east african shea butter nilotica

Shea butter is a solid oil which is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree found only in Africa. It is a natural product that is still produced hand in the villages of West and East Africa. There are two (2) Shea tree species, Vitellaria Parodoxa located in the West Africa which is the source common shea butter available today, and the Nilotic Vitellaria in east Africa, the origin of butter nilotica which is much rarer.

As an ingredient in products for skin care that helps improve the tone and skin elasticity and helps skin look smoother making wrinkles less noticeable. It also helps to even out skin tone and gets rid of rough, scaly, dry skin, making skin softer and more flexible.

What is the difference between crude and refined shea butter?

Bonuses: This butter can not be processed further after cooling, can be filtered or lightly and is still considered "raw". It has all the natural ingredients in white (nutrients, color,) intact, with a smell of earth, filled with smoke, and color pale yellow or cream. It also has the highest concentration of vitamins and nutrients and increased shelf life, lasting about 5 years. However, some find their be unpleasant odor. If the butter fresh and not rancid odor disappears shortly after application to the skin.

Naturally refined: In this process of lard raw shea butter melts and "washed" with water. Melted butter and water mixture is transferred to a vacuum reactor, where air and water vapor removed smell. Then the butter is mixed with diatomaceous earth to remove most of the color before being filtered by pressing through several layers of paper and material. The last step is filtration to remove small particles and impurities. This butter yields which is very pale yellow or white, odorless. Some vitamins and nutrients are lost properties, but the results excellent moisturizing and skin conditioning can still be obtained from the butter. Naturally refined works best for use in products for skin care scented, unscented.

Ultra fine: shea butter is processed with chemical solvents (hexane), produces a range of cosmetic butter is pure white, odorless. However, almost all vitamins and nutrients are lost, and chemical treatment diminishes or destroys all the benefits of natural qualities.

Which is better: oil or refined?

Choosing between raw shea butter or refined is a matter of preference. If the smell of raw shea butter is offensive to you, you may prefer natural or refined nilotica has the mildest flavor and softer texture. Shea butter is fresh that should not have a strong rancid odor, or smell that persists long after the butter has been applied to the skin. Strong odor is a sign that has become rancid butter, has been handled improperly, or is old.

For more information visit shea butter www.sheabutterbyesan.com Esan.

Kim Mujahid is a natural skincare and beauty professional. She has written several articles on the benefits of natural botanicals for beauty and wellness and developed Esan, a line of natural and organic shea butter skin care products. http://www.sheabutterbyesan.com

Nilotica butter and Dr oz says