At Lickskillet Soap Co., we believe in using high-quality, natural ingredients to create handcrafted soaps that nourish and condition the skin. One of our favorite ingredients is shea butter, a rich, plant-based butter that has been used for centuries in skincare for its hydrating, softening, and conditioning properties.
But what makes shea butter so special? In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into its origins, composition, and benefits, and how it enhances our handmade goat milk soaps.🧴💛
🌳 Where Does Shea Butter Come From?
Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the Shea (Karité) tree, which grows in the savannas of West Africa. The trees take 15 to 30 years to mature, and they can live up to 200 years! The butter is extracted from the fat-rich kernels inside the nuts, which are harvested, dried, roasted, and ground into a smooth paste.
The traditional extraction process has been passed down for generations, with many women’s cooperatives in Africa still producing handcrafted, unrefined shea butter today.
🧴 What’s Inside Shea Butter? (Nutritional Profile & Composition)
Shea butter is packed with natural compounds that make it an excellent ingredient for skincare. Here’s what gives shea butter its rich, creamy texture and skin-conditioning properties:
🌿 Essential Fatty Acids (Moisture & Barrier Support)
✔ Oleic Acid (40-60%) – Helps keep skin moisturized and supple
✔ Stearic Acid (20-50%) – Improves lather and texture in soap, creating a smooth, creamy bar
✔ Linoleic Acid (3-11%) – A lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that helps balance the skin ✔ Palmitic Acid (2-9%) – Enhances skin’s moisture barrier
🌞 Naturally Occurring Vitamins (Nourishment & Protection)
✔ Vitamin A – Supports the skin’s natural renewal process
✔ Vitamin E – A well-known antioxidant that helps keep skin looking healthy and vibrant
✔ Vitamin F – Not a true vitamin but a combination of essential fatty acids (linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that help maintain skin's hydration
🛡️Natural Antioxidants & Plant Compounds
✔ Triterpenes – Found in shea butter, these natural compounds support skin’s elasticity
✔ Cinnamic Acid Esters – A naturally occurring component that helps maintain the skin’s balance
✔ Phytosterols – Found in plant-based butters, they help the skin retain moisture
🌟 The Difference Between Unrefined & Refined Shea Butter
Not all shea butter is created equal! There are different grades of shea butter depending on how it's processed:
🥑 Unrefined Shea Butter (What We Use!)
✔ Minimal processing to retain its natural vitamins, antioxidants, and beneficial fats
✔ Creamy, slightly nutty aroma
✔ Off-white to light yellow color
✔ More conditioning and nutrient-rich than refined shea butter
🏭 Refined Shea Butter
✔ Processed to remove scent and color
✔ Still contains beneficial fatty acids, but loses some vitamins & natural properties
🚫 Highly Processed or Synthetic Shea Butter
✔ May contain fillers or synthetic ingredients
✔ Lacks the natural vitamins and nutrients of pure shea butter
At Lickskillet Soap Co., we always use high-quality, unrefined shea butter to ensure that our products provide the best possible skincare experience.
💖 🧼Why We Love Shea Butter in Skincare 🧼💖
1️⃣ Deeply Hydrates & Conditions the Skin
Thanks to its high fatty acid content, shea butter moisturizes and conditions the skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and well-nourished. Unlike some heavy moisturizers, shea butter absorbs easily without clogging pores, making it suitable for a variety of skin types.
It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a deeply hydrating skincare experience. Packed with vitamins A and E, shea butter helps enhance the skin’s natural glow, promoting a smoother, more radiant look. It may help skin feel more supple and revitalized, making it a great addition to your daily skincare routine.
2️⃣ Enhances Handmade Soap with a Rich, Creamy Lather
In handcrafted goat milk soap, shea butter adds:
✔ A luxurious, conditioning feel
✔ A creamy lather that feels soft and smooth on the skin
✔ A long-lasting, high-quality bar that won’t dry out quickly
It blends seamlessly with other nourishing oils like our goat milk, olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil, creating a silky, creamy texture that feels indulgent and pampering.
3️⃣ Supports the Skin’s Natural Moisture Barrier
Shea butter is rich in fatty acids like oleic, stearic, and linoleic acid, which help create a protective barrier to lock in moisture, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth, and replenished. Shea butter helps to seal in hydration while allowing the skin to breathe, making it a perfect addition to soap and skincare products that focus on keeping skin balanced and healthy-looking.
4️⃣ Gentle Enough for Daily Use
Known for its gentle, skin-conditioning benefits, shea butter is a favorite for those with sensitive skin. It helps skin feel calm, soft, and comforted without clogging pores, making it a versatile addition to any skincare routine. Unlike some synthetic moisturizers, shea butter is known for being gentle and versatile. It’s commonly used in:
✔ Cold-process soaps (like our handcrafted goat milk soap)
✔ Lotion bars
✔ Massage butter bars
✔ Lip balms
✔ Lotions and creams
💆♀️How to Incorporate Shea Butter into Your Routine
🧼 Lickskillet Goat Milk Soaps – Enjoy the rich, creamy lather that leaves skin feeling clean and pampered.
🧴 Lux Body Cream– Our handcrafted, concentrated body cream deeply hydrates for silky-smooth skin.
🛀 Lotion Scrub Bars – Exfoliate while moisturizing for ultra-soft skin.
💋 Goat Milk Lip Balms – Lock in hydration for soft, kissable lips.
🛍️ Experience the Luxury of Shea Butter!
Want to upgrade your skincare routine with the nourishing power of shea butter? At Lickskillet Soap Co., we believe in artistically crafted skincare with nature’s finest ingredients. Shea butter is a staple in our formulations, delivering a luxurious, nourishing experience in every product.
📌 Do you love shea butter in your skincare? Tell us in the comments!
#IngredientOfTheMonth #SheaButter #LickskilletSoapCo #GoatMilkSoap #HandmadeSoap #NourishYourSkin #NaturalMoisture #SkinCareNaturally #LuxurySkincare
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