Our East African Shea Butter Vitelliaria nilotica is cold pressed, unrefined and ORGANIC! It's unique fatty acid composition makes it a suitable emollient for many skin-care applications, such as baby-care products, massage creams, make-up, and similar products.

Suggested use at 5-10% in the oil phase although we use this at 100% all the time.

This Butter is Fair Trade

Our Shea Nilotica is purchased from an organization who supports and affirms Fair Trade, but the organization does not belong to the Fair Trade Federation because doing so would reduce significantly the funds they can pass directly to the women's cooperative with whom they work in Uganda.  The nuts are sourced from organically grown trees and harvested by the 1600 member women's cooperative who are paid fair trade prices 25 - 50% above the rates women earn in the local markets.  The shea butter nuts are cold-pressed without any chemicals, and the butter is filtered and packaged into sterile containers for shipment to us.  We repackage it in our warehouse without further processing.

Our Organic Nilotica Shea Butter (Vitellaria nilotica), is a highly nourishing ingredient that is remarkably effective in healing dry and cracked skin, eczema, psoriasis and sun damaged skin. Its high content of non-saponifiables and unique fatty acid profile gives it the ability to replenish lipds and retain the elasticity of the skin. Organic Nilotica Shea Butter helps combat the signs of aging and can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It moisturizes the lips and repairs brittle, damaged hair. Organic Nilotica Shea Butter may also help to protect the skin against the damaging effects of the sun while repairing cellular degeneration.

Organic Nilotica Shea Butter is a noteworthy anti-inflammatory and is a beneficial ingredient in formulations intended to reduce swelling and ease muscular aches and pains. Organic Nilotica Shea Butter (Vitellaria nilotica) is produced in Northern Uganda. It is far superior in texture, nutritive value and aroma than shea butter produced in West Africa. Nilotica Shea offers a significantly higher content of olein, a glyceride of oleic acid. Organic Nilotica Shea Butter is softer and creamier than West African Shea Butter, and it is more readily absorbed into the skin and hair. This butter also possesses a lighter, more pleasant aroma than West African Shea Butter.

Our Organic Nilotica Shea Butter (Vitellaria nilotica) is 100% natural and certified NOP organic. It is produced in a manner that uses newly developed technology to carefully process the butter without the use of chemicals. We ensure that our procurement methods do not harm the environment or the valuable shea trees. Important Notes: Because Nilotica Shea Butter is a soft butter, it is more sensitive to temperature changes during transit. It may melt and re-harden. If it re-hardens, you may notice an inconsistent or gritty texture. Simply remelt and cool the butter as explained below: Like West African Shea Butter, Nilotica Shea Butter can crystallize and seem grainy if it is not properly melted and then quickly cooled. To melt shea butter, heat it at 175° F for 20 minutes using a double boiler. Then, pour it into your desired packaging and allow it to cool in the refrigerator. It may not solidify properly if allowed to cool at room temperature.

Shelf Life and Storage Information for Our Products and Ingredients

Finished Products - generally don't need to be refrigerated as they are preserved, but you can refrigerate them to extend their shelf life. The shelf life for most products is 9-12 months. Vitamin C Serum(s) and VitaResurface products should continually be refrigerated to extend their shelf life.
Sample Sizes - do have a shorter shelf life (generally 3-6 months), and items in jars can dry up quicker than this if the lid is not tightened well enough (Vitamin C Serums - use within 90 days).

Please Keep Your Products Out of Humidity, Heat, Direct Light and in a Dark Cabinet When Possible 

Exfoliating Acid - products have a shelf life of 9-12 months. The only things we don't suggest refrigerating are the Mandelic Acid Serums or Salicylic Acid Serums, as they can crystallize in the refrigerator. If this happens, you can set the product into a hot water bath to see if the crystals will dissolve.

Additional Items That Require Refrigeration and/or Kept in the Dark

Hydrosols and Distillates - remove 1 ounce of hydrosol and add it to a separate, sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator.
Carrier and Exotic Oils - generally refrigerate all carrier oils, although some very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take the oil out, warm it up at room temperature, and it should liquefy. If not, set the bottle in a hot water bath and occasionally shake the bottle, which will hopefully turn into a liquid. Some oils, like coconut cream and jojoba oil, have a super long shelf life.    

Refrigeration of The Following Ingredients is Not Necessary, But it Won't hurt

Essential Oils - essential oils are best stored in a cool, dark place.   
Co2 Extracts - these should continually be refrigerated.
Butters - we suggest refrigerating our "skincare" butters. You can remove
what you need and keep the rest in the fridge.
Clays - keep in a dry, dark place. Shelf life is at least 2 years.
Herbs All herbs <i>(whole or ground)</i> should be kept in a dark, cool, and dry location.
Herbal (liquid) Extracts are created using grain alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents (properties) from each herb, root, trunk, leaf, and flower. They have a shelf life of 3-5 years.
They can be stored in the refrigerator or a dark, dry place.
Other Raw Ingredients - such as Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc., will all have different shelf lives.

Shipping Transit Note:
Some customers have asked whether products can be affected by time in transit, especially during warmer months. Our products are formulated and preserved to remain stable during normal shipping times and should not spoil simply from being in transit.

That said, if you are concerned about heat exposure, you are welcome to add an ice pack to your order for extra peace of mind. Click here to add an ice pack.