Shea butter is a natural substance traditionally produced by women living in West African countries from the nuts of the shea tree, known as karite. For many generations, women have used the product, sometimes referred to as “women’s gold,” as a food supplement, as a hair and skin care product, and for medicinal purposes. For example, when babies are born in the villages, they are lathered with shea butter to protect their skin from the rays of the sun.

Shea Butter is a fatty extract from the seed of the Shea tree. PURE SHEA BUTTER is a superior moisturizer, containing remarkable healing properties for various skin ailments. Unrefined Shea Butter has the largest healing fraction and contains very special natural ingredients that are ideal for healthier skin.


Shea butter or Shea nut butter is a slightly yellowish or ivory-colored natural fat extracted from fruit of the shea tree by crushing and boiling.  Shea butter is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer and an emollient. Shea butter is also edible.   It is used as a cooking oil in West Africa, as well as sometimes being used in the chocolate industry as a substitute for cocoa butter.

The shea or karite tree produces its first fruit (which resemble large plums) when it is about 20 years old and reaches its full production when the tree is about 45 years old. It produces nuts for up to 200 years after reaching maturity.

Shea butter is known especially for its cosmetic properties as a moisturizer and emollient. It is also a known anti-inflammatory agent, although we make no medical claims here! :-) Shea butter is reported by many as being effective at treating the following conditions: fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, severely dry skin, blemishes, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretchmarks, wrinkles, and in lessening the irritation of psoriasis.

Shea butter provides natural ultraviolet sun protection, although the level of protection is extremely variable, ranging from none at all to approximately SPF 6. Shea butter absorbs rapidly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling.

In Nigeria, it is known to be very effective in the management of sinusitis and relief of nasal congestion. This is due to it's emollient properties which helps in relaxing the tension in the face skin thus easing respiration. All you need do if you have sinus problems or congestion is rub a considerable amount of the butter in and around the nostrils.

Shea butter can be found in many high end moisturizing skin products, INCLUDED OUR OWN GOAT MILK SOAP, GOAT MILK LOTION AND GOAT MILK FOOT CREAMS.  PLEASE SEE US AT NEENEESSOAPSHOP ON THE WEB.  Check out our goat milk items!

 Shea butter is known for its skin softening effect. It is also used in hair conditioners to add and maintain moisture in dry brittle hair, in addition to revitalizing and preventing breakage.

Shea butter is also used in some indigenous ceremonies. Followers of the Holy Spirit Movement rebel group of Uganda smeared their bodies with shea butter in the belief that it would stop bullets.

Handcrafted shea butter is used in Togo, West Africa for ceremonies among the Fulani ethnic group.

Many carvers of djembe shells and other African drum shells use shea butter to condition the wood. Shea butter is also used to condition the goat or cow skin heads of these drums.

As the amount of shea butter actually in a product comes into question more and more frequently, make sure that 'shea butter' is listed as one of the first five ingredients in any item. If it's tenth in the list, there's probably not too much shea butter in there!