The Shea-Karite tree is a tree native to the eastern and western central regions and countries of Africa. They can take between 30-50 years to mature. The trees produce a fruit (also called a nut) that contains a seed that undergoes an extensive process to turn it into the creamy silky substance known as shea butter.

There are different types of products that contain shea butter. There are also two major different classes to consider. Unrefined, sometimes also called raw, is in its completely natural state and holds the most beneficial qualities in it that gives the cream so many of its healing properties. This type is thicker in consistency and typically is of a yellow shade. Refined types, also called pure, due to it being purified, undergo a process which pulls out any impurities. Unfortunately, many manufactuerers also add chemicals to the refined types, which can cause it lose many of the vitamins and essential nutrients that makes it also lose its natural appeal.

When considering products made of shea butter, it is best to look for those which use it in its natural state. You will also want to take special care to ensure it has a high concentration. This is particularly true for lotions and soaps, as they may claim to have it in it, but have such small concentrations that it would be of no actual benefit to your skin or your health.

Here are some of the common health benefits of shea butter:

Vitamins A and E: Vitamins A and E are very beneficial for moisturizing the skin as well as helping to restore its elasticity. This causes it to be an excellent thing to use for those with dry skin who can benefit from these moisturizing properties. It has also been used by some as an anti wrinkle agent as well as used for helping reduce and eliminate stretch marks associated with pregnancy and weight loss and weight gain.

Healing Properties: Unrefined class A shea butter has many healing properties that can help with things such as frostbite, burns, insect bites, eczema, psoriasis, scars, and more.

Other BenefitsWhile it is widely researched to be used as a cosmetic, there are many other possible uses. It is believed by some to help with muscle tension and pain, as well as with sinus pressure and allergies. It is also used as a cooking oil, much like olive oil is used.

With so many amazing health benefits of shea butter, there is no question as to why its popularity has grown from its roots in Africa to being used all over the world!

Shea butter is made by extracting it from the pits of the fruit of the shea karite tree. This tree is native to Africa and grows in the countries of Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Togo, Senegal, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Uganda. It is relatively rare to see it grown anywhere else unless in a controlled environment (such as commercial greenhouses). This is why almost 98% of the shea butter you see and use is a type of African shea butter.

The next question of course we often get is whether East vs. West makes a difference.

The terms regarding eastern and western are derived from the geological location of where the tree was grown the fruit harvested. If you look at a map, you can see that the countries Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Togo are in the Western part of Africa. Shea butter extracted from these trees is commonly considered to be West African Shea Butter. The countries on the Eastern side of the hemisphere include Sudan, Cameroon, Congo, Uganda and others.

There seems to be relatively little difference between East vs West African shea butter, though some have noted some differences in either texture or in the way they help with certain ailments. Since the trees are the same, the only reason for the slight differences could be attributed to the effects of climate – for example one tree may get more sun or more water – others may have a different balanced soil or get more nutrients from the ground that can effect the quality of the butter.

Below are some characteristics to help you decide which are best for you:

Western Characteristics: Believed to be more beneficial for healing, somewhat thicker consistency, stronger unrefined shea butter scent, believed to be the most beneficial for relieving irritation due to psoriasis and eczema.

Eastern Characteristics: The main notable Eastern Characteristics are that it is easier to spread, as it tends to seem more oily that its Western cousin and unrefined or raw shea butter does not have as strong as an odor as the unrefined varieties from the West. It is believed to be helpful as a diaper rash cream. Because of its higher oil density, it is believed to also be a better moisturizer.

When it comes to deciding which African shea butter is best for you, it’s all a matter of personal preference. Both are excellent for working as a moisturizer and helping aid with skin conditions. If you simply can’t decide, we recommend trying them both initially and then determining which one you like the best.

The Short Answer is that types carrying these designations are believed to be the most natural form available derived from the nuts of the Shea-Karite tree leaving most of its properties intact. Raw unrefined shea butter is believed to retain the most nutrients and benefits found in it, whereas when it is processed or refined some of these properties may be altered or stripped from it during the purification process.

Consumer Watch: Be Wary of the Word Pure

When looking for various products to try and use, such as soaps or lotions, it can be quite confusing as to what exactly you are getting if you have never purchased it before and if there is not a lot of information about the actual product you are interested in. It is especially confusing because many producers and manufacturers will use the word pure to describe their product, which could sometimes mislead people into believing that their product is all natural and not processed. However, pure and unrefined are not always the same thing, since many define “pure” to mean to strip away any impurities that are naturally found in it. While there are still some benefits in types that have been proccessed, you are not as likely to have the same results, since refining it to remove certain elements can also pose the risk of it losing the different properties during the purification process.

The Biggest Difference is in How It Is Made

To help clarify the differences of the types you are considering, it helps to understand the process in which the butter is extracted. The original and manual method involves picking the fruits from the tree and then by hand removing the pits. Once the pits are removed, they then undergo a process that may include boiling, sun drying, and roasting the nuts. At this point they are then crushed by hand.

Commercial producers now do most of this process by machine to help expedite and speed up the process, since the manual method can take almost a full day to simply produce a single pound of the extract. Using high temperature ovens and machinery makes sense when producing large quantities, but doing so can also result in differences in the item that is produced. Often times when making shea butter extract on a commercial basis manufacturers will then add other chemicals or ingredients into the batch. This is believed by many to diminish the level of benefits one would receive from using the product. However, it is also the most cost effective solution, since it could be quite expensive to do everything by hand or not add ingredients that can lengthen the shelf life of the smooth creamy substance.

How Do I Make Sure the Product I Order is High Quality?

When doing your research, it is helpful to understand basic consumer ingredient labels to ensure that you are getting a genuine product. Many companies will claim that their product has shea butter in it, and even emphasize this – however when inspecting the label in greater detail you may notice that on the list of ingredients it is one of the last items listed. High concentrations will have the ingredient listed first – not last.

The best way to tell if the product you are interested in is unrefined is to assess its color and smell. Natural manual extractions of the nut will have a thick somewhat yellow-ish tint to it and smell “nutty”. When it has been extracted mechanically or had chemicals added to it, it may be solid white in appearance and have little to no smell whatsoever.

Another way which will help you ensure a quality product is to buy only from reliable sources and companies. Be wary of vendors who claim ridiculous benefits or seem pushy about selling it. You may also want to consider how much the price is – very low priced items may signify that it has been diluted.

Naturally occurring vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin F. Vitamin A and Vitamin E have long been associated with having beneficial properties for healing skin ailments as well as helping promote moisture retention and protect it from the elements. Another property found naturally in unrefined whipped shea butter is cinnamic acid, which can be used as a natural sunscreen. Another component of raw shea butter is the fat composition in it. These are “good fats” and are also attributed to better health and skin and hair care.

Now that you know the difference between pure, raw, and unrefined shea butter, hopefully you are equipped with the information you need to make sure that you choose a product that meets your needs exactly.

Have any questions or comments about raw shea butter? Feel free to leave them in the comments below and we will do our best to answer them for you.