Ik bestel hier mijn jojoba olie al erg lang en ben echt heel tevreden over de kwaliteit.
Ik zal hier zeker blijven bestellen!
De olie is heerlijk van geur en verwerkt zich fijn in mijn producten. Krijg er een boost van als ik het ruil😊
Shea Butter as a Raw Material: Refined or Unrefined?
We supply shea butter in two forms: cold-pressed (unrefined) and refined. On this page, we explain how they differ and when our customers choose each type.
The short answer: unrefined shea retains the nut’s natural colour and scent, which can vary from batch to batch. Refined shea is decolourised and deodorised after pressing, making it neutral and virtually consistent from batch to batch. Which one you choose depends on how much you want the shea itself to contribute to the colour and scent of your finished product, as well as your purchase price.
One butter, two processes
Both butters come from the shea tree nut, and both are sourced by us from Burkina Faso. They also have the same INCI name: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter. You use this name on your label and in your product dossier for both forms.
The difference comes after pressing. Our cold-pressed shea butter is not processed any further. Our refined shea butter undergoes physical decolourisation and deodorisation. Nothing is added; something is simply removed.
Colour and scent
Unrefined shea ranges from ivory to light yellow, sometimes with a greyish tinge, and has a natural, nutty scent that you can smell in an unscented product. As a natural product, a new batch may look and smell slightly different from the previous one. The harvest, origin and season all play a part.
Refined shea is white to off-white and virtually odourless. This makes it suitable as a neutral base: your own fragrance remains true, and every production run looks the same.
We’re often asked whether refined shea is less pure. It isn’t. Both consist of a single ingredient; the difference lies in the processing. Read more in our blog about cold-pressed and refined oils.
What else refining does to the butter
Decolourisation and deodorisation also remove some of the naturally occurring substances in the butter that contribute to its colour and scent. The details for your batch are listed in the product specification and certificate of analysis.
As fats, the two behave similarly in a formula: they have the same melting behaviour and serve the same role in a cream, balm or soap. In practice, the differences you’ll notice are colour, scent and price.
Comparing the two forms
| Feature | Cold-pressed (unrefined) | Refined |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Ivory to light yellow | White to off-white |
| Scent | Natural, nutty | Virtually odourless |
| Variation between batches | May be visible and noticeable by smell | Virtually consistent |
| INCI | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | |
| Origin | Burkina Faso | |
| Organic | Yes, SKAL-certified | |
| Pack sizes | 2.3 to 50 kg | 2.3 to 25 kg |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Which type of shea do our customers choose?
The best option depends on the product. Here’s what we see our customers choosing:
- Soap makers use shea to make a milder bar of soap. If they use their own fragrance, they usually choose refined shea so its natural scent doesn’t come through.
- Cosmetics brands with a consistent product range often choose refined shea, so every production run looks and smells the same.
- Brands that put shea itself centre stage choose unrefined shea. Its natural colour and scent then become part of the story on the label.
- Balm and deodorant makers choose based on scent: in a product that stays exposed on the skin, the nutty scent of unrefined shea is easy to notice.
- Massage therapists and salons use shea in massage butters and foot balms, usually choosing refined shea so the essential oils they add retain their true scent.
- Private label clients looking for a light, white formula choose refined shea; yellow butter will tint a white cream.
Price and pack sizes
Refined shea is more affordable. We supply unrefined shea in packs up to 50 kg and refined shea in packs up to 25 kg. The price per kilo drops considerably with larger pack sizes; each product page lists the price per kg for every pack size, so you can compare the two directly.
If you order enough for an entire production run at once, you can use the same batch from start to finish. With unrefined shea, this helps prevent differences in colour and scent between your products.
Documentation
On the product page for each butter, you’ll find the product specification (PDS), safety data sheet (SDS) and certificate of analysis (COA) for the batch. You’ll need these for your product dossier, and they also let you look up which batch you used later on.
So, which shea should you choose?
Unrefined if you want the shea’s natural colour and scent to be part of your product, or if that’s part of your product’s story.
Refined if you’re looking for a neutral, white base for your own colour and fragrance, need every production run to be consistent, and price is a consideration.
Order shea butter from us alongside your other butters, waxes, carrier oils and essential oils. For larger volumes or regular orders, we’d be happy to provide a quote.
Not sure which type is right for your product? Send us a message about what you’re making, and we’ll be happy to advise.