Series: It's What's On The Inside that matters
Shea Butter Edition
By Liezl Owen
The Secret’s in the Shea: The Glow-Up Ingredient You Didn’t Know You Needed
Have you heard of shea butter but not quite sure what all the fuss is about — or even how to pronounce it? (It’s “shay” butter, by the way.) We get it. It’s one of those ingredients that pops up everywhere, from fancy face creams to your favorite soap bar. But trust us, once you know what it does, you’ll never look at it the same way again.
We use shea butter in many of our products — our soaps, lip shimmers, and especially in our rich, nourishing lotion bars. And for good reason. Like coconut oil, castor oil, and olive oil (other stars in our ingredient line-up), shea butter pulls more than its weight in skin-loving benefits.
Why We Love It
Deep Moisture
Shea butter is loaded with fatty acids that help seal in moisture and keep dryness at bay. It’s a dream for thirsty skin and perfect for restoring softness to hands, elbows, and everything in between.
Anti-Inflammatory Power
Thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory compounds, shea butter can help calm irritated skin, reduce redness, and soothe flare-ups.
Vitamins A & E
These antioxidants promote collagen production, support skin regeneration, and offer protection from environmental stressors. Basically, they’re skincare superheroes.
Firming & Smoothing
The essential fatty acids in shea butter support collagen production, which helps improve skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Not All Oils Are the Same
Every oil in our soap lineup brings something unique. Here's how shea butter stacks up next to coconut and castor oil:
- Coconut Oil absorbs quickly and deeply, making it a go-to for fast hydration.
- Shea Butter absorbs more slowly and creates a protective, long-lasting moisture barrier.
- Castor Oil penetrates deeply and adds a rich, silky feel to skin and lather alike.
A Skincare Staple with History
Did you know Cleopatra was a fan? Shea butter has been used for centuries across Africa — for cooking, healing, and beautifying. It’s derived from the nut of the shea tree and made through a time-honored process: harvesting, roasting, grinding, kneading, and separating out the precious fat.
We use high-quality shea butter in our soaps, but for our lotion bars, we go a step further. We source raw, unrefined shea butter directly from Africa — rich, golden, and packed with nutrients just as nature intended.
Whether it’s softening dry hands, soothing irritated skin, or giving your skin a protective glow, shea butter does it all — and we’re proud to give it a starring role in so many of our creations.
Ready to experience the nourishing power of shea butter for yourself? Explore our handcrafted soaps and feel the difference this rich ingredient makes.
Curious about other oils we love using? Take a look at our post on the benefits of castor oil in handmade soap.