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Home » Blog » DIY Beauty

Refined vs. Unrefined Shea Butter

Published: Dec 5, 2014 Modified: May 7, 2020 by Everblossom Team This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Shea butter is one of my favorite butters to use in my homemade beauty products and medicinals. It's super versatile, very nutrient-dense, and it doesn't cost a lot.

There are three main types of shea butter you can find: yellow, white (refined), and unrefined/raw.

"Yellow shea butter" is probably not actually shea butter - and if it is, it is probably dyed. Most yellow butter marketed as shea butter is actually African butter, which comes from a completely different tree. DuchessGabrielle on YouTube explains the difference. As she explains, African butter is still good for your skin and hair - it's just not shea butter.

I like both refined and unrefined shea for different purposes.

Refined (left) and unrefined (right) shea butter.

Refined shea butter is gorgeous. It's creamy and smooths easily into the skin. It has a lighter odor so it doesn't overpower scented hair care and body butter recipes. It does have a lower nutrient content, though, due to the refining process. I use it in cosmetic, body care, and hair care recipes.refined vs unrefined shea butter

Raw or unrefined shea butter has a "grittier" texture and a creamier color. It also has a stronger nutty, earthy odor. I don't find the odor too unpleasant, but many people do. Raw shea butter has a much higher nutrient content than refined shea butter, and for this reason I use it in hair and skincare for dry skin and in medicinal recipes.

Aren't refined fats BAD?

I certainly don't like to eat refined oils/fats/butters, but when it comes to using them externally, I don't have a problem. I just choose raw butters when I really want to get the most nutrient-dense bang for my buck.

That said, when purchasing refined shea butter it's wise to look for one that is processed without chemicals, but those that are refined using clays and natural minerals.

I buy unrefined shea butter from Mountain Rose Herbs.

I get my refined shea butter from Amazon. 

Have you ever used shea butter to make beauty or health products? What kind do you prefer?

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  1. Dina Eighties

    December 05, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    interesting thanks

    Reply
  2. Kelly Maxwell

    December 05, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    This review was extremely useful, I never realized there was a difference between shea butters.

    Reply
  3. Jorge Granda

    December 05, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    Very interesting information on shea butter, I did not know that there was refined and unrefined shea butter.

    Reply
  4. Lisa Coomer Queen

    December 05, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Never knew there was a difference. Thanks for the info.

    Reply
  5. Kelly

    December 05, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    Great information! I use Shea butter for my lotions and deodorant. I didn't realize there were so many options and pros/cons for each. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Kylie

      December 11, 2014 at 3:04 pm

      I would probably choose refined for a deodorant myself... it would go on smoother.

      Reply
  6. Maria RIzalyn

    December 05, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Very interesting information.

    Reply
  7. John Thuku

    December 06, 2014 at 4:16 am

    Very interesting information. I never knew that.

    Reply
  8. Sania Wasif

    December 06, 2014 at 4:51 am

    You try your best to explain everything clear to your followers 🙂
    Hats off 🙂

    Reply
  9. Paula V

    December 06, 2014 at 8:48 am

    This is very interesting and educating. I have not used either.

    Reply
  10. Trish F

    December 07, 2014 at 12:42 am

    I've never worked with shea butter but I want to. For quite a few years I've been wanting to make my own soap and I know that shea butter is used quite often for it's moisturizing properties. Some day I will get that soap made. Thanks for the information on this great ingredient.

    Reply
  11. Tammy Owens/Botzon

    December 07, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    Thanks good info!

    Reply
  12. Toni Porter

    December 07, 2014 at 11:58 pm

    This is very useful information. I've wanted to try making some of my own bath and body products, and would've never known there was a difference otherwise.

    Reply
  13. Bailey Dexter

    December 08, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I have never tried the Refined shea butter,but sounds so much nicer! I love the shea butter, thanks for the post!

    Reply
    • Kylie

      December 11, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      It's lovely!

      Reply
  14. Michelle

    December 08, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Thanks for the article.

    Reply
  15. Megan Stevens

    May 28, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Thanks, Kylie, this was helpful! <3

    Reply
  16. Dana

    June 01, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    Hi there!! I love this article. I’ve been experimenting with some homemade body butters - and I can’t figure out which type of butters (refined or unrefined) to use - which type do you prefer for each cocoa and Shea for body products?
    1. Cocoa Butter: Refined, or Unrefined
    2. Shea Butter: Refined, or Unrefined
    I also sometimes ship them to some friends or customers, and am always scared to do so because I’m worried the butter might melt. Would sticking to one be better for that (ie: does refined or unrefined Shea/cocoa butter do better in heat without sweating or melting)? Thanks so much. I’m reading over this lol sorry about all this mumbo jumbo. I hope I’m making sense...

    Reply

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