Shea butter has so many benefits and understanding refined vs unrefined shea butter will help pick the best option for your health goals. It is a go-to solution for many skin, health, and hair health issues. Many studies show that shea butter is great at penetrating the skin and contains 60% fat, making it highly emollient (1). But should you be using refined vs unrefined?
In the simplest way, unrefined shea butter is unaltered. It is in it’s an organic state. Refined shea butter is, well, refined. It is processed to remove the smell, color, and any leftover but from the extraction process (2). When deciding on refined vs unrefined shea butter you will need to determine your preference. Refined shea butter will often provide a smoother consistency and ease of use. Unrefined will have more of the natural attributes and take a bit more effort to use.
Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree. Shea trees are native to West Africa, and most shea butter still comes from that region. It is this unique fatty acid that gives Shea Butter its unparalleled healing properties and makes it much more sought after than other butters like cocoa butter (3).
Shea butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F. Vitamins A and E maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. Known to be a “skin superfood” that supports skin to improve its clarity and approaches issues such as dryness, discolorations, stretch marks, blemishes, dark spots, and wrinkles without clogging pores (4).
While they both have their pros and cons, we want to categorize refined vs unrefined based on health goals. We have outlined each below with more details to help you make the best decision for you.
Refined vs Unrefined Shea Butter for Hair
Many people have problems with their hair becoming brittle or dry. Dry hair develops when your hair doesn’t get or retain enough moisture. This reduces its sheen and can make it appear frizzy and dull. Shea butter can help restore lost moisture in the hair.
Refined Shea Butter for Hair
Pros:
- Lack of color and fragrance ensuring it will be easy to blend through hair and won’t interfere with the smell of other products
- Processing gives it a creamy/lotion-like texture to provide a better application in hair
- Moisturizing properties remain intact.
Cons:
- While still moisturizing, refined shea butter lacks many of the bioactive nutrients (like Vitamins A & E)
- May not provide hair with long term healing benefits that come with the vitamins and nutrients.
- Refined shea butter can come with chemicals and pleasant smells that increase the chance of allergies and/or irritation
Unrefined Shea Butter for Hair
Pros:
- Contains all bioactive nutrients to provide a healthy hair boost. Many of these nutrients are critical for creating the building blocks of hair.
- Contains antioxidants to improve damage caused to hair. Hair must be protected from the ravages of our environment, the sun and of course, harsh chemical treatments and styling practices
- Moisturizing and healing properties remain intact.
Cons:
- Grainy texture can require extra effort to smooth into hair
- Because it is unrefined, molecules are larger and can clog hair pores. This can make it difficult for your hair to become hydrated when using water or other products.
- Strong earthy smell can be unpleasant to some, especially when using in the hair on a daily basis.
Refined vs Unrefined Shea Butter for Skin
Rich in Vitamins A, E and F, Shea Butter is moisturizing, circulation-boosting and anti-inflammatory qualities make it a common solution for skin problems such as dryness, wrinkles, dark spots, discolorations, stretch marks, and blemishes.
Refined Shea Butter for Skin
Pros:
- Melts at body temperature and can easily soak into your skin, creating a smooth and soft barrier that seals in moisture.
- Processing gives it a creamy/lotion-like texture to provide a better application into the skin and a lighter application for all-day wear.
- Moisturizing properties remain intact. Beneath liquid foundation, you provides a smooth texture
Cons:
- While still moisturizing, refined shea butter lacks many of the bioactive nutrients (like Vitamins A & E)
- The fatty acids and oils in shea butter may make applying powdered makeup on top of it difficult.
- Refined shea butter can come with chemicals and pleasant smells that increase the chance of allergies and/or irritation
Unrefined Shea Butter for Skin
Pros:
- Unrefined shea butter is very heavy making it ideal as a nighttime moisturizer since it is heavy and can leave the skin hydrated and smooth in the morning.
- Contains antioxidants and nutrients to improve and prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
- Moisturizing and healing properties make it moisturizing and soothing for the majority of skin types.
Cons:
- Grainy texture can feel rough when trying to use it on the delicate skin on your face.
- Unrefined shea butter is very heavy making it not ideal for those with oily skin. The thickness may clog pores in naturally oily skin, preventing the moisture from being absorbed into the skin. This may increase frequent oil secretion
- Strong earthy smell may not exactly a pleasant thing to smell all day after applying to your face.
When deciding which type to use, refined vs unrefined, what it really comes down to is where you are using it (hair, body, or face), your skin type (oily or normal), allergies, and texture preferences.
Used in hair, unrefined and refined shea butter moisturizes and nourishes from root to the tip, defending against dryness and brittleness. Unrefined can repair, prevent or reduce damage caused by environmental elements or heat styling. Both rapidly penetrates the scalp and offer moisture without leaving a sticky, greasy residue.
Used on the body and skin, Unrefined shea butter’s anti-aging and skin-protecting benefits are known to slow the signs and symptoms of maturing skin by supporting skin elasticity and suppleness. Both boost collagen production and increase circulation while promoting skin cell regeneration. Both have anti-inflammatory properties that can ease joint pain and rheumatism.
If you are looking for something lighter that can drastically improve your hair’s health, check out Batana oil benefits.
If you are looking for a lighter moisturizer that can boost your glow check out Cupuacu butter benefits