Glossary
A rich, creamy fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It is one of the most effective natural moisturizers, packed with vitamins A, E, and F. Used in lotion bars, body butters, and lip balms.
Shea butter comes from the nuts of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), which grows wild across the savanna belt of West and Central Africa. The trees take 15 to 20 years to begin producing fruit and can live for up to 200 years. The nuts are harvested, dried, cracked, roasted, and ground into a paste from which the butter is extracted. This labor-intensive process is traditionally done by women's cooperatives across countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria.
Shea butter is rich in fatty acids, particularly oleic acid (40-60%), stearic acid (20-50%), and linoleic acid (3-11%). These fatty acids closely mirror the lipids found naturally in human skin, which is why shea butter absorbs so readily without feeling heavy or greasy.
It also contains a significant amount of unsaponifiable matter (5-17%), which includes triterpenes, tocopherols (vitamin E), phenols, and sterols. This unsaponifiable fraction is what gives shea butter its anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties. Clinical studies have demonstrated that shea butter can improve skin elasticity, reduce inflammation, and support wound healing.
Refined shea butter has been processed with chemicals or heat to remove its natural color, scent, and some of its bioactive compounds. It produces a uniform, white, odorless product preferred by large cosmetic manufacturers. Unrefined shea butter retains its natural ivory to yellow color, nutty aroma, and the full spectrum of beneficial vitamins and fatty acids.
At Goodfriend Honey Co., we use unrefined shea butter in our formulations. The difference is tangible: our lotion bars and body butters deliver the complete therapeutic profile of the shea nut, not a stripped-down version of it.
Yes. Shea butter is one of the most effective natural moisturizers available. Its fatty acid profile closely matches human skin lipids, allowing it to absorb deeply and provide long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
Many dermatologists recommend shea butter for eczema-prone skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties and lack of common skin irritants. It provides a protective barrier while soothing inflammation and itching.
Shea butter has a comedogenic rating of 0-2 (on a scale of 0-5), meaning it is very unlikely to clog pores. Most people with normal to oily skin can use shea butter without breakouts. However, individual skin reactions can vary.
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