Emi and Ben

Shea butter is fat that is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. It’s solid at warm temperatures and has an off-white or ivory colour.

Shea trees are native to West Africa and grow naturally in the wild in the dry savannah from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east. It also grows in over 21 countries across the African continent.  

Emi and Ben body butters use unrefined shea butter which I source from Nigeria. I work with a local woman on the ground, who I buy directly from in bulk, thus supporting her small enterprise which enables her to support her small family.

There are two types of shea butter - unrefined and refined shea butter. Unrefined shea butter is shea butter in its most purest form. It is extracted and prepared without the use of chemicals or preservatives. In my opinion, this is the best type of shea butter you can use for your body and is the only shea butter which I use in my products. 

Refined shea butter has been chemically altered to remove the shea butter natural nutty scent, is bleached white, which significantly reduces it’s natural healing properties.

Shea butter can vary in it’s smell and texture depending on where it has originated from and the process it’s been through to extract the fat from the nut which turns it into the shea butter we all know and love. 

I love Nigerian shea butter for it's smooth, creamy texture and natural earthy smell and this is the shea butter I use in my body butters. 

Shea butter melts at body temperature, which is great as it is mainly used within the cosmetics industry for skin (body butters, lip balms) and hair related products. Some may not know it is edible and is used in food preparation in some African countries. Although I’ve never tried it in my food - might be something new I do try!

Where do I start?! Due to its high content of fatty acids and it’s naturally occurring content of Vitamin A and E, shea butter is loved by many. It has anti-inflammatory and natural healing properties, so once it’s soaked into your skin it will leave you feeling smooth and moisturised. Like many, you’ll probably won’t be able to stop the urge of continually running your hands up and down your body, due to just how soft your skin feels and be rest assured, you’ll feel moisturised for hours after application.