Refined vs. Unrefined Shea Butter

Refined vs. unrefined shea butter:

Since shea butter comes in two forms, you may wonder if you should use refined vs. unrefined shea butter. They both have their pros and cons, so read on to decide which one you would like to use.

Shea butter is a product derived from nuts that are produced by the karité tree, which is native to Western Africa, especially Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

The nuts that are harvested from the karité tree, after having been harvested, are then roasted and crushed to extract the butter from the nuts.

The nuts are then allowed to settle and the butter will rise to the top of the mixture and is then scooped from the surface.

Shea butter is known for its skin-nourishing properties and is rich in vitamins A, E, and F, essential fatty acids as well as Omega-6 and 9.

These ingredients are known for their ability to soothe and preserve skin, assisting with a range of skin conditions including dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, sunburn, and skin irritations.

Also read about Shea Butter vs. Cocoa Butter, Kokum Butter Benefits, and Tamanu Oil for Skin.

Is unrefined shea butter the same as raw?

Though it looks like the same thing, unrefined and refined shea butter has some pretty notable differences.

Refined shea butter is produced from fresh shea nuts. Unrefined shea butter is produced from dried shea nuts. Since the nuts are dried, to begin with, the refining process isn’t as intensive.

Therefore, unrefined shea butter contains more vitamins, nutrients, and other beneficial, healthy components.

Also, refined shea butter has a lighter color, whereas unrefined shea butter looks darker. Because it’s less processed, unrefined shea butter tends to be more expensive.

What is refined shea butter used for?

Refined shea butter is commonly used to substitute other ingredients. It has a waxy look, but melts easily and has a smooth texture. It is a great moisturizer and can keep your skin young.

As an ingredient in lotions, it is much better than most moisturizers that are currently on the market. So, if you want to start using an excellent skincare cream, then you should use refined shea butter! Here are some ways to use unrefined shea butter:

Treat dry skin:

It’s important to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, and this ingredient is a tried-and-true moisturizer that beats other lotions and creams! Give your skin that glow it’s been craving with this refined shea butter by indulging your dry skin.

Shea butter is all-natural and is full of fatty acids which leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Use this butter after showering and you’ll be ready to face your day with confidence.

Improve hair health:

Shea butter is a natural wonder that can be used in a variety of ways, including making your hair happy & healthy!

It is a great ingredient to use on your hair. Shea butter can help to soften, moisturize and heal brittle hair. It’s wonderful to use when you get out of the shower!

Just rub the shea butter all over your hair and scalp and leave it on while you do your makeup. Doing this will help to repair split ends and make your hair shiny and beautiful!

Enhance your lips:

Refined shea butter is an ingredient that is commonly added to beauty products, but did you know it can add that extra glow you need to your lips?

Everyone wants a soft and kissable pout to show off with, but it’s difficult to get just what you want. Many times, lip balms and glosses can actually dry out your lips, making them more chapped and irritable than they were before.

It’s difficult to find a product that can moisturize your lips without leaving them with excess oil or making your skin feel tight after using. Shea butter is an alternative that will help you achieve the kissable lips you always wanted.

Calm inflamed skin:

Shea butter is a great option for anyone dealing with inflamed skin, whether it is due to eczema or bad sunburn. It is full of vitamins and nutrients that will help the skin look and feel its best.

Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that will help with inflammation and promote healthy skin cells. Take advantage of this opportunity to get better skin and to treat yourself to something natural and beautiful!

Help ease eczema and acne:

If you’re suffering from eczema or acne, shea butter can help! For skin issues like acne and eczema, it’s important to get something soothing that also helps with the healing process.

Shea butter has a property known as “non-comedogenic” which means it does not exacerbate the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

It’s often used in healing scars and protecting them from further damage. It can also be used to lighten scars that are caused by acne, and can also be used to treat rosacea and dermatitis. This is because it is effective in reducing redness, inflammation, and irritation on the skin.

Repair cracked heels:

A cracked heel is an embarrassing problem to have. There are many symptoms of cracked heels, from a rough texture on the skin to inflammation, pain, and even bleeding.

The proper term for cracked heels is heel fissures, and they are usually caused by dry skin, which is caused by the lack of the body’s natural oils.

Shea butter can repair cracked heels and cuticles. If moisture is properly maintained, the damage to the skin can be reduced.

Shea butter is best used after a shower. Leave the butter on the affected area until the skin absorbs it. Then, gently wipe away any excess.

How to tell if shea butter is good?

There are many different kinds of Shea Butter, but you must use the right kind. After all, you want to be sure you’re buying a product that’s good for you and your skin. When you’re looking for this product, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind.

The first thing to check is the smell. Does it smell good? Like how it smells when you open a new jar of peanut butter? If it doesn’t, throw it out and don’t buy it.
Look for a shea butter that contains vitamin A and E. These ingredients will not only help you, but the quality of the shea butter as well.
Look for shea butter that doesn’t contain a large amount of liquid. It should still stay in its solid form when you take it out of the container, so it will be easy to apply.
Make sure that you only buy shea butter that is fair trade and organic. This will ensure that you are getting a high-quality shea butter that is ethical and made with the best possible ingredients.

Is refined shea butter organic?

Yes, it is! Refined shea butter is made by squeezing out the oil naturally contained in the shea nut. The product is then heated to separate the fatty acids and make the product drier. This creates the refined shea butter that you could purchase at a health food store.

There are some people out there who would not call it organic because of the manufacturing process. There is some organic shea butter available, and you can usually tell its organic if the price is very high and the product is very oily.

Is refined shea butter edible?

Refined shea butter is indeed edible. Refined shea butter is often used as an ingredient in many food products. However, you should note that refined shea butter is from a nut and therefore, it may contain traces of nut protein.

Some people are allergic to nuts and therefore, they may experience a reaction if they consume refined shea butter without knowing it contains a trace of nut protein.

In addition, refined shea butter is usually refined through the process of hexane, which is a petroleum by-product. It may have traces of hexane in it, which some people find hard to digest.

How to store shea butter?

Storing shea butter is easy. Shea butter comes in a relatively hard state, which makes it easier to store. It has already been deodorized and defatted, so there’s no need to worry about potential odors. Refined shea butter does not need to be refrigerated, and can become too hard in the refrigerator.

It is best to keep it in a cool, dark place such as a basement. Refined shea butter can last for years, as long as they are stored properly. The only way that refined shea butter will spoil is if it is exposed to very high heat or moisture.

Summary on refined vs unrefined shea butter:

Refined shea butter is the processed form of shea butter. It is a natural moisturizer that can be used for a variety of products. Today, it is most notably used in the cosmetic world.

It has a lovely scent and consistency. It’s used in lotions, soaps, lip balms, and other beauty products. Shea butter can also be used in cooking.

Refined shea butter has antioxidant properties, which help rejuvenate skin and repair damaged hair. Refined shea butter is very easy to apply and it will soak into the skin very quickly, leaving you with a healthy glow.

More about vegan skincare:

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