Was 50/50 between purchasing Shea butter or Lanolin as a skin moisturizer during the cold winter months here. Looking for a variant for the cocoa butter which I regularly use. Decided to give unrefined Shea butter a try since I've never used it before but read good thinks about it. Went to a health food store and purchased 4oz jar of unrefined Shea butter. I was able to give the sample a smell prior to buying as I do with all creams. The smell seemed notable but mild. Purchased it and applied on cheeks. Shortly after noticed a cigarette/nicotine like smell as the Shea warmed up. Seems to moisturizer well but find the scent a bit off putting Wondered is this normal ? If so may mix with other creams or oil to change scent. http://www.healthyplanetcanada.com/beauty/shea-butter/afra-green-shea-butter-120ml.html Son's hand modelling Unrefined Shea Butter purchased.
I have used unrefined shea butter on my hands and face morning and night for a few years. Mine has a slight "nutty" scent. I have noticed slight variations in scent and texture between containers of the brand I use. I've never noticed a cigarette smell - that would be a deal breaker for me. You might check some other brands to see if you can find one with a scent that agrees with you. It's the best moisturizer that I've ever used, and a little goes a long way.
I tried unrefined Shea butter & found that it had a displeasing smoky smell. I stick to the refined Shea butter.
Depending on where the shea butter is sourced and how it is processed from the shea nut...unrefined shea butters will have slightly different aromas. There are some with a more mild aroma than others but in general all unrefined shea will have a smell.
After some further contact with the Shea butter I would say "smokey" better describes it. Apparently heated in vats using wood as fuel that imparts smokiness. Noticed they also had Shea with mango that smelled much better.
I use the East African (Nilocticila) and it has almost no scent and is easier to spread than the West African type. If you have any essential oils, etc. around the house, you can easily scent the butter. The scent doesn't last after I put it on my face so I never cared.
I really dislike the scent of Shea butter and the reason I much prefer to use raw virgin coconut oil.
From what I've read/studied it depends how it was refined. There are several ways. Any type of refinement will cause some loss of it properties. As a formulator I switched early to the refined shea because I could always pick out the underlying smell of the unrefined in my lotions and creams. I keep a jar of refined for myself and hubby for really dry, wind damaged, itchy, or sunburned skin. Works great for us. My favorite way to use it is to whip it with my kitchenaid. Goes on like...we'll like "buttah"
