Winter is here and unfortunately, so is dry skin. Cold weather is known to strip the oils from your skin and leave it feeling dry and flaky. If you haven’t already been moisturising your skin everyday, now is a good time to start.
And what better way to prevent winter time dry cracks than investing in some good quality shea butter.
What Is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is a plant-based fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, native to West Africa. It's been used for centuries for its healing and moisturizing properties. In its raw, unrefined form, shea butter is packed with vitamins A, E, and F, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants—all of which help soothe irritation, improve skin elasticity, and create a protective barrier against harsh environmental elements.
Unrefined Shea Butter
Unrefined shea butter is known to have a smooth ivory colour. Considering it comes from extracting the fats from shea tree nuts, this rich butter is made by crushing, roasting, grounding and then finally, kneading. This butter is more dense than its refined counterpart, so make sure that you select it only if you enjoy using a product that has a heavier feel than other creams. The smell of unrefined shea is also far stronger. The smell is nutty, natural and smooth. It is also known to carry far more nutrients than the refined.
How To Use Unrefined Shea Butter
These are great to use directly on the skin. Simply melt some by rubbing a coin sized scoop in your fingers and apply it to dry skin areas.
Refined Shea Butter
Refined shea has a smooth, white appearance and a neutral scent, making it ideal for people who prefer fragrance-free skincare or want a base for DIY blends. This version of shea butter has been filtered to remove impurities, scent, and color — resulting in a lighter texture that's easier to spread and faster to absorb. While it may carry slightly fewer nutrients than unrefined shea, it's perfect for sensitive skin or cosmetic formulations where consistency is key.
How To Use Refined Shea Butter
Refined shea is great as a base moisturizer or mix-in ingredient. You can apply it directly by melting a coin-sized amount between your fingers and massaging it into the skin. Its mild feel makes it suitable for use on the face, hands, and body — especially for those who want the appearance of hydration without the weight or scent of traditional creams. It's also ideal for making your own skincare — like body butters, lip balms, or light face creams — thanks to its neutral scent and smooth, blendable texture.
Refined Shea Butter vs Unrefined Shea Butter: Which One Should You Choose?
There are a few differences between the two. Let’s explore the distinct features to see what will work best for your needs.
Unrefined shea butter is raw, there it holds more of its natural features. From nutrients, colours and even their scent.
Refined shea butter on the other hand has its impurities removed and therefore, make it easier to use for when making skincare items. The processing also helps improve its shelf life.
Although both butters are useful in their own way, unrefined shea butter appears to offer a higher moisturising capability in comparison to refined shea butter. At Australian Oils of Nature, you have the option of trying out both to see what best suits your needs. If you need something shelf stable and long lasting, then refined shea butter might be the way to go. If you’re experiencing dry skin and would like to reduce the appearance of ashiness on your skin, then unrefined shea butter might work best.
Which Shea Butter Is Better for Skin?
Depending on your requirements, both shea butter appear to have a moisturising effect on your skin. If you’d like something that will last a long time and can be carried around with ease, refined shea butter will do the trick. If you want an organic shea butter that will appear to reduce the dryness of your skin with more intensity, then the raw options will be a better pick.
Shea butter also appears to have benefits on applying to lips and fingers, especially when they start to crack during colder months.
Is Raw Shea Butter Better for Hair?
Thanks to the high amount of fatty acids, shea butter appears to improve hair health. Used as a popular way to keep hair appearing voluminous and healthy. It’s best to apply this when the hair is wet if you don’t want to leave your hair feeling greasy. Simply apply a little on your palms and give them a quick rub, before using your fingers to apply it into your hair and scalp.
Is Shea Butter Comedogenic?
It is not comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to check with your doctor before you apply it.