To Shea, or not to Shea. Is that the question?

Well actually, it is not the question. We know that:

*Shea butter moisturizes skin and hair.

*Shea butter is good for sensitive skin.

*Shea butter is soothing.

*Shea butter eases inflammation.

*Shea butter makes you look younger.

*Shea butter won't clog your pores.

So, the real question is: What's the difference between unrefined and refined Shea Butter?

It is a fairly simple answer:

Unrefined shea butter simply means it is extracted and prepared without the use of chemicals or preservatives. That means it is produced the same way African people have been doing it for centuries. This really counts, because only unrefined shea butter keeps all of its natural healing properties. Unrefined shea butter maintains its nutty scent, beige color and its healing properties.

On the other hand, refined shea butter has usually been extracted with hexane or other petroleum solvents and some antioxidants or preservatives may also have been added. Unfortunately, the amazing shea butter moisturizing and healing properties are significantly reduced or completely removed in this process. Refined shea butter has been chemically altered to remove shea butters natural scent, is bleach white in color and retains only a small portion of its natural healing properties. The end result of refinement is an odorless, white butter that may be aesthetically appealing, but lacks the true moisturizing, healing, and nutritive properties of true traditional shea butter.

Jake's Soap Basin only uses unrefined plant butters (shea, cocoa, mango). We sacrifice the ability to scent our butters with all of the amazing essentials, in order for our products to maintain the most natural nutrients.