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Shea Nuts

FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS / nutty · creamy · musky

Shea Nuts

Category	FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS
Subcategory	nutty · creamy · musky
Origin
Volatility	Base Note
Botanical	Vitellaria paradoxa
Appearance	Ivory to yellowish solid butter (raw) — light yellow liquid when melted
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast
Pyramid	Base

Shea nuts are the seeds of the shea tree, known for their rich oil used in perfumery and cosmetics.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Shea nuts have a warm, nutty aroma that is subtly rich and creamy. The scent has a soft, buttery quality, like toasted nuts. This gentle scent can carry feelings of warmth and indulgence.

Scent Evolution

The aroma of shea nuts can be compared to that of soft caramel or lightly roasted almonds, with a hint of earthiness that grounds its sweetness. This complexity makes it an excellent base note in perfumery, where it rounds out and enhances other more volatile top and heart notes.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Initially, shea nuts present a warm, nutty scent with a creamy undertone.

After a few hours

After a few hours, the nuttiness deepens, revealing a rich, buttery aroma.

After a few days

On a blotter after 24 hours, the scent becomes softer and more rounded, with lingering hints of warmth.

The Full Story

Shea nuts come from the shea tree, or Vitellaria paradoxa, native to West Africa. This tree can live for more than 300 years and produces fruit that resembles a small plum. Inside this fruit lies the valuable nut, which is rich in oil. The harvesting of shea nuts is an important economic activity for many communities in the region, where the nuts are traditionally collected and processed by hand. The oil extracted from these nuts has been used for centuries in African culture for cooking, skin care, and medicinal purposes.

Origin and Production

In perfumery, shea nut oil is valued for emollient properties and It can nourish the skin. It appears in a base in various fragrance formulations. Shea nut oil has a low comedogenic rating, meaning it does not clog pores.

Chemistry and Scent Profile

Shea nuts have a significant impact on sustainability and fair trade, as many producers are women's cooperatives that ensure fair wages and community development. In this way, the use of shea in perfumery contributes to beautiful scents and supports social initiatives. Shea nuts exemplify how natural ingredients can be ethically sourced while, giving rich benefits in fragrance and skincare applications.

Did You Know?

This note in Première Peau. Rose Monotone. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Did you know that shea nuts can take up to 15 years to produce their first crop? The longevity of the shea tree contributes to its ecological significance.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Cold pressing

Molecular Formula	Complex mixture — Oleic acid C₁₈H₃₄O₂, Stearic acid C₁₈H₃₆O₂
CAS Number	91080-23-8 (Butyrospermum parkii butter)
Botanical Name	Vitellaria paradoxa
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	Shea fruit, Karité nuts
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Appearance	Ivory to yellowish solid butter (raw) — light yellow liquid when melted
Melting Point	32–42 °C

In Perfumery

In perfumery, she a nuts is a base note, giving soft, creamy foundation that supports other fragrance elements. They works with floral, woody, and gourmand notes, improving richness of compositions. Shea nut oil's emollient properties also help to fix other fragrance ingredients, so that longevity and depth in the overall scent profile. Its ability to blend smoothly with other materials makes it useful material in both niche and mainstream fragrances.