Viva Naturals, Organic Shea Butter, Raw and Unrefined, Skin Moisturizer, Perfect for All DIY Recipes (16 oz)

My boyfriend gets dry skin on his hands during the winter. Last year he went on a mission to find the best shea butter, and he sure figured it out with this one.One day I ran out of my own body butter and used some of his to moisturize my legs... and then I just never stopped using it. I had to buy another one for us because I definitely used most of his.It's unscented besides the natural shea butter smell, which he prefers. I'm not crazy about that and would prefer a scent, but I think this would be a good base to add essential oils or something similar to if you'd like.It doesn't matter much, though, because once it soaks in, there's no scent at all and your skin just feels downright QUENCHED.

I got this product to use as a base for a deep conditioner. I wanted a Shea butter that was not stiff like the usual but had some soft slip and this product does.The productI am not an expert by no means but to me this Shea butter seems fairly organic. The butter has a light, faint nutty or smokey smell to it. The color is almost like an ivory or really pale baige but it is not white or yellow. The texture is really soft, smooth like well butter. The texture is also grainy and beads like but pressed together it virtually melts in the hand like a smooth body cream (not like a lotion). The product is thick but smooth, it is in between slippery and thick, a good consistency and spread for Shea butter.Is it really unrefined?According to the company it is unrefined, and is Harvested from Uganda. The only ingredients on the label is Shea butter. However, from my research, this Shea butter seems to be organic. Uganda is also one of the largest producers of Shea butter. Apparently, organic unrefined Shea butter is not white or yellow but ivory or an off white in color. It is often creamy to the touch. Unrefined Shea butter has a light nutty smell that fades after being applied to hair. Also it does not leave any waxing film.Refined Shea butter however, is often white or solid yellow and orderlies because the natural smell and color has been removed. Thus a lot of its healing properties are lost due to the refining processes.I have kinky hair and as stated before decided to use this as a base for my condition since Shea butter is said to have healing and moisturizing qualities for skin and hair. I don't cook with it to save product so I cannot report on that topic. To make the grains go away, I took a small pot and filled it midway with water. When the water was boiling I took the pot off the stove and put a few spoonfuls of Shea butter into a small glass cup and placed the cup into the hot water. I did not microwave it because I wasn't sure if it would loose some nutrients that way so to be safe I melted it in water. It literally became like a oil and that is when I poured it into the container and mixed it with my oils. I did not refrigerate it because my house is cold like 74 degrees and it solidified into a creamy paste overnight. It leaves behind no film and I am very happy with this product. The packaging is great, the product is great and no complaints. Hope this review helped someone.

The original consistency upon opening it after it arrived was grainy and oily. However it had barely a smell- a light and mostly neutral scent. I did the tip as advised in the Q&A to melt the butter inside the jar and then freeze it. Now there is a funny smell to the once fresher seeming shea butter. I intend to still use this shea butter as I do not like things to go to waste when the problem is insignificant, however, I will be more careful to attempt to fix a problem like this when it isn’t really a big one to begin with. Now I am stuck with nutty butter that reminds me of oil that is getting old / starting to get rancid.Revised update: Unsatisfied with my attempt to manipulate the shea butter, I managed to melt it down in a small non-stick saucepan on low heat. Mentioning non-stick because it seems to heat up more slowly and is therefore more gentle on the shea butter. The consistency was perfect after perhaps 5+ minutes as I stirred it and added some essential oil to it. Then, I stuck it in the freezer to solidify (this took 2 hours). After letting it sit out so it could go to room temperature, it was considerably lighter + incredibly smooth (silky). I am very happy with the results and will consider buying this shea butter again to add my own essential oil scent. I am truly amazed at this shea butter's transformation!Comment: I am still going to give the product 4/5 stars because I am unsure of what rancid shea butter is supposed to smell like and no one has contacted me from the business to provide any clarification at this time. All I can comment on is that any "old" oil smell that came about as I warmed the product has been masked by my essential oil.

This has got to be the best shea butter I've ever used. I make body butter, lotions and ointments and use all organic ingredients. Naturally the fact that Vita Naturals sells organic products is a major priority bit it's the quality of the product that I love. Most companies sell shea butter from Western Africa, which can be grainy and/or hard to the touch. This brand sells 100% pure nilotica shea, which is only grown in the eastern portion of the continent. Not only do I personally prefer the ivory color, but this shea butter is smooth, creamy and can even be used by itself on super dry spots like elbows and feet straight from the jar. When I run out of this jar, I'm not even going to look at a different brand. It's this one all the way for me.

I'm not so sure about this one. At first I was delighted with the product because of how it felt when it went on (still is wonderful). But over a couple weeks I realized this shea butter was the cause of my eyes stinging. Usually at the end of the day when taking off my eye makeup (I have not changed my eye makeup remover or my makeup) but also sometimes in the morning after putting this shea butter on. I've never had a problem putting other brands of shea butter over my eyes. So, is there an additive not listed? I just don't know, but I have no use for this product now and will have to try harder to find my old brand.

I have used 2 different brands of nilotica shea butter and I will say their texture and smell is quiet different from this Viva nilotica. the other brands feels very very soft even in cold temperature and smells sweet. The viva Naturals nilotica is not very soft. It feels like a mixture of both nilotica and the West African shea butter. I have used the West African shea butter since childhood so I know the texture and smell very well. I don't believe this shea butter is pure Ugandan Nilotica. I believe it has been mixed with the West African shea butter which is disappointing. I gave it 4 stars because it still lived up to my expectation. it was quiet moisturizing and I still love the smell.

This products works very well.I have a sensitive skin on winter times, my skin gets pretty dry due to the vast amount of heat I have on in my house.I have been using this for the past few weeks after I finish showering. My skin has reduced in itchiness and seems to have become smoother.The product has a very light scent, which is not too overwhelming compared to some other products in the market. The oil seems to absorb well into my skin and doesn't leave me feeling greasy.I like the product but I find myself needing to use a larger amount compared to liquid moisturizers.Would recommend.

Jar arrived sealed with plastic - reasurring and appreciated.Product goes on smoothly. Although it appeared greasy at first that disappeared quite quickly as my dry skin absorbed the moisturizer. Feels good on my dry skin.Shea Butter is fragrance free -- also appreciated as it not 'cloying' like some fragrances are. And also not off-smelling which sometimes products have when frangrance-free.Overall quite happy with this as a skin/body moisturizer. Havent tried it on hair yet as don't really need it for that. Might try on dry feet next! Expect it will be great for dry heels.Good value. Nice large jar that will last awhile.

Purchased to help with stretch marks, which did a great job and the rest of the family has been using it as a moisturizer. Silky smooth skin all around