Essentially Natural Shea Oil - Refined
Essentially Natural Shea Oil - Refined
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Essentially Natural Shea Oil is a refined shea olein, the liquid fraction obtained by fractionating shea butter and refining the pourable portion. It provides rich emolliency, softness and a light protective oil film in skincare and haircare formulations while being easier to weigh and blend than solid shea butter. The oil can appear slightly cloudy at cooler room temperatures and becomes clear when gently warmed. It is Fair For Life certified, supporting traceability and Fair Trade development initiatives within the supply chain.
♡ Why we love it: We choose to offer Shea Oil because it gives makers the cushioning richness associated with shea in a fluid, easy-to-handle format. It works beautifully in body oils, emulsions and haircare products where a nourishing feel is wanted without the firmness of solid butter.
Key properties
- INCI Name: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
- Type: Refined Shea Olein (Liquid Shea)
- Form: Pourable oil
- Appearance: Slightly turbid at room temperature and clear when gently warmed
- Aroma: Slight natural odour
- Solubility: Oil soluble, not water soluble
- Typical Usage Rate: Up to 20% in oil-in-water emulsions
- Fair For Life (Fair Trade)
- Suitable For: Skincare, Haircare And Cosmetic Formulation Use
- Food Safety Note: Suitable for personal food use, not confirmed as food grade certified
- Storage: Store tightly sealed away from light, ideally below 23°C
What it's used for
- Adding rich emolliency to creams, lotions, balms and body oils
- Creating a soft, cushioning skin feel
- Supporting a light protective oil film that helps reduce moisture loss
- Hair oils, conditioners, masks and leave-on products for lengths and ends
- Building shea-rich formulas with a more fluid oil phase
- Blending with other carrier oils and oil-soluble ingredients
Who it's for
- Formulators wanting shea richness in a pourable format
- Makers who need an oil that is easier to weigh and scale than solid butter
- Skincare products requiring softness, cushion and emolliency
- Haircare formulas for dry-feeling lengths and ends
- Brands that value Fair For Life certification and supply-chain traceability
- Water-based formulas without a suitable emulsifier
- Anyone looking for an essential oil
- Products that require the structure and firmness of solid shea butter
- Anyone expecting a completely clear oil at cool room temperatures
This Product Is For:
This Product Is Not For:
How to use
- As a Body Oil: Apply a small amount neat or blend with other suitable carrier oils.
- As an Emollient: Add to the oil phase of creams, lotions and emulsified serums.
- In Balms: Blend with suitable butters and waxes to adjust richness and spreadability.
- As a Hair Oil: Apply sparingly to the lengths and ends or include in conditioners and hair masks.
- Processing Tip: Warm gently to approximately 35-40°C with stirring when needed to obtain a clear, uniform oil.
- Formulation Tip: Replacing solid shea butter with shea oil will produce a softer, more fluid finished texture.
Safety instructions
- For external use unless used appropriately in a suitable personal food application
- Patch test before first topical use
- Avoid contact with eyes
- Use clean, dry utensils when dispensing
- Discontinue use if irritation occurs
- Store tightly sealed away from heat and direct sunlight
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
Faqs
Q: Is Shea Oil the same as melted shea butter?
A: No. It is the naturally more liquid fraction of shea butter, separated through fractionation and then refined.
Q: Can Shea Oil be used directly on the skin?
A: Yes. It can be applied neat in small amounts or blended with other carrier oils.
Q: Can it replace shea butter in a formula?
A: It can replace some or all of the shea butter, but the finished product will generally be softer, more fluid and
less structurally firm.
Q: Why does the oil sometimes appear cloudy?
A: Natural shea fractions can become slightly turbid at cooler temperatures. Gentle warming usually returns the oil to
a clear, uniform appearance.
Q: What does Fair For Life mean for this product?
A: Fair For Life is a Fair Trade certification that supports supply-chain traceability and community development
initiatives.
