Dear Renee,
Do you have an opinion on refined vs. unrefined shea butter? I notice you use refined; what led you to that decision? Does shea butter have a smell?
Thank you, Katie
I have experimented with unrefined shea butter several times, and I keep coming back to the same conclusion:
1. The odor of raw, unrefined shea butter is very heavy; some describe it as "smokey" - I would say it smells more like burnt rubber and the smell does not go away when added to the other ingredients. The natural scent of unrefined shea butter is quite strong, and customers do not like it.
2. Unrefined shea butter requires extra stability to keep the texture smooth. The potential for graininess in the finished product is much higher with unrefined shea butter. Unrefined shea butter = grainy product. If you make your own products and want to make sure your unrefined shea butter won't leave you with a grainy end result, try the suggestions in this post: http://shearadiance.typepad.com/shea_radiance/eliminate-grains-from-unrefined-shea-butter/
The process my supplier uses to refine the butter involves naturally extracting it from the shea nut and filtering out any impurities. This results in a creamy, off-white color and extremely pure product. We don't have issues with graininess and the shea butter performs well in all of our recipes. We haven't found that the healing properties of the shea butter we use are diminished because of the careful refining process.
That said, if you prefer to make your own ingredients using a raw, unrefined shea butter, we do recommend the shea butter from this store: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D9NV2D4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Naturally Refined Shea Butter Product
The MadeOn product made with the most amount of shea butter and makes up 95% of the overall product is Simply Shea Facial Emollient. Find it here: Simply Shea Facial Emollient for the Face
Ready to learn more about shea butter? Let's go!
What’s the Difference Between Refined and Unrefined Shea Butter?
Let’s start with a quick explanation. Unrefined shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree with minimal processing and no filtering of color, scent, or impurities. Refined shea butter undergoes an additional step to remove its strong scent, color, and sometimes impurities, although not all refining processes are the same.
At MadeOn, we use naturally refined shea butter, meaning it's refined without harsh chemicals or solvents. This gives us a smooth, neutral product that’s safe and pleasant for sensitive skin and noses.
Why We Choose Naturally Refined Shea Butter (Not Chemically Processed)
Not all refined shea butter is created equal. Many commercial brands refine shea using hexane or other chemical solvents—a method that strips nutrients and introduces synthetic residues.
We specifically source naturally refined shea butter, which uses steam and natural clay filters to remove the strong nutty scent and dark color. This process does not involve chemical solvents, and it retains the nourishing qualities of shea without introducing anything questionable.
A Cleaner, Milder Shea Butter Scent for Sensitive Noses
As I explained above, unrefined shea has a naturally strong, smoky, sometimes nutty scent, one that not everyone finds pleasant.
Because shea butter is also edible, my husband tried popping popcorn to try the flavor. It had a smoky flavor. Side note: in Ghana, where the shea nut grows, it's common to cook with shea butter. For us, it would take getting used to the flavor and scent, just like coconut oil cooking would be for some people.
For those with fragrance sensitivities, this can be overwhelming, even when it's "natural."
Our naturally refined shea butter is gently deodorized, making it nearly scent-free - ideal for customers with sensitive skin or smell sensitivities, or for those who prefer unscented skincare. Plus, it doesn’t interfere with any essential oils or other natural scents we may add to our products.
A Smoother Texture That’s Easier to Work With
Refined shea butter offers a smoother, creamier texture than its unrefined counterpart, which can feel gritty or grainy depending on its storage and processing conditions.
For products like our Simply Shea Facial Emollient and Beesilk Lotion Bars, a smooth finish is essential—both for application and consistency. Naturally refined shea butter ensures every batch feels silky-smooth and absorbs beautifully into the skin.
In the early days of MadeOn Skin Care, we tested the ratios of shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax extensively and found that too much shea butter in our Beesilk bars left the product sticky. Too much coconut oil and it was greasy. Too much beeswax and the bars were too hard. The perfect ratio of the three ingredients goes into our lotion bars to make them easy to apply and long-lasting.
Shelf-Stable and Clean for Long-Term Use
Unrefined shea butter may contain natural impurities like plant matter or moisture, which can shorten its shelf life or cause it to spoil more quickly, especially in warm climates.
By using naturally refined shea butter, we get the clean, filtered base we need to create products with longer shelf lives and better stability, without the need to add synthetic preservatives.
Our Commitment: Safe, Simple, Effective
We believe skincare should be pure, simple, and effective. That’s why we chose a version of shea butter that’s both clean and gentle - refined naturally to support skin health without the drawbacks of raw shea butter or the harshness of chemically processed alternatives.
Here's why Shea Butter is so good for the face:
Simply Shea Facial Emollient:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I used to use facial cleanser, toner, and a TON of moisturizing cream, but ever since switching to Simply Shea I've noticed that I only need a very little bit and my skin is glowing." -Jen
Why is shea butter so good for your face? When your face feels "tight" from dryness or your skin begins to thin, it's time for daily shea butter treatment. Simply Shea Facial Emollient is a perfect emollient for your dry facial skin.