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African Shea Butter.

Commonly known as: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (INCI), Shea Oil, Butter Tree, Vitellaria paradoxa.
Botanical name: Butyrospermum parkii.
Extraction process: Organic shea kernels are first cold-pressed, then refined.
Family: Sapotaceae.
Part of the plant extracted: Almonds.
Location: West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Senegal) as well as Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Sudan and Uganda.
Flowering: From January to March.
Provenance, origin: Burkina Faso.
Phytochemical composition: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (linolenic acid, linoleic acid), monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, gadoleic acid), saturated fatty acids (myristic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid), vitamins (A, D, E, F), phytosterols (alpha-spinasterol, delta-7-stigmasterol), terpene alcohols (alpha and beta-amyrin, cinnamic acid, parkeol, lupeol, butyrospermol), allantoin, latex.
Sensorial properties: Appearance: Solid butter at 20°C and liquid at 30-35°C; Colour: Creamy white; Scent: Distinctive; Feel: Non-greasy and smooth.
Physical characteristics: Densité : 0,90 - 0,93 g/cm3 ; Soluble dans l'huile et l'éther de pétrole ; Peu soluble dans l'alcool ; Potentiel oxydatif : Stable ; Indice de comédogénicité : 0 ; Indice de saponification : 160 - 200 KOH/g; Refractive index: 1.460–1.475; pH: Non-aqueous product.
Benefits: Regenerates, softens, soothes, moisturises, nourishes, smooths, emollient, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.
Concerns: All skin typologies, especially dry, mature, sensitive and irritated skin; All hair typologies, especially dry and brittle hair with split ends; Also recommended for sunburn.

Details

Properties

  • Softens, soothes:

  • Anti-inflammatory:

  • Nourishes:

  • Regenerates:

Uses

  • Facial skincare(lip balms, face creams, under-eye creams, beard oils, cleansing oils, BB creams, masks, enriched soaps);

  • Body skincare(body balms, scrubs, lotions, hand and foot creams, deodorants, moisturising scrubs, hand masks, sun creams and sprays, solid soaps);

  • Hair care(shampoos, hair masks, detangling products, conditioners, oils).

How to store

Keep in a place that is <18°C and away from air, heat and light.

Warnings and precautions for use

There are no risksassociated withthe cosmetic use of shea butter. Pregnant women and young children can use it. The International Expert Committee considers it a safe cosmetic ingredient that can be usedat a concentration of up to 60% in the finished product, without risk of toxicity.

Important:Shea butter naturally contains latex, so be careful if you are allergic.

Find out more

Shea butter is included in the Senegalese pharmacopoeia to soothe sprains and aches. Today, it is widely used in cosmetic products because of its moisturizing and nourishing benefits. It is also recommended to prevent sun allergies.