The Butter Breakdown

WE’D LIKE TO PROPOSE A TOAST TO OUR FOUR BUTTERS. 

Too much?

We’ll churn it down a bit. Here’s a fact spread of our butters, so you can make the best choice for your individual needs.

Each butter has its own special set of strengths! Some may surprise you, and some may inspire your next project. Whatever the case, stick around for a decent slice of knowledge.

(SORRY, WE’RE ON A ROLL.)

Let’s start with the wild card. Mango butter?

Believe it or not, there’s a lot of oils packed in that juicy fruit. The thing is, they’re all in the kernel.

The stone of the fruit gets pressed, and what comes out is a soft yellow oil chock full of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and several fatty acids.

It has a surprisingly mild scent for being mango-related, so it’s a great option for people who don’t like fragrance-heavy products.

Key Differences

  • More antioxidants and vitamins than our other oils

  • Greater potential for healing bug bites, sun damage, and minor cuts
  • Absorbs easily, does not leave a greasy feeling
  • Harder to melt than shea or cocoa butters

Uses

  • Chapstick

  • Body bars

  • Deodorant alternative

  • After-sun balm

  • Bug bite remedy

Mmm, chocolate! Well, almost.

Cocoa butter is one of the by-products extracted from the cocoa bean. That’s the fat, and the leftover dry stuff is the cocoa powder - where the strongest chocolate flavor resides.

(Fun fact: The percentages on natural dark chocolate candy correspond to how much of the concentrated powder is in the bar. The more powder, the stronger the flavor.)

Cocoa butter is mostly fatty acids, but does contain Vitamin K and Vitamin E. It is the firmest of the four butters when at room temperature, so it must be warmed in order to be scoopable.

Key Differences

  • Heavier oils may not be ideal for acne-prone skin, but great for chronic dry skin or eczema

  • Well-known for its ability to reduce the appearance of stretch marks
  • Very firm at room temperature
  • Strong chocolate smell may not appeal to everyone

Uses

  • Hydrating lotion

  • Spreadable body balm
  • Massage oil
  • Bath bombs

A butter so good we made it twice.

No, seriously, shea butter is pretty magical.

It comes from the nut of the African shea tree, and has been used for centuries as a skin and hair protectant.

Our Ivory Shea Butter contains no added ingredients, but our Yellow Shea Butter contains borututu root extract. We’ll get to why later.

Shea butter is deeply moisturizing because of its blend of complex fatty acids, and contains Vitamin A and Vitamin E. It has a mild scent, though not as mild as mango butter.

Key Differences

  • Non-comedogenic - it won’t clog your pores

  • Creates a moisture-locking barrier on skin and hair
  • Creamy texture, stays solid at room temperature
  • Semi-mild scent

Uses

  • Whipped body butter

  • Combines well with clay to make non-drying soaps
  • Creamy texture perfect for hair wax or pomade
  • Mild scent makes it compatible with any essential oils

Yellow Shea Butter

Back again, but with a new color. Our Yellow Shea Butter contains borututu root extract, which gives it that sunny hue.

Why borututu root? It adds an extra kick of nutrients to the oil, and provides a slight glow when applied to the skin. Borututu root is often ingested in tea, and is thought to cure liver problems.

On the skin, though, it helps to protect against infections and inflammation.

Yellow Shea Butter has the same soft, creamy texture as our Ivory Shea Butter, and is processed exactly the same so no nutrients are lost.

Key Differences

  • Non-comedogenic - it won’t clog your pores

  • Creates a moisture-locking barrier on skin and hair
  • Extra antibacterial properties
  • Non-staining yellow glow

Uses

  • Skin-healing balm

  • Tanning lotion
  • Bug bite relief
  • Mild scent makes it compatible with any essential oils

ARE YOU ENLIGHTENED? YOU BUTTER BE.

(Sorry.)

We hope this clears things up a bit, and inspires you to make an informed choice while shopping for the perfect butter.

No matter which one you choose, you’re guaranteed an all-natural, organic product that’s safe and cruelty-free.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog for cool, customizable recipes and inspiration.

Andrew Beauman