Special Ingredient: Shea Butter
Also known as Karite Butter, shea butter comes from the nuts found in the fruits of the shea tree. Although used for thousands of years by the women of central Africa to protect their skin form the harsh sun and drying effects of the desert (and as a cooking oil), it is a relatively recent newcomer to our beauty regime.
Sourced form northern Ghana our certified organic shea butter is made by the widow's group – a cooperative of 150 women who still use traditional methods to extract superb quality shea butter.
The Shea Tree
and the production of Shea Butter
Also known as the "God Send" tree by the people of the African Savannah, no individual person can own a Shea nut tree.
It is believed to be taboo so instead it belongs to the community. It is forbidden to cut or cause damage to a sheanut tree.
The tree is long-lived and fruits only once a year, and developing the 'Karite' nut. The nuts are hand-picked by women and
children in the community and the oil extracted by boiling it and finally refining the product into the 'shea butter'.
Womens Domain
Cultivating and extracting Shea Butter belongs to the women, an activity that gives them independence and a source of income.
The harvested nuts are dried and shelled, heated in a clay oven and then pounded in mortars. The resulting mass is mixed with water and beaten for about 45 minutes. The butter separates and can be skimmed off (the process is comparable to churning milk to make butter).Products containing shea butter:
Carrot Butter Cleanser, Double Rose Rejuvenating, Double Rose Ultra, Antioxidant Face Cream, Lip & Eye Cream, Hand & Body Creams, Self Tan, SPF & After Sun, Sheer Tints, Rose Plus,
The Science behind Shea Butter
Why is this 'simple' butter such an effective beauty ingredient. Firstly, nothing in nature is simple and shea butter is no
exception. Packed full of antioxidants, phytochemicals, essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory steroids shea butter is
an exceptional beauty secret.