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Shea Butter

FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS  /  nutty · creamy · musky
Shea Butter
Shea Butter perfume ingredient
CategoryFRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS
Subcategorynutty · creamy · musky
Origin
VolatilityBase Note
BotanicalVitellaria paradoxa
AppearanceIvory to yellowish soft solid (butter) at room temperature
Odor StrengthLow
Producing CountriesWest Africa (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali), East Africa (Uganda)
PyramidBase

Shea butter is a rich, creamy fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, known for its moisturizing properties.

  1. Scent
  2. The Full Story
  3. Fun Fact
  4. Extraction & Chemistry
  5. In Perfumery

Scent

Shea butter has a warm, creamy scent that is subtly nutty and slightly sweet. Its aroma is similar to of roasted nuts, enveloping the senses in a comforting embrace. The scent is not overpowering but rather soft and inviting.

Scent Evolution

When incorporated into fragrances, shea butter can enhance the overall olfactory experience by supports richness. The buttery aroma melds beautifully with floral notes, adding a velvety texture, while also grounding sweeter gourm and elements, creating a balanced and balanced scent profile.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Immediately

Initially, shea butter presents a warm, creamy scent with a subtle nuttiness.
After a few hours

After a few hours

After a few hours, the nutty aroma softens, blending seamlessly with other fragrance notes.
After a few days

After a few days

After 24 hours, the scent remains a soft, comforting base, enhancing the overall fragrance experience.

The Full Story

Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the shea tree, primarily found in West Africa. This rich ingredient has been used for centuries in various cultures for its skin and hair benefits. The shea tree, known scientifically as Vitellaria paradoxa, produces a fruit that contains seeds, which are processed to extract the rich butter. Traditionally, the extraction process involves sun-drying the nuts, roasting them, and then grinding them into a paste, which is mixed with water and churned to separate the fat.

Origin and Production

In perfumery, she a butter is a base for many fragrances and as a rich emollient. Its rich, creamy texture provides a smooth applicati on and enhances the longevity of scents on the skin. Shea butter is known for its moisturizing properties and skin-soothing abilities.

Chemistry and Scent Profile

The significance of she a butter in perfumery extends beyond its functional benef its. It carries a subtle, nutty arom a that complements a variety of fragrance compositions. Its ability to works with both floral and gourm and notes makes it a useful material in the creati on of well-rounded fragrances. The sustainable sourcing of she a butter has made it a favorite among eco-conscious perfumers, further enhancing its appeal in the luxury fragrance market.

This note in Première Peau. Insuline Safrine. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Did You Know?

Did you know?
Shea butter is also called 'Women's Gold' in West Africa.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Cold pressing and traditional processing

Molecular FormulaComplex mixture — major triglycerides of stearic (C₁₈H₃₆O₂) and oleic (C₁₈H₃₄O₂) acids
CAS Number91080-23-8
Botanical NameVitellaria paradoxa
IFRA StatusNo known restrictions
SynonymsKarité, Butyrospermum parkii
Physical Properties
Odor StrengthLow
AppearanceIvory to yellowish soft solid (butter) at room temperature
Specific Gravity0.890 to 0.920 @ 40 °C
Melting Point32 to 45 °C

In Perfumery

In perfumery, she a butter is used as a base note because of its rich, creamy texture and moisturizing properties. It enhances the longevity of fragrances and helps to fix more volatile notes, allowing for a more balanced scent experience. Shea butter works with floral, woody, and gourm and notes, making it a useful material in creating complex fragrance profiles. Its ability to soften and smoothen the overall scent makes it a favorite among perfumers aiming for a rich finish.

From the raw to the worn

This is what it becomes.