Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 45

Thread: Shea butter: two kinds

  1. #1
    Trying my patience Idun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Norway
    Age
    57
    Posts
    1,065
    Type
    1b/F/M/ii

    Question Shea butter: two kinds

    Did you know there are two kinds of shea butter derived from two different varieties of the tree? Apparently the eastern kind (Vitellaria nilotica) is produced only in Uganda and Sudan and is softer, melts at a lower temperature, has a higher absorbtion rate and smells less strongly than the western kind (Vitellaria Paradoxa), that is produced in Ghana among others.

    Did any of you try both varieties, and did you experience the claimed superiority of eastern shea butter?

    (I did not find a thread about this, but if there is one already, please let me know )
    :: 1b/F/M/ii :: Classic ::
    Hair goal: Long healthy natural silver hair
    Starting point: Corona pandemic 2020



  2. #2
    Member Gulbahar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,542
    Type
    1a/1b/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    Quote Originally Posted by Idun View Post
    Did you know there are two kinds of shea butter derived from two different varieties of the tree? Apparently the eastern kind (Vitellaria nilotica) is produced only in Uganda and Sudan and is softer, melts at a lower temperature, has a higher absorbtion rate and smells less strongly than the western kind (Vitellaria Paradoxa), that is produced in Ghana among others.

    Did any of you try both varieties, and did you experience the claimed superiority of eastern shea butter?

    (I did not find a thread about this, but if there is one already, please let me know )
    I've tried both and I prefer the shea nilotica. It smells like vanilla (although I'm quite sure this is because it's been macerated with vanilla) and is softer than the western kind. The main difference between the two seems to be the higher content of oleic acid and lower content of stearic acid in the nilotica.
    The nilotica is lighter on my skin and feels less waxy than the western shea. I like both kinds, but for different reasons.

  3. #3
    Trying my patience Idun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Norway
    Age
    57
    Posts
    1,065
    Type
    1b/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    Thank you Gulbahar! I just ordered some shea nilotica to use both on skin and hair. I have never tried pure shea before, so that was perhaps a good choice.

    I read the shea paradoxa contains more vitamin A and is better if you want to use it on scars. Perhaps this variety is also better for protecting skin (and hair?) during winter?
    :: 1b/F/M/ii :: Classic ::
    Hair goal: Long healthy natural silver hair
    Starting point: Corona pandemic 2020



  4. #4
    Member Gulbahar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,542
    Type
    1a/1b/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    Quote Originally Posted by Idun View Post
    Thank you Gulbahar! I just ordered some shea nilotica to use both on skin and hair. I have never tried pure shea before, so that was perhaps a good choice.

    I read the shea paradoxa contains more vitamin A and is better if you want to use it on scars. Perhaps this variety is also better for protecting skin (and hair?) during winter?
    The western shea contains more vitamin E than the nilotica. I don't know about vitamin A. For protection I definitely find the western kind much better because it leaves more of a film on my skin. Generally speaking the western type is my winter shea and the nilotica is my summer shea.
    Last edited by Gulbahar; June 12th, 2010 at 05:47 AM.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    I would love to hear from all of you the brands of shea butter you purchase. I've only tried one brand and it doesn't state what kind of shea butter they use.

    Thanks!

  6. #6
    Member Gulbahar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,542
    Type
    1a/1b/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    Quote Originally Posted by Silver & Gold View Post
    I would love to hear from all of you the brands of shea butter you purchase. I've only tried one brand and it doesn't state what kind of shea butter they use.

    Thanks!
    I don't buy "brands", I just buy the raw material because I make my own (and my mother's) cosmetics and soaps.
    If your brand doesn't state the exact kind it most certainly is the western shea - the nilotica is more expensive.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    Quote Originally Posted by Gulbahar View Post
    I don't buy "brands", I just buy the raw material because I make my own (and my mother's) cosmetics and soaps.
    If your brand doesn't state the exact kind it most certainly is the western shea - the nilotica is more expensive.
    What is your source for buying the raw shea butter? I guess I worded my inquiry incorrectly. I was wondering where people purchased their unrefined shea butter. I wasn't looking for a brand so much as a source.

  8. #8
    Member Gulbahar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,542
    Type
    1a/1b/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    Quote Originally Posted by Silver & Gold View Post
    What is your source for buying the raw shea butter? I guess I worded my inquiry incorrectly. I was wondering where people purchased their unrefined shea butter. I wasn't looking for a brand so much as a source.
    I think Garden of Wisdom would be a good place to buy both kinds of shea. But as I live in Europe I obviously use other shops and don't know much about the US sellers. I'm sure there are plenty more.

  9. #9
    Member ButterCream's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    288
    Length
    Short/27,4/TB:)
    Type
    1a/1b/F/i/ii

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    I am going to try this shea thingy, and I will be ordering from Coastals scents!
    They are using Fair Trade shea, so I want to support that.

    I have ordered micas and brushes from there, and I am super happy with them.
    And they ship quick too, it only take a wheek and a half to get my stuff shipped to Norway

  10. #10
    Member Gulbahar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,542
    Type
    1a/1b/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Shea butter: two kinds

    Quote Originally Posted by ButterCream View Post
    I am going to try this shea thingy, and I will be ordering from Coastals scents!
    They are using Fair Trade shea, so I want to support that.
    Fair Trade is definitely a good thing, but Coastal scents has only the western variant.

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •