Top Picks for Premium Unrefined Shea Butter Brands

Shea butter has long been celebrated for its nourishing and moisturizing properties, making it a popular ingredient in skincare and haircare routines. Unrefined shea butter, in particular, preserves the vital nutrients and fatty acids that offer these benefits, and several brands have emerged as top choices for consumers seeking out the highest quality. Brands like L'Occitane, SheaMoisture, and Karite are among those recognized for their commitment to sustainable sourcing and authentic, raw shea butter products. To explore the complete list of the best brands for unrefined shea butter, continue reading below.

Illustration of unrefined shea butter

Best brands of unrefined shea butter in 2025

Baraka Shea Butter

Baraka Shea Butter stands out as a leading producer of high-quality, unrefined shea butter, impacting the lives of thousands of rural women in Ghana. With 680 registered, trained, and contracted Organic Shea Nut collectors and producers in the Upper West region, Baraka ensures that every order directly supports these women and their families. The brand's commitment to traditional, manual extraction methods preserves the maximum beneficial properties and potency of the shea butter, making it a preferred choice for skincare and hair care. By supporting Baraka, customers contribute to the economic empowerment of nearly 1,000 women and families, providing primary or significant cash income. This dedication to fair trade and organic practices sets Baraka apart in the global shea butter market.

Alaffia

Alaffia is a renowned brand for producing high-quality, unrefined shea butter, handcrafted at women-led cooperatives in West Africa. Their fair trade shea butter is intensely moisturizing, rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, and is free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, artificial color, and synthetic fragrance. Alaffia's products support community empowerment projects and are cruelty-free, making them a preferred choice for those seeking ethical and effective skincare. The brand's commitment to fair trade practices benefits over 470,000 women in West Africa, contributing to poverty reduction and social mobility. With a strong focus on sustainability and community development, Alaffia stands out in the global shea butter market.

Shea Moisture

SheaMoisture is a leading global beauty brand renowned for its high-quality, naturally infused products, particularly its unrefined shea butter offerings. The brand sources its shea butter ethically from women's cooperatives in Northern Ghana, supporting over 53,000 West African women in receiving fair wages. SheaMoisture's Raw Shea Butter products are certified organic and rich in vitamins A and D, as well as essential fatty acids, providing deep hydration and multiple benefits for skin and hair. The brand has reinvested over $10 million in community programs and partnerships, solidifying its commitment to social responsibility. With a dedication to maintaining accurate ingredient lists and using only the best natural ingredients, SheaMoisture stands out as a trusted producer of unrefined shea butter products.

Better Shea Butter

Better Shea Butter is a renowned producer of high-quality unrefined shea butter, sourced from the nuts of the Shea Tree (Vitellaria Paradoxa) in Ghana, Africa. Known as "Mother Nature's Conditioner," their shea butter is celebrated for its exceptional moisturizing and softening properties, making it ideal for soothing and hydrating mature and damaged skin. The product has a natural nutty/smoky smell and can vary in color from ivory to gray or even a green tint. With a melting point of 89-100 degrees Fahrenheit, it is highly versatile for various skincare and hair care applications. The growing demand for natural and organic ingredients, such as unrefined shea butter, contributes to the market's expected growth to $2.79 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.6%.

Acure

Acure, though not specifically highlighted as a major producer of unrefined shea butter, is renowned for its commitment to natural and organic skincare products, which aligns with the growing demand for unrefined shea butter. The brand's products are free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, and formaldehyde, appealing to consumers seeking pure and natural ingredients. However, the primary market for unrefined shea butter is dominated by companies like Just Shea Butter and FirstSeed Organics, which source organic-certified shea butter and cater to the rising preference for natural skincare products, with unrefined shea butter sales accounting for 62.64% of the market in 2024. Acure's focus on clinically proven, vegan, and cruelty-free products enhances its reputation in the skincare industry. Despite this, it is essential to note that Acure's product lineup does not specifically emphasize unrefined shea butter. Learn more about their Everyday Eczema Lotion.

Nature's Way

Nature's Shea Butter might not be specifically highlighted as a major brand in the provided sources, but the shea butter market, which encompasses various brands, is experiencing robust growth due to the escalating demand for natural and organic ingredients. The global shea butter market is expected to grow from $2.01 billion in 2023 to $2.16 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 7.5%, and is projected to reach $3.75 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 6.7% from 2024 to 2032. Key driving factors include the rising demand for natural and sustainable skincare products. Brands like SheaMoisture are also notable for their fair trade practices and community reinvestment, supporting over 21,000 women in their shea butter supply chain. Additionally, market growth is bolstered by the expansion of the food industry and the incorporation of shea butter in nutraceutical and functional foods. For more information, visit Nature's Shea Butter.

Out of Africa

Out of Africa is renowned as one of the best producers of unrefined shea butter, sourcing 100% pure, unrefined shea butter from Benin, West Africa. The brand utilizes state-of-the-art production equipment and raw minerals to create premium quality skin care products. Their shea butter is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, offering significant dermatological and cosmetic benefits. Inspired by traditional methods, Out of Africa ensures high-quality products that nourish and protect the skin. This commitment to quality has made their products a favorite among those seeking natural and effective skin care solutions. To explore their range of shea butter products, you can visit their listing on Walgreens.

L'Occitane

L'Occitane is a leading brand in the production and utilization of unrefined shea butter, particularly notable for its long-standing support of female Shea producers in Burkina Faso since the 1980s. The company purchases raw materials directly from female cooperatives, generating about $1.23 million in revenues yearly for 15,000 rural women members. L'Occitane's Shea Butter products, such as the Ultra Rich Body Cream, contain up to 25% shea butter and are formulated with 95% natural-origin ingredients, making them ideal for sensitive skin. The brand's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of 100% recycled aluminium containers and support for traditional organic and regenerative farming methods. Through the L'OCCITANE Foundation, the company provides education, training, and financial support to over 42,000 women. For more information, explore their Shea Butter Collections.

Sunaroma

Sunaroma is renowned for its high-quality, unrefined shea butter products, which are incredibly gentle and safe for sensitive skin. Their Shea Butter Soothing Body Bar, for instance, combines shea butter with vanilla and frankincense essential oil for a calming and pampering experience. Sunaroma's commitment to natural ingredients and essential oils ensures their products are free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. The brand's African Raw Shea Butter, available in jars, is a testament to their dedication to providing pure and effective skincare solutions. With manual extraction methods yielding around 20 percent shea kernel to butter conversion rates, Sunaroma's products reflect a careful and sustainable approach to shea butter production. For more details on their pure and effective skincare solutions, visit their official website.

Cleure

Cleure stands out as a premier producer of unrefined shea butter, offering products that are 100% pure and free from chemicals, preservatives, and salicylates. Their shea butter products, such as the Hypoallergenic Lip Balm and Daily Body Lotion, are enriched with natural ingredients like cocoa butter and vitamin E, providing all-day hydration and relief for chapped, cracked lips and dry skin. Unlike refined shea butter, which can lose up to 75% of its natural nutrients during processing, Cleure's unrefined shea butter retains its full nutritional benefits. Recommended by dermatologists and organizations like the American Contact Dermatitis Society, Cleure's products are ideal for sensitive skin and those avoiding common irritants. With a focus on sustainability and natural ingredients, Cleure ensures high-quality products that are both effective and gentle.