Hey Friends, Let’s Talk Shea Butter!

Stacie here (Momma Bear). If you’ve ever looked at the ingredient list on one of our Momma Bears Creations products, you’ve probably noticed that shea butter shows up… a lot.

Our soaps? Shea butter. Our body butters? Obviously, shea butter. Our lotion bars? You guessed it—shea butter.

People ask me all the time at Carlisle Creative Vibes and at craft shows: “Why is shea butter in everything? What’s so special about it?”

Great question! And honestly, if I could only use ONE ingredient in my skincare products (hypothetically—I’d never do that!), shea butter would be it.

Let me tell you why I love it so much, and then I’ll share some practical ways Central PA families use it beyond just moisturizing.

Why Shea Butter? (From a Soapmaker’s Perspective)

When I started making natural skincare products for my family and friends, I tried everything. Coconut oil, cocoa butter, mango butter, almond oil—all great ingredients. But shea butter kept winning every time.

Here’s why I reach for it constantly:

1. It’s Gentle Enough for Everyone

Seriously, shea butter is one of the most gentle, skin-friendly ingredients out there. I use it in products for:

Babies with diaper rash
Kids with eczema
Adults with super sensitive skin
People with dry, cracked hands from Central PA winters

It rarely causes reactions. In all my years making products, I’ve had very few people tell me shea butter irritates their skin (unlike some other ingredients that trigger allergies more often).

2. It Moisturizes Without Feeling Greasy

This is KEY. Shea butter is rich and deeply moisturizing, but it absorbs into your skin instead of sitting on top like a greasy film.

You know that feeling when you put on lotion and then can’t open a doorknob because your hands are so slippery? Shea butter doesn’t do that. It sinks in, does its job, and your skin feels soft—not greasy.

3. It Helps Your Skin Heal

Shea butter isn’t just about moisture. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties, which means it helps calm red, irritated, or inflamed skin.

Our customers tell us they use our shea butter products on:

Dry, cracked heels
Eczema patches
Windburned cheeks (thanks, Pennsylvania winters!)
Minor scrapes and scratches
Chapped lips
Tattoo aftercare (yes, Tattoo Luv has shea butter too!)

4. It’s Packed with Good Stuff

Shea butter naturally contains:

Vitamins A and E - Support skin health and repair
Fatty acids - Lock in moisture
Natural antioxidants - Protect your skin

No lab-created synthetics. Just what the shea nut naturally provides.

5. A Little Goes a Long Way

When you’re a small family business making products by hand in Enola, PA, ingredient quality and efficiency matter. Shea butter is cost-effective because you don’t need much—a tiny amount provides serious moisture.

That’s why our lotion bars last so long. They’re concentrated shea butter-based moisture without all the water fillers that commercial lotions use.

“But Stacie, Can I Use Shea Butter for Other Things?”

Absolutely! While I primarily use shea butter for skincare in our products, Central PA families have shared with me some creative ways they use pure shea butter at home. Here are five I’ve heard about most often:

5 Surprising Ways Families Use Shea Butter

1. Diaper Rash Relief

This is probably the #1 thing I hear from young moms at craft shows: “Your shea butter body butter saved my baby’s bottom!”

Shea butter creates a protective barrier on baby’s skin without harsh chemicals. It’s gentle, it’s natural, and it actually helps soothe the redness and irritation.

How to use it: Apply a thin layer of pure shea butter or our unscented body butter during diaper changes. Especially helpful overnight when baby’s diaper is on longer.

Why it works: Shea butter forms a moisture barrier while allowing skin to breathe (unlike petroleum-based products that can trap moisture and make things worse).

2. Winter Skin SOS for the Whole Family

Living in Central PA means brutal winters. Cold air outside, dry heat inside—it’s a recipe for cracked hands, chapped lips, and dry patches everywhere.

I see this constantly: families come to our Carlisle Creative Vibes booth in December and January looking desperate for something that actually works.

How to use it: Keep a tin of shea butter (or our lotion bar) by the door. Apply to hands, cheeks, and lips before heading out into the cold.

Pro tip: Our Lavender Goat Milk soap + a lotion bar is a winning combo for Central PA winter skin. The soap doesn’t strip your natural oils, and the lotion bar adds back deep moisture.

3. Soothing Minor Cuts, Scrapes, and Burns

I’m not saying shea butter is medicine (always see a doctor for serious wounds!), but for everyday family boo-boos—scraped knees, minor burns from the stove, little scratches—shea butter can help.

How to use it: Clean the area first, then apply a thin layer of pure shea butter. It helps keep the area moisturized while it heals and may reduce scarring.

Why it works: Shea butter’s natural anti-inflammatory properties help calm irritation, and it keeps the skin from drying out while healing.

4. Taming Frizzy Hair and Dry Ends

Okay, this one surprised me when customers started telling me about it! Apparently, shea butter works wonders on dry, frizzy hair.

How to use it: Take a tiny amount (seriously, like a pea-sized amount!) of pure shea butter, rub it between your palms to melt it, then run your hands over the ends of your hair. Don’t apply to roots unless you want an oily look.

Best for: Curly hair, dry ends, frizz control, especially in Central PA’s humid summers.

Warning: A little goes a LONG way. Start small—you can always add more!

5. Chapped Lips and Windburned Cheeks

Pennsylvania winters are rough on exposed skin. If you or your kids spend time outside (sports, skiing, just playing in the snow), windburn is real.

How to use it: Dab pure shea butter on chapped lips and windburned cheeks before bed. By morning, your skin will feel so much better.

Why it’s safe for kids: If they lick it off their lips (and they will!), it’s not toxic. Just natural shea butter.

Our recommendation: Keep a tin in your winter coat pocket for quick applications.

“Should I Make My Own or Just Buy Yours?”

Honest answer? Both are great options!

If You Want to DIY:

You can absolutely buy pure, unrefined shea butter and use it straight from the jar. Some people whip it with coconut oil or jojoba oil to make it easier to spread.

DIY is great if you:

Enjoy making your own products
Want complete control over ingredients
Have time and patience for the process

If You’d Rather We Make It for You:

That’s literally what we do! Stacie and Maddi make every batch by hand in our Enola home. We’ve already done the testing, the formulating, the measuring—you just get to use it.

Ready-made is great if you:

Want convenience (just open and use!)
Trust us to blend the perfect consistency
Prefer supporting a local, family-owned business
Don’t have time to DIY everything

No judgment either way! Some of our customers buy our products AND make their own stuff at home. We love that!

What to Look for in Quality Shea Butter

If you’re buying pure shea butter (or shea butter products like ours), here’s what matters:

Unrefined vs. Refined

Unrefined (raw) shea butter: Retains all the natural vitamins and nutrients. Might have a slight nutty smell. This is what we use.
Refined shea butter: Processed to remove color and scent. Loses some beneficial properties in the process.

Our choice: Unrefined, always. Why remove the good stuff?

Color and Texture

Good quality shea butter is usually:

Off-white to slightly yellow/beige
Solid at room temperature but melts easily with body heat
Smooth texture (though raw shea can be a bit grainy until warmed)

Source Matters

Shea butter comes from shea trees in West Africa (primarily Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso). Look for fair-trade sources that support the women who harvest and process the shea nuts.

We’re proud to source our shea butter from suppliers who work directly with women’s cooperatives. It’s about more than just skincare—it’s about supporting communities.

The Momma Bears Promise: Real Ingredients, Real Care

Here’s the bottom line: I use shea butter in almost everything we make because it works.

Not because it’s trendy. Not because it sounds fancy on a label. Because after years of making products for my family, my friends, and now hundreds of Central PA customers, shea butter has proven itself over and over.

When you buy a Momma Bears Creations product with shea butter (which is most of them!), you’re getting:

Unrefined, quality shea butter - We don’t cut corners
Handmade in small batches - Every batch made with care in our Enola home
No synthetic fillers - Just real, natural ingredients
Products we’d use on our own family - That’s our standard

Try Shea Butter Products from Momma Bears

Ready to experience the shea butter difference? Here are some customer favorites:

Lotion Bars - Pure concentrated moisture (perfect for Central PA winters!)
Body Butters - Whipped, fluffy, and deeply nourishing
Soap Bars - Gentle cleansing with shea butter’s moisturizing magic
Tattoo Luv - Glide and aftercare with shea butter’s healing properties

Where to find us:

In Person: Carlisle Creative Vibes (152 N Hanover St, Carlisle, PA 17013)
Online: Shop Momma Bears at Carlisle Creative Vibes
Events: Follow us on Facebook for craft show updates (East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest is our favorite!)

Have Questions About Shea Butter?

We love talking about ingredients and helping you find what works for your family’s skin!

Reach us:

Facebook (checked daily!)
Contact page
Or stop by Carlisle Creative Vibes and chat with the team

Not sure which product is right for you? Just ask! We’re here to help, not just sell.

— Stacie, Maddi & Scott (Momma Bears Creations, Enola, PA)

P.S. - If you’re dealing with brutal Pennsylvania winter skin right now, our lotion bars are absolute lifesavers. Just saying!