance texture and skin benefits, we also use cocoa butter, mango butter, kpangnan butter, and kokum butter.

One of our favorite products combines the velvety richness of cocoa butter with soft notes of warm Madagascar vanilla. The subtle smokiness from kpangnan butter adds depth, creating a sensorial experience that smells as comforting as it feels.

If you love rich textures and the cozy scent of earthy, chocolatey warmth, this sensory favorite is well worth exploring.

Shea Butter Products: Oils, Lotions, Balms & Body Butters

• Shea body butter – Traditional body butters are waterless. Rich and restorative, perfect for nighttime. Most commercially sold body butters are water based products and often consist of 50-75% water.
• Shea butter lotion – Water based product. Lightweight, fast-absorbing hydration for daytime. Typically, shea butter consists of less than 10% of the overall product. 
• Shea butter oil (Shea nut oil, or shea oil) – Waterless byproduct of the shea butter extraction process.

Is Shea Butter Edible?

Only in food-grade form. Cosmetic shea butter is not intended for ingestion.

Experience Shea Body Butter and Face Balms

Our Collection & Exhibits of unrefined, organic shea butter products are thoughtfully crafted using the finest ingredients we can source.

Each product blends rich plant butters, soothing botanical oils, and timeless simplicity. Whether you’re seeking natural skincare or a moment of sensorial indulgence, Aminata Haadi invites you to care for your skin with intention.

Explore our Collection and discover what it means to feel truly grounded in your skincare.