Ingredient Highlight: Shea Butter - Natures Ultimate Curl Nourisher

🌿 Ingredient Highlight: Shea Butter – Nature’s Ultimate Curl Nourisher

Shea butter is one of nature’s most treasured moisturisers, with a history stretching back thousands of years. Sourced from the nuts of the Vitellaria paradoxa tree, which grows across the savannah regions of West and Central Africa, shea butter has been used for centuries in beauty rituals, cooking, and even medicine. Historical records suggest that ancient Egypt valued shea butter so highly it was transported in clay jars for Cleopatra’s personal use. Known locally as “women’s gold” it has long provided income for women who harvest and process it by hand - a tradition still alive today.

Raw vs. Refined Shea – What’s the Difference?

Not all shea butter is created equal, and the difference between raw and refined forms matters for your hair.

• Raw Shea Butter is unrefined and extracted without high heat or harsh chemicals. It retains its natural ivory colour, nutty aroma, and most importantly, its full profile of vitamins A, E, and F, plus essential fatty acids. This nutrient richness makes it more effective for deep moisturisation and protection.
• Refined Shea Butter undergoes processing to remove colour and scent. While this creates a milder, odour-free butter that can blend seamlessly into products, the refining process can strip away some nutrients and reduce its potency.

Which is better?

For haircare, raw shea butter is the star, it delivers maximum nourishment, strengthens strands, and locks in moisture without compromising its natural benefits. In premium formulations, a high percentage of raw shea ensures curls get the deepest care possible.

Why Shea Butter Loves Your Curls

Shea butter is a multitasker for curly and textured hair because of its unique composition:

• Deep Moisture Lock - Shea is rich in triglycerides, which form a lightweight barrier over each strand, sealing in hydration and preventing dryness.
• Damage Repair - Its vitamin A and E content helps restore elasticity and smooth frizz, protecting hair from breakage and split ends.
• Scalp Care - Anti-inflammatory properties soothe dryness, itchiness, and irritation, supporting a healthier scalp environment.

How It Works for Different Curl Patterns

• Loose Wavy Hair - A touch of shea in leave-in products smooths frizz and adds shine without weighing hair down. Lightweight application is key for definition.
• Curly Hair - Shea delivers the rich moisture curls crave, enhancing bounce and elasticity while helping each coil keep its shape for longer.
• Tight, Coily Hair - The intense hydration from raw shea penetrates the cuticle, softening strands, reducing shrinkage, and making detangling easier. It’s particularly effective in creams, butters, and deep conditioners.

At Shedid & Parrish, we choose sustainably sourced raw shea butter in our formulations, ensuring your curls benefit from its full nourishing power, just as nature intended. From ancient African beauty traditions to your modern-day hair ritual, shea butter remains a timeless ally for strong, soft, and beautifully defined curls.

Read more here on our collaboration with Kolo Nafaso, a female co-operative for end to end sourcing for the Shea we use.