Shea Butter Knowledge Hub

What Is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a natural, nutrient-rich fat extracted from the nuts of the Vitellaria paradoxa tree, native to West and Central Africa. It has been used for centuries for skincare, healing, cooking, and cultural rituals.

Where it comes from:

Grows in the African savannah belt.
Trees take 15–20 years to produce nuts.
Harvesting is traditionally done by women’s cooperatives.
Shea is considered a sacred, heritage crop in many communities.

How it’s traditionally harvested:

Fallen nuts are collected by hand.
Shells are cracked open.
Kernels are sun-dried.
Kernels are roasted, ground, kneaded, and separated into butter.

Unrefined vs refined shea:

Unrefined shea: ivory to pale yellow, retains vitamins and antioxidants, best for skincare. Refined shea: white, odorless, chemically processed, loses nutrients.

Ray Ray’s Orgainics uses pure, unrefined shea

The Science of Shea Butter

: Fatty acid profile:

Oleic acid: deep moisturization and softening.
Stearic acid: strengthens the skin barrier.
Linoleic acid: supports skin repair and reduces inflammation.
Palmitic acid: adds smoothness and stability.
Arachidic acid: enhances texture and absorption.

Vitamins and compounds:

Vitamin A: supports skin renewal.
Vitamin E: antioxidant protection.
Phytosterols: calm irritation and support recovery.
Cinnamic acid esters: natural soothing properties.

Benefits for Skin

Hydration

Shea butter locks in moisture and keeps skin hydrated for hours.

Barrier Repair

Fatty acids strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.

Soothing and Calming

Helps reduce the feeling of tightness, dryness, and irritation.

Softening and Smoothing

Improves texture and leaves skin feeling conditioned.

Non-comedogenic Notes

Pure shea is generally rated 0–2 on the comedogenic scale.

How Shea Butter Is Made

Traditional method:

Nuts are collected.
Shells are cracked.
Kernels are sun-dried.
Kernels are roasted.
Roasted kernels are ground into paste.
Paste is kneaded with water.
Butter rises and is skimmed.
Butter is melted, filtered, and cooled.

Ray Ray’s Orgainics method:

Pure, unrefined shea.
Small-batch production.
Temperature-controlled whipping.
Clean oils added in precise ratios.
No fillers, no water, no preservatives.
Hand-crafted for consistency and quality.

Shea Butter vs Body Butter

Pure shea butter: firm, dense, 100 percent shea, slow absorption, best for cracked or dry skin.

Body butter: whipped, contains shea plus oils and butters, faster absorption, best for daily moisture.

Shea Butter Myths and Facts

Myth: Shea butter clogs pores.
Fact: Pure shea is generally low-comedogenic.

Myth: Yellow shea is always natural

Fact: Natural shea is ivory; yellow shea is often colored with Boru tutu root.

Myth: Shea butter is greasy.
Fact: When applied correctly, it absorbs slowly but effectively.

Myth: All shea butter is the same.
Fact: Quality varies widely.

Safety and Usage

Patch testing: apply a small amount to the inner arm and wait 24 hours.

Shelf life: 12–24 months.

Storage: keep in a cool, dry place.

Who can use it: adults, children, babies, men, sensitive skin types.

How much to apply: a small amount warmed between the palms.

Temperature sensitivity: may soften in heat or firm in cold.

How to Use Shea Butter

For Skin

Daily moisturizer, after-shower sealing, elbows, knees, heels, dry patches.

For Hair

Seal moisture into ends, soften curls, protect during braids or twists, soothe dry scalp.

For Men

Beard conditioning, post-shave soothing, dry hands and elbows.

For Babies

Gentle moisture, dry cheeks, external diaper area protection.

Ethical and Cultural Roots

- Traditionally produced by women’s cooperatives.
- Provides income for rural communities.
- Shea trees are protected.
- Considered a heritage crop.
- Supports sustainability and biodiversity.

Ingredient Transparency

Ray Ray’s Organics uses:

Pure, unrefined shea.
Clean, premium oils.
No water.
No preservatives.
No fillers.
Small-batch production.
Temperature-controlled whipping.
Legacy-driven craftsmanship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does shea butter get grainy?
Temperature changes cause natural fatty acids to crystallize.

Is shea butter safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, unrefined shea is gentle for most skin types.

Can shea butter expire?
Yes, typically after 12–24 months.

Why does the color vary?
Natural shea ranges from ivory to pale yellow.

What's the difference between refined and unrefined shea?
Refined shea is processed and loses nutrients; unrefined shea retains vitamins and antioxidants.

Video Library

How I Make a Batch of Shea Butter.
What Makes Pure Shea Butter Different.
How to Use Shea Butter Dail.y
Why I Choose Unrefined Shea.