We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Cosmetic

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Karite Butter?

By J.S. Metzker Erdemir
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 34,470
Share

Karite butter, also called shea butter, is an oil extracted from the fruit of the karite tree. This oil is used as a skin moisturizer in many cosmetic products like lotion, soap, lip balm, and skin cream. Karite butter is rich in vitamins A and E, and it has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

The karite tree is native to the savannahs of western and central Africa. Although the trees aren't cultivated, they are widely used for food and cosmetics by the native people of those regions. Most shea butter nuts are exported for processing, but some Fair Trade companies are working to keep the production of karite butter products in African villages to protect the local economies. In general, it is women who do the hard work of karite butter extraction and preparation.

Karite butter is traditionally made by hand. After the small nuts are picked from the trees, they are cracked open. The flesh is removed and the seed or nut is dried and roasted. The nut is pounded into a paste and mixed with water, then kneaded by hand. The coagulated oil is separated from the water then boiled to separate it from the nut residue. The resulting white or yellow oil is left to harden, then formed into balls for export. It takes around 20 hours to produce 2.2 pounds (1kg) of oil.

Shea oil is rich in stearic and oleic fatty acids. It doesn't saponify in the soap-making process, which leaves the oils free to moisturize and protect skin. For this reason, it is used in shampoos to repair damaged hair and reduce dandruff. It can also be used a cleanser for people sensitive skin, eczema, or other inflammations.

In addition to moisturizing, karite butter also protects and helps heal skin. The high fat content makes it an effective and soothing salve for minor cuts and burns, and it is very effective in treating chapped lips, feet, and hands. It also contains cinnamic acid, a chemical that blocks some ultraviolet rays from the sun. When the pure butter is applied to the hands or face, it takes awhile to soak in so it provides a barrier against irritation from wind, cold, and irritation from friction and harsh soaps and detergents.

Shea butter is sold in its pure form, or it can be used as an additive. There are three commercial grades, with Grade A as the purest form. Grades B and C are refined forms, and are generally extracted in factories using hexane or other chemicals.

Share
BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By tigers88 — On Sep 01, 2011

I brought back some African soap from a recent trip to Kenya. It literally says on the label "African soap"

I mostly bought it because I loved the way it smelled. I bought it from a little market where they had all kinds of local soaps, lotions and cosmetics. After reading this article I wonder if it has karite butter in it?

By gravois — On Aug 31, 2011

I like to keep some shea butter around for when someone in the family gets a sunburn. It really seems to soothe the heat and it helps to re-moisturize the skin. I know that the few times I've been without it and had to deal with sunburns the other products don't seem to work as well. I also like that it is an all natural way to be healed.

By chivebasil — On Aug 30, 2011

When I was pregnant I was really worried about getting stretch marks. I have had a few girl friends who have had terrible experiences with them and I didn't want my pregnancy to mark my body for the rest of my life.

A friend suggested that I use karite butter from the minute I started showing. I bought some online and committed to religiously buttering up my belly once a day. I made it through the whole pregnancy without a single mark.

I can't say for sure that it was because of the butter. Maybe if I had used nothing at all I still would have not gotten stretch marks. But whatever the cause I'm happy about it. I think we are going to try for baby number 2 and I will definitely be getting more karite butter.

Share
https://www.beautyanswered.com/what-is-karite-butter.htm
Copy this link
BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.