Vitellaria paradoxa
We do not press shea. We import it — and we are specific about where and from whom. Our shea arrives from two co-operatives, one in Burkina Faso and one in northern Ghana. Both operate under harvest protocols that set ecological limits alongside wage floors.
The case for sourcing shea with care is regulatory before it is moral. The European Union's EUDR regulation, effective December 2025, requires cosmetic brands selling in EU markets to prove that their shea is not grown on deforested land. We hold chain-of-custody paperwork for every lot we import and will share it under NDA during qualification.
Sensorially, we offer two grades. Unrefined shea carries the characteristic nutty note and pale yellow colour — ideal for brands marketing authenticity. Refined shea (ours is refined using physical means only, no solvents) is neutral in odour and off-white, meant for formulators who want the fatty-acid profile without the colour or smell.
Shea without traceability, in 2026, is simply shea without homework.
We do not pretend shea is our specialty. It isn't. We stock it because serious formulators need a trustworthy shea alongside our Konkan butters, and because a short, editorial butter house should not force customers to buy from a commodity broker. We quote shea per lot against prevailing cooperative pricing; contact us with volume and timing and we will come back with a dated offer.
| Fatty acid | Notation | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Oleic | C18:1 | 40–55% |
| Stearic | C18:0 | 35–45% |
| Linoleic | C18:2 | 3–8% |
| Palmitic | C16:0 | 3–7% |
| Arachidic | C20:0 | 1–3% |
Recommended applications by our technical desk. For co-development work, we dispatch a formulator onto site for the first production batch.
The default cosmetic butter for good reason.
At 4–6% of oil weight, improves conditioning.
Softer than kokum, richer than mango.
Low inclusion yields slip without heaviness.
Long-standing ethnobotanical use.
Physical SPF booster when paired with zinc oxide.
Our kokum replaces shea in formulations where a lighter afterfeel is desired. Mango kernel substitutes where the sustainability story is the lead.
Complimentary for qualified formulators. Dispatched with CoA, lot number, and suggested inclusion windows — no commitment required.
Anchor
Garcinia indica
≥70% stearic. Melts at body temperature. Comedogenicity essentially zero.
Read dossier →
Upcycled
Mangifera indica
Balanced oleic–stearic profile. Pressed from kernels that would otherwise be burned.
Read dossier →
Green grade
Shorea robusta
Firm, structured, unexpectedly elegant. Refined and green grades.
Read dossier →For formulators who won’t compromise on provenance.
From Konkan with love.