Reducing Natural Scent of Shea Butter

How to Reduce the Natural Scent of Shea Butter

Shea Butter, especially unrefined or virgin types, has a characteristic natural scent that some people find quite strong and potentially bothersome, particularly when applied overnight.

If you are using a type of Shea Butter with a natural scent and wish to reduce it, you can do so by adding fragrant ingredients to help mask the original smell.

• Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil: This is a common method to add scent to cosmetic products. The choice of scent depends on personal preference.
  • Some essential oils, like Tea Tree Oil, have a strong, pungent scent and specific properties. It might help mask the Shea Butter smell, but the scent of Tea Tree itself is also quite strong.
  • Rosemary Essential Oil has a fresh, herbaceous scent and can also be used.
  • However, it is important to use cosmetic-grade fragrance or essential oils and adhere to recommended safe usage rates to avoid skin irritation. The typical usage rate is often between 0.1-1% of the total formulation, depending on the type and concentration of the scent.
• Choosing Processed Shea Butter: Some types of Shea Butter, such as Shea Butter (Refined, Deodorised) or Shea Butter (Ultra Soft), have undergone processing to remove the natural scent, resulting in a much milder or odorless product. Choosing one of these processed types from the start might resolve the issue of bothersome smell without needing to add extra fragrance.

Adding a pleasant scent can help make the natural smell of Shea Butter less prominent, allowing you to feel more comfortable using it as an overnight moisturizer.