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> Carrier Oil Profiles > Shea Butter
Botanical Name: Butyrospermun parkii
Aroma: Nutty and Fatty.
Texture: Solid but permeable at
room temperature. Leaves an oily/waxy feeling on the skin.
Color: Off-White.
Shelf Life: Up to 2 Years
(Store in airtight container in cool, dry location.)
Notes: Shea Butter is not a carrier
oil, but its natural, beneficial properties make it a lipid
suitable for aromatherapy work.
Shea Butter is highly moisturizing, has a smooth,
creamy texture and can be included in massage blends, lotions, creams
and other natural skin care products.
Shea Butter can become gritty if not melted and
then cooled properly. It must be heated to at least 175degrees F
and then kept heated to that temperature for at least 20 minutes.
If possible, let it cool in the refrigerator. Once it has cooled,
it does not need to be kept in the refrigerator.
A natural constituent of shea butter is
latex (a natural rubber) . If you have an allergy or sensitivity
to latex, avoid shea butter or perform a skin patch text prior to
use.
Important Note: The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete
and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
General Safety Information: Use caution when trying any new ingredient, including carrier oils on the skin or in the hair. Those with nut allergies should consult their medical practitioner before coming into contact with nut oils, butters or other nut products. Do not take any oils internally
without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Safety information can be found by visiting the Safety
Information page. For very in-depth information on oil safety
issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert
Tisserand.
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