Shea butter, if it has turned white or grainy

Our Shea Butter is 100% natural. This means it really only contains the fat from the nut tree. Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree, which grows in Africa. This tree is known as 'The Tree of Life' because of its many special applications. Cold-pressed so that all the beneficial properties are preserved. It is excellent care for skin and hair. Made by nature, 100% natural. No parabens, no perfume, and not tested on animals. Suitable for all ages.

View our 100% natural skincare here.

Your Shea Butter may look different every time you receive a new batch! Please read on.

Shea butter has turned white and is very hard

Natural and unrefined Shea Butter can be very hard and whiter than usual, especially in colder temperatures (below approximately 15ºC). For Shea Butter that is unprocessed and contains no plasticizers or other additives, weather influences and batch variations are always noticeable. That is the hallmark of unrefined, natural products.

Making Shea butter easier to spread

In warmer weather or in a warm environment, the Shea Butter will become easier to spread, especially if it is kept in a warmer spot. To soften Shea Butter, you can place it in a container of warm water for a while or in the microwave for 3-6 minutes at approximately 600W-800W. Keep a close eye on it so the Shea does not become too liquid. Stir well afterwards, and if you store it at room temperature, the Shea will remain easy to spread.
We also have Shea Butter mixed with a natural oil (such as Raspberry oil), which is easier to spread.

Grains in the Shea Butter

Sometimes grains occur in natural butter, such as Shea, Mango, or Avocado butter. This is a natural phenomenon of unrefined butters. The grains are actually solidified fat globules.
Butters that are pure and unrefined are not completely uniform; thicker "pieces," a kind of white globule, may occur in the butter, or conversely, thinner structures like oil. This effect is amplified at warmer or colder temperatures, for example during shipping. Grains in the Shea occur because butters naturally consist of different fats, all of which have a different melting point. Each type of fat therefore has its own unique solidification temperature. During temperature fluctuations, such as during transport, the butter may melt completely for a time. Some fats in the butter cool down faster than others. The fats that have separated and cooled first tend to become firmer than the rest of the butter. This can give the butter a grainy texture.
Although this grainy texture may be quite unpleasant to apply to your skin, the good news is that this does not mean the butter is not good. The grains do not affect the quality of the butter.

Preventing or dissolving grains in the butter.

The best way is to melt the butter slowly and completely. For example, by placing it in warm water, in a pan, or in the microwave. Once the butter has become completely liquid, stir well and let it cool down quickly, for example in the refrigerator. This speeds up the solidification process and prevents grains from forming. Once the butter has solidified, it is best to store it in a cool place, e.g., in the refrigerator.

Black spots in the Shea

Small black dots in the Shea Butter are not a problem. Our Shea Butter is as pure, unrefined, and only coarsely filtered as possible. As a result, some remnants of the Shea nuts may sometimes be visible in the Shea Butter. Large, dark spots in the Shea Butter can also appear after frequent use. This is usually because some water gets into the Shea Butter via your fingers. Unfortunately, this cannot always be prevented. Bacteria and mold can grow due to the water. These spots can easily be scooped out with a spoon. The rest of the Shea is then perfectly fine to use. Shea Butter itself is very resistant to spoilage because it naturally contains no water.