Shea Magic
All you need to know about our organic, unrefined shea butter
At the heart of all our skincare is organic shea butter, but what is it?
Also known as sheanut butter or karite, shea butter comes from the seed of the West African shea tree. The shea butter we use is raw, organic and unrefined, meaning that it hasn't undergone any chemical refining or extraction processes thereby retaining its natural vitamin and mineral content for maximum skin nourishment. It is extracted by hand in the traditional way, by women’s co-operatives in Ghana committed to empowering women in their local community.
Why we love it
Shea butter is packed full of natural fats and oils which are easily absorbed into the skin and help repair the natural barrier that protects our skin from environmental toxins. It prevents dryness by locking in moisture, making shea butter an excellent natural moisturiser that doesn’t leave your skin looking or feeling greasy.
Containing vitamins and antioxidants, it has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be great for soothing irritated skin typical of conditions like eczema or acne. It can balance the natural oils in your skin and promote healthy cell regeneration, reducing scarring and stretch marks and plumping the skin.
How it’s made
Our shea butter is made using the centuries-old traditional method of Ghanaian women. The fruits are harvested from the ground, the seeds dried out in the sun, roasted over an open fire, then milled to release the rich butter from inside.
The butter is kneaded by hand, heated to remove impurities, then filtered and, finally, packed for distribution.
Women's Gold
The organic, unrefined shea butter we use in our skincare is produced by women’s co-operatives in Ghana. These co-operatives have empowered over 20,000 women to stay in their villages, instead of leaving their communities to find work in urban centres. By processing the Shea Butter locally instead of harvesting and selling only the fruits, the women earn more money, selling a ready-made organic product. It’s no wonder Shea Butter is known as ‘Women’s Gold’ in West Africa.
Our organic African shea butter is certified organic by the Soil Association, and has been grown without the use of any harmful pesticides.