Shea Butter: the butter I build almost everything on
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If butters were a team, shea would be the captain. It's rich, it's protective, it plays well with everything, and it's the base of more of my recipes than any other single ingredient.
Where it comes from
It's the fat from the nut of the African shea tree, Butyrospermum parkii. Unrefined shea has a natural, nutty scent and a soft, creamy texture that melts the moment it touches warm skin.
What it does for your skin
It's loaded with fatty acids and natural vitamins A and E, so it deeply nourishes, softens and forms a gentle protective layer that helps skin hold its moisture. It's wonderful for dry skin, rough elbows and knees, weather-chapped hands, and anywhere that needs a bit of comfort.
How to use it
- The main butter in balms and body butters — often 20 to 50%
- Whipped on its own or with a light oil for a fluffy body butter
- In lip balms for a softer, creamier feel
- In lotions and creams as the nourishing part of the oil phase
A tip: melt it gently and don't overheat it, and if you're whipping it, let it cool slowly so it stays smooth rather than grainy.
Steph x