Name: China Chemical Factory Supply Natural High Quality Shea butter -Refined for Skin & Hair Care
Brand: Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co., Ltd.

Specifications of Shea butter -Refined

Items	Specifications	Results
Characters	Beurre solide/Solid Butter	Conform
Melting Point in ℃	34-44℃	34℃
Colour	Interne/Internal	2.2
Couleur Lovibond 5 1/4 jaune/Colour inch cell Lovibond 5 1/4 yellow	0.0 - 20.0	14.0
Couleur Lovibond 5 1/4 rouge / Colour inch cell Lovibond 5 1/4 red	0.0 - 2.0	1.9
Indice de refraction a 40℃/Refractive index at 40℃	1.460 – 1.475	1.467
Indice d'acide en mg KOH/g /Acid value in mg KOH/g	0.00 - 0.50	0.37
Teneur en eau en %/ Water content in%	0.00 – 0.10	0.01
Indice diode/ lodine value	52 - 68	64
Indice de peroxyde en meq O2/Kg /Peroxide value in meq O2/Kg	0.0 – 10.0	0.3
Teneur en insaponifiable en %/ Unsaponifiable matter in %	Min 4.0	5.9
Conclusion	The product conforms to the above specifications.

Parameters of Shea butter -Refined

Product parameters
Appearance:	White to pale yellow semi-solid or solid
Purity:	99%
MOQ:	1kg
Price:	Negotiable
Package details:	1kg/bottle,25kg/plastic drum
Brand:	FORTUNA

Refined shea butter is shea butter that has been processed to remove impurities, color, and its natural nutty aroma. The refining process typically involves filtering, bleaching, and deodorizing the raw butter, resulting in a product with a neutral scent, uniform white/ivory color, and smoother texture compared to its unrefined counterpart.

Key Refining Processes:

Filtration/Clay Filtering: Removes particulate matter and debris.
Bleaching: Uses natural clay or activated charcoal to lighten the color.
Deodorizing: Steam distillation or other methods to neutralize the natural scent.
High-Temperature Processing: Sometimes used, which can affect the nutrient profile.

Properties of Refined Shea Butter

Color: Uniformly white or very pale ivory.
Scent: Neutral or very mild, often described as "virtually odorless."
Texture: Consistently smooth, creamy, and less grainy than unrefined shea butter.
Nutrient Profile: Some bioactive compounds (like vitamins, phytosterols, and unsaponifiables) are reduced or removed during processing. The beneficial fatty acids remain intact.
Shelf Life: Generally longer and more stable due to the removal of impurities that can cause rancidity.
Comedogenic Rating: Low to moderate (around 0-2), meaning it is unlikely to clog pores for most skin types.

Primary Uses of Refined Shea Butter

1. Cosmetics & Skincare (Most Common Use)

Refined shea butter is a staple emollient and moisturizer in mass-produced cosmetic formulations due to its stability, neutral scent, and smooth texture.

Moisturizers & Lotions: Provides deep hydration and creates a protective barrier on the skin.
Body Butters & Creams: A key ingredient for its rich, creamy consistency.
Lip Balms & Lipsticks: Offers softening and conditioning properties.
Soaps & Cleansers: Adds moisturizing properties and helps produce a stable lather.
Makeup Products: Used in foundations, creams, and stick formulations for its smooth application.

2. Hair Care

Conditioners & Hair Masks: Penetrates the hair shaft to moisturize dry, brittle hair and reduce frizz.
Styling Products: Provides hold and shine without heavy buildup.

3. Pharmaceutical & Therapeutic

Skin Repair Ointments: Used in products for very dry skin, eczema, and dermatitis due to its anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair qualities (though less potent than unrefined).
Massage Balms: Its smooth texture and easy spreadability make it an ideal base.

4. Industrial

As a Waterproofing Agent: Historically used to treat leather and wood.
Cocoa Butter Equivalent (CBE): In the food industry, refined shea butter (specifically the stearin fraction) is used as a cocoa butter extender or substitute in chocolate and confectionery due to its similar fatty acid composition and melting point.

Refined vs. Unrefined Shea Butter: Key Differences

Feature	Refined Shea Butter	Unrefined (Raw) Shea Butter
Processing	Chemically or physically processed (filtered, bleached, deodorized).	Mechanically extracted (cold-pressed), no chemical processing.
Color	White, pale ivory.	Beige, yellowish, or grayish (natural color).
Scent	Neutral, odorless, or very mild.	Strong, distinctive nutty/earthy aroma.
Texture	Smooth, uniform, creamy.	Often grainy or chunky, richer.
Nutrients	Lower levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and unsaponifiables.	Highest levels of bioactive compounds (vitamins A, E, F, phytosterols).
Best For	Cosmetic manufacturing, scent-sensitive users, longer shelf-life needs, chocolate production.	Direct skin/hair therapy, DIY products, users seeking maximum natural benefits.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Refined Shea Butter

Advantages:

Consumer-Friendly: Neutral smell and color are preferred in commercial products.
Consistency: Predictable texture and performance for formulators.
Stability: Less prone to rancidity, longer shelf life.
Hypoallergenic Potential: The removal of potential allergens from plant material may benefit those with sensitivities (though this is not guaranteed).

Disadvantages:

Reduced Potency: Loses some of the healing, anti-inflammatory, and UV-protective qualities for which unrefined shea butter is renowned.
Chemical Residue Risk: If processed with hexane or other harsh solvents, trace residues may remain (though food/pharmaceutical-grade refining minimizes this).
Less "Natural": Not considered a "whole" or "raw" natural product by green/clean beauty standards.

Summary

Refined shea butter is a processed, odorless, and stable fat derived from the African shea nut. Its primary value lies in its excellent moisturizing and emollient properties and its neutral sensory profile, making it a highly versatile and widely used ingredient in commercial cosmetics, hair care, and some food applications. While it retains its core moisturizing fatty acids, the refining process sacrifices some of the therapeutic bioactive compounds found in unrefined shea butter, which is generally preferred for direct therapeutic and natural skincare use. The choice between refined and unrefined depends on the desired balance between benefit potency, sensory appeal, and shelf stability.