My Favorite Raw Shea Butter

Guest post by: Jordan Klee 

​Shea butter is a natural product with various benefits. Its versatility allows you to use it for health and beauty purposes and DIY cosmetics. When searching for the ideal shea butter, I look for products that satisfy my personal needs. I prefer a shea butter that contains only one ingredient, is 100% unrefined, not too thick in texture, is grade A, organic, and blends well when mixing with other natural products. I personally use shea butter to make a whipped body butter. Therefore, it is necessary that the product contains these components. Out of the raw butters that I have tried, the unrefined ivory shea butter by Better Shea Butter is my favorite.
 
Ingredients

​With so many versions of raw shea butter, I read the labels to ensure that I am purchasing a quality product. Better Shea Butter is my favorite because it is 100% pure shea butter and happens to be vegan-friendly. There are no added chemicals or additives. This benefit is a plus for those who use shea butter for skin care issues such as acne and eczema.
 
How to use

​This product has a nice feel when applied to the skin directly. Some butters are too thick and heavy to mix with other ingredients. I have not had that issue with the Better Shea Butter brand. It also comes with an eBook that provides recipes for skin care. I love how soft and light it is and how it melts easily in my hands. If preparing homemade cosmetics such as lotions, creams, butters, lip balms, or a hair treatment, the consistency of Better Shea Butter makes blending a simple task. Unlike many other shea butter brands, this one comes in a block rather than a jar. I personally prefer this because reaching into a jar to use the product can be messy. When it is time to use the product, I simply slice a chunk off and apply it as needed.
 
Quality

The brand promises quality, handmade shea butter from Ghana that is easy to use. Some of the other products on the market contain additional ingredients that take the purity away from the shea butter. I’ve personally noticed that this product feels more pleasant when applying it straight to the skin. Some other brands are too thick and sit on top of the skin’s surface.
 
Product Features

​Since this shea butter is a natural, organic product, its color can vary from gray, beige and off-white. It does have a slight scent, but it is neither potent or repulsive. Its consistency has a rich texture but is still light enough that it doesn’t leave a residue.
 
Additional Benefits

Some of the other key attributes are that the product has anti-inflammatory properties, contains vitamins A, E and F, relieves severe skin damage, targets common skin problems, protects against environmental exposure, and is safe for everyone, including children.
 
Customer Reviews

​Some of the most common reviews on the product include the light smell, the benefits it provides for natural hair, the fact that it is not greasy, and how a little bit of the product can go a long way. The majority of the Amazon reviews are 4 and 5-star ratings and is a popular search item on the site within its category. Granted, Amazon reviews can be a bit of a seesaw. So it’s best to take them with a grain of salt.
 
How to Store

The product lasts approximately two years after the purchase date. I consider the temperature and humidity levels when storing the product. It should be kept in a cool setting and in its original packaging or a sealable glass container.
 
Purchasing

​I order this product from Amazon. It costs roughly $15 and I receive a 16-oz. bag of the ivory shea butter. In my opinion, many of the other shea butters on the market don’t compare to the quality and benefits the Better Shea Butter offers.
 

​Jordan is the beauty and brains behind Beautifully Alive! She loves eating healthy and trying new recipes.The self-proclaimed Zumba Queen has a passion for beauty products and loves reading new books. She's always down for a DIY project

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