FAQS

Common names: Shea, karité
Scientific name: Vitellaria Paradoxa

It is a creamy-colored fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees (Butyrospermum parkii or “butter seed”) that grows wild in the savannah regions of West and East Africa.

Virgin Unrefined African Shea Butter is extracted from the Shea nut and left completely unrefined. Because of the lack of refinement, African Shea Butter has a pale beige color and has the typical odor normally associated with Shea Butter. Omique’ s shea butter comes from Burkina Faso, Africa and is fair trade certified along with certified organic.

Refined vs. Unrefined Shea

Unrefined shea butter simply means it is extracted and prepared without the use of chemicals or preservative . This process is the same way African people have been doing it for centuries. Shea butter that is “Unrefined” keeps all of its natural healing properties and moisturizing benefits and in doing so Unrefined shea butter maintains its nutty scent and beige color.

On the other hand, refined shea butter has usually been extracted with hexane or other petroleum solvents and some antioxidants or preservatives may also be added. Refined shea butter has been chemically altered to remove shea butters natural scent, is bleach white in color and retains only a small portion of its natural healing properties. The end result of refinement is an odorless, white butter that may be aesthetically appealing, but lacks the true benefits and nutritive properties of true traditional shea butter.

Main ingredients for our shea butter products:

• Organic Unrefined Shea Butter
• Almond Oil
• Essential Oil
• Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate)

Remember to store in cool temperatures.

Shea nuts are extracted from the fruit by crushing and boiling. Shea nuts are picked, cracked, grilled and pounded to extract the butter which is then boiled in water until the fresh shea butter rises to the surface. It is then scooped into gourds and left to cool and set. Although these artisanal methods result in smaller output, no chemicals or synthetic agents are needed at any stage. Shea butter may also be extracted by pressing in an expeller type press which cuts 3-5 hours off the extraction time. Again, no chemicals or synthetics are needed. The end product of either method is raw, or unrefined shea butter.

A recent study conducted by several physicians was submitted to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology as a letter to the editor. The letter states that there are no reports of ingestion or contact-related reactions to shea butter in individuals with nut allergy. The doctors determined that shea nut and shea butter contain extremely low levels of water/salt soluble protein and as a result there would be minimal availability of protein in commercial shea butter products. I would still exercise caution, since they stated that “it is unknown whether nipple creams with shea butter used by mothers could predispose to sensitization toward other tree nuts or peanuts in breast-fed infants.” Interestingly, I also learned from this study that shea nuts contains latex.

So the advice is to use caution, but with the evidence above it’s worth giving it a try . If you have a nut allergy and are concerned about having a reaction , try a tiny bit on small area of skin, and not your face. I’d suggest the inside of your wrist or the back of your neck.

Keep in a cool area, below 50 degrees .Store in a dark area, away, from harsh heat or sun. You may keep refrigerated to extend shelf life.

The shelf life can be prolonged when stored under proper conditions as outlined below:

• Do not leave the product in your car with the windows closed.
• Use clean hands when handling your Body Jam Shea butter.
• Store and transport in cool conditions and in airtight containers.

Body Jam has an average shelf life of 12 months without the addition of preservatives when stored in proper conditions.

Pure Shea butter has a low melt quality and starts melting at 75°F . This quality is actually a great benefit a low melt quality allows the skin to absorb the butter effortlessly at body temperature.

Shea butter is best warmed up and worked into the skin by warming in between hands first. Apply a thin layer to skin and rub deeply You will have a slight sheen on the skin that will dissipate as the Shea butter finishes absorbing into your skin. At the end of the day you will notice that your skin is softer, more pliable and feels better, even after just one application .