SHEA ORGANIC BUTTER RAW

Raw Organic Shea Butter in Bulk for Cosmetic Formulation

Raw organic shea butter is a vegetable fat obtained by cold pressing, without any subsequent refining or deodorizing steps. This guide covers its composition, origin, and the main cosmetic applications for which formulators and laboratories source it, highlighting what sets it apart from refined versions of the same butter.

What is Raw Organic Shea Butter?

Raw organic shea butter is extracted from the nut of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), native to West Africa, through mechanical cold pressing without chemical bleaching or deodorizing. Because it stays in its unprocessed state, it retains its full natural profile of fatty acids -oleic, stearic and linoleic- along with vitamins A, E and F, phytosterols and triterpene alcohols naturally present in the raw nut.

Unlike refined shea butter, the raw version keeps a stronger natural scent and color, along with a higher concentration of unsaponifiables, the fraction responsible for its regenerating and protective properties. Its organic certification ensures traceability of the crop and the absence of solvents or synthetic additives throughout the extraction process.

Cosmetic Uses of Raw Organic Shea Butter

Balms and body creams. Its dense, buttery texture makes it ideal as a base for repairing balms and highly nourishing body creams, particularly in formulations for very dry or cracked skin.

Hair care. It is added to masks and solid conditioners for its ability to seal the hair fiber and add softness without weighing it down, making it common in natural lines for curly or damaged hair.

Cold-process and solid cosmetics. Being unrefined, it is especially valued in natural cosmetics and solid bars -shampoo bars, cold-process soap, lip sticks- where preserving the original unsaponifiable profile matters.

Lip care and sensitive-area products. Its emollient profile makes it a frequent ingredient in lip balms and eye contour creams, where a stable, well-tolerated fatty base is required.

CAS: 194043-92-0 / 91080-23-8. EINECS: 293-515-7. INCI: Butyrospermum parkii Butter.