Shea Butter is on off-white or ivory colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. Records of its use go all the way back to ancient Egypt during Cleopatra’s reign to protect skin and hair from the harsh dessert sun and wind. Shea butter is solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 82 – 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus it melt upon contact with the skin, making it perfect for use in lotion bars and lip balms.
The industry surrounding shea butter forms the backbone of many African communities. Our shea butter is imported from Africa and naturally refined (meaning without the use of chemicals). Unrefined shea butter has a thick nutty aroma, but this is removed during the refining process.
Shea butter is one of my personal favorite materials to work with. Its feel on skin is truly remarkable. I know our lip balm certainly would not be the same without it. We also use shea butter in our hand cream as it provides some wonderful benefits for skin.
So what are these benefits? I’m glad you asked. Shea butter is well known for its luxurious feel and remarkable ability to absorb rapidly into skin. It is rich in vitamins A and E and even provides a bit of natural UV protection. Shea butter also delivers essential fatty acids & nutrients necessary for the production of collagen, improving skin elasticity. And being an emollient, it acts as an intense moisturizer and humectant (helps skin retain moisture). Oh, and did I mention it has anti-inflammatory properties as well? This amazing substance is an all star in the JENCO playbook of awesome ingredients.
Products that use Shea Butter: