#1

Member
Idaho Falls, Idaho
(This post was last modified: 10-22-2018, 10:09 PM by Lipripper660.)
A couple of years back I ran onto a thread where Celestino, our BC brother, was touting unrefined Shea butter as an alternative to aftershave balm.  I tried it and found it to my liking.  In fact it has most frequently become my aftershave routine of choice.  We all know the moisturizing benefits of Shea butter and most of our vendors offer it in at least some of their products.  What I've learned though is that nutty, smoky unrefined Shea works great for so many other things that I have many jars of it in all my kit.  

As a balm it moisturizes like nothing else.  It heals the rare nick quickly.  It actually makes a fantastic vapor barrier which is super helpful in my cold, dry, Idaho high country climate.  Additionally it has none of the "sting" I get when applying scented commercial balms.

As A body balm it clears up and protects against cracked skin.  I love to fish for steelhead meaning my hands are subjected to cold, wet windy weather.  Since switching to Shea it feels like my mitts are waterproof.  

I give a jar to my kids when they give me a new grand baby and it works better than any diaper rash cream available on the market.  In fact it's miraculous how it clears up issues and prevents them if the kids remember to apply before diapering.

Unrefined Shea is not unscented.  It has what most would consider a nutty/smoky aroma.  Not strong but present.  The scent does not last long after application though allowing me to choose my fragrance without fear of a clash.  A little dab heated in my palm by rubbing my hands back and forth before massaging into my face is all that's needed (pea sized).  It goes on a bit heavy but absorbs in very quickly leaving a smooth feeling skin.  My wife doesn't like the scent thus uses refined Shea for moisturizing.  BUt if you want all the benefits of Shea, seek out unrefined.  The scent to me means it's working its magic.  I have used both the yellow and off-white colors and both seem to work the same.  (Refined Shea is pure white and odorless).  Scent does vary a bit from batch to batch but I've never found any batch to be strongly scented.  In fact I would say the unrefined scent is about a 3 of 10 making it pretty mild.  Some batches are firmer than others.  Some are smooth and creamy.  Others are a bit grainy but the graininess melts smooth when warmed in my hand.  All of it is marvelous.  I've heard some state that unrefined Shea can go "off" and that may be the case but I keep it in smallish two oz jars and have never had one go rancid. (Keep the big tub in the refrigerator) I could do without any of my shave soaps but would be sad if unrefined Shea is ever unavailable.

So Celestino, thank you very much my friend.  Your guidance has helped my family roll through life with a bit more comfort.

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#2

Member
Las Vegas, NV, USA
celestino is definitely the person to turn to with any questions about this great product. Glad to hear it’s been so useful, Lipripper660! I just cracked open a knuckle the other day — a sure signal that winter is approaching even here in the desert. This thread is a wonderful reminder of the jar of shea butter that I had forgotten I had! My knuckles will be grateful…

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Whenever I go to shave, I assume there’s someone else on the planet shaving, so I say “I’m gonna go shave, too.”
– Mitch Hedberg
#3
Is it available on eBay? Any pointers would be helpful.


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#4

Member
Detroit
(10-23-2018, 10:20 AM)jags009 Wrote: Is it available on eBay? Any pointers would be helpful.


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I'm sure it's available online, but if you are looking locally, I would try natural food stores or farmer's markets.

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- Jeff
#5

Member
Idaho Falls, Idaho
(10-23-2018, 10:20 AM)jags009 Wrote: Is it available on eBay? Any pointers would be helpful.


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I get it at my local Natural Grocer but it sure is available on eBay. Search unrefined or raw Shea butter. It's offered in two colors, yellow and tan. Both are the same nut butter but the yellow one has an added root from a different tree. Both are awesome and neither has a different odor from the other. Both claim to have the same healing properties. I have used both and find no difference in efficacy. One point I might make, although I have never had any Shea turn rancid, I have smelled tester jars at vendor shops that were rancid. I keep my main stash in the fridge and use it out of two ounce jars.
#6

Member
Idaho Falls, Idaho
You can learn why Shea has the smoky aroma by watching YouTube vids about its manufacture. They toast the nuts, then grind them, then boil them to release the butter. All this is done over an open fire, thus the smoke. Fascinating small business at work.

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#7

Member
Las Vegas, NV, USA
(10-23-2018, 10:20 AM)jags009 Wrote: Is it available on eBay? Any pointers would be helpful.
Mystic Water Soap and Stirling Soap Company also sell shea butter, or at least they have in the past.

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Whenever I go to shave, I assume there’s someone else on the planet shaving, so I say “I’m gonna go shave, too.”
– Mitch Hedberg
#8

Super Moderator
I purchased a 2 oz tub of Mystic Water Whipped Shea Butter after reading through this thread a couple months ago. I have thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of shea butter this winter! I still get the cracked areas right above my fingernails but I tend to get them only when I haven't used the shea butter on a consistent basis. For consistency and ease, I ended up using an empty sample-size container and filled it with the shea butter. Now I keep it in the car and, especially on these freezing cold Midwest days, I can apply it 3 or 4 times a day. Hopefully, I won't have to deal with the cracked knuckles or fingers the rest of winter Smile

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#9
Though winters are going to end in a few weeks, I ended up buying some Shea butter from Amazon. Current hand creams were not solving the purpose as my hands were all cracked and at some areas I could see them bleed.

I hope unrefined Shea butter might be able to give some comfort and I intend to use it in summer time too. Fingers crossed.


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#10
I was looking for a solution to dry hands in the winter and the products I have tried either didn't work or smelled bad. Last product I tried was Lisa's Natural sandalwood hand & foot cream. Smells pretty good (though hard to detect sandalwood, more of a citrus scent). But I haven't felt much improvement in my hands with this product. Looks like Shea butter could be the next product to try.

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-Rob


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