The Truth About Shea Butter: Why Texture Isn’t a Flaw—It’s a Feature

At COOBEE, we believe skincare should be real, honest, and rooted in nature. That’s why we use high-quality, ACO-certified organic unrefined shea butter in many of our handcrafted products—from lip balms and body butters to salves and deodorants.

So if you've ever opened a COOBEE product and noticed a slightly grainy or bumpy texture, you might wonder:

Is this normal?

Absolutely. In fact, it's a beautiful reminder that you’re using something pure and unprocessed.

 

Why Does Shea Butter Get Grainy?

Shea butter is rich in natural fatty acids—especially oleic and stearic acids—that melt and solidify at slightly different temperatures. When exposed to temperature fluctuations (like during shipping or bathroom storage), the shea butter can melt and re-solidify unevenly. This causes tiny crystals to form, giving it that distinctive grainy or gritty texture.

Think of it like chocolate: when it melts and then cools too fast, it can develop a grainy texture or white patches—but it’s still perfectly safe and delicious. Shea butter works the same way.

 

Does the Texture Affect the Quality?

Not at all. That gentle graininess melts instantly when applied to your skin and has zero impact on the product’s effectiveness. You’ll still receive the full benefits of raw, nutrient-rich shea butter:

• Deep hydration
• Relief for dry or irritated skin
• Rich in vitamins A and E
• Natural anti-inflammatory properties

If anything, that texture is proof that your product contains real, unrefined, undiluted goodness.

 

Why Most Commercial Brands Avoid Unrefined Shea Butter

Mainstream skincare companies often use refined shea butter—a version that’s been deodorised, bleached, and stripped of its natural scent, colour, and nutrients.

Why?

Because consistency sells. Grainy textures and natural scent variations don’t fit the aesthetic of mass production. Refined shea butter is easier to work with in machines, more stable on store shelves, and doesn’t challenge customer expectations.

But at what cost?

Refined shea butter may look smoother, but it lacks many of the powerful compounds that make shea butter such a skin saviour in the first place.

 

Why COOBEE Uses Unrefined Shea Butter—Even When It’s Tricky

We choose unrefined, organic shea butter because it’s the most potent, most nourishing, and most real form available. It may vary slightly in texture and aroma from batch to batch, but that’s the beauty of nature. We’d rather give you a product that’s alive with natural goodness than one that’s been processed into perfection.

Our small-batch, handmade approach means we accept and embrace these natural variations. Each balm or salve is crafted with care—not churned out in a factory—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Should I “Fix” the Texture?

Honestly? No need at all!

That slight graininess is a natural feature of our premium organic shea butter - simply a sign that you’re using a product made with pure, unrefined ingredients—nothing synthetic or heavily processed.

It melts instantly on contact with your skin, releasing all its nourishing benefits. The texture doesn't affect the quality or performance—if anything, it's proof you're getting the real, unrefined goodness your skin loves.

 

 

Final Thoughts: Real Over Refined

That grainy texture in your COOBEE balm or butter? It’s not a flaw. It’s a feature. A sign that what you're putting on your skin is pure, nutrient-dense, and thoughtfully made.

At COOBEE, we honour the integrity of every natural ingredient. Because your skin deserves real nourishment—not synthetic perfection.

Real beats refined. Always.