GENERAL
Where are your products made?
Everything is handcrafted in Northern Ghana by a women-owned and led cooperative. Step inside the cooperative and see how it is made.
Who makes your Shea butter and Baobab oil?
The superstars of our story: women in a remote Ghanaian village who’ve mastered this craft through generations. They don’t work for FairTale GHANA, they own their cooperative and we proudly buy directly from them. We are their business partners. Meet the women who make it.
Why is your Shea butter still made by hand?
There is a kneading machine in the co-op. But the women decided not to turn it on. Kneading is the heaviest step in making Shea butter, and the machine would do it in a fraction of the time, but they chose to keep doing it the old way. Read why.
Where can I find your products in Europe?
You can order directly from our website, and our products are also available on Amazon Europe. Just look for us by our name, FairTale GHANA and you'll also find all our stores from our LinkTree here.
SHEA BUTTER & BAOBAB OIL
Is your Shea butter raw and unrefined?
Yes. 100% raw, unrefined, and handcrafted. That’s why it still smells, feels, and works the way it’s supposed to. Read more from our blog post: Raw versus refined, and why the difference is bigger than the colour.
What sizes do you offer?
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Shea butter: 450 g (16 oz), 2.25 kg (5 lb), 4.5 kg (10 lb). See all Shea butter sizes.
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Baobab oil: 50 ml (1.69 fl oz), 210 ml (7.1 fl oz), 450 ml (15.2 fl oz). See all Baobab oil sizes.
The two big Shea butter boxes, 2.25 kg and 4.5 kg, are also our bulk sizes.
What’s the shelf life?
Kept in a cool and dry place, nothing much really happens to it. No fridge needed. After about two years, it can slowly start losing some of its skin-loving benefits, but that does not mean it has gone bad. It does not spoil the way food does, and it will still moisturize your skin for years. How to store it properly.
Can I use Shea butter on my face?
Yes. Shea butter sits low on the comedogenic scale, the rough zero to five ranking of how likely an ingredient is to block pores, so it rarely causes trouble. The trick is the amount: a pea-sized dab warmed between your fingers is enough for the whole face. Is raw Shea butter good for your face.
Can I use it on my hair?
Yes. Most people use it on the lengths and ends rather than the scalp. A small amount warmed between your palms works as a leave-in for dry ends, and whipped with Baobab oil it spreads far more easily. DIY recipes with raw Shea butter.
Can I use Shea butter on babies?
Absolutely. It’s gentle, 100% natural, and perfect for delicate skin. Most women all over Africa use it on their babies daily. Shea butter for babies, kids and the whole family.
What does Shea butter smell like?
Nutty, smoky and faintly earthy, closest to a kitchen just after someone toasted hazelnuts. The smoke comes from roasting the kernels over a wood fire. It does not smell of vanilla, coconut or flowers. If it does, something was added, and if it smells of nothing at all, it was deodorized. What Shea butter actually smells like.
What does Baobab oil smell like?
It’s a light, nutty scent, very mild. We don’t add anything. Pure, cold-pressed, and golden. The smell is also how you tell real Baobab oil from refined.
Can I mix Shea butter and Baobab oil?
Yes! Many of our customers whip them together for the best skin treat. You can also use them separately, Baobab oil absorbs faster, while Shea butter moisturizes deeper. But when used together? It doubles the compliments, makes Shea butter softer, and easier to apply. How to use them together, and we have easy DIY recipes under our Recipe section if you want to try it yourself.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Why is my Shea butter grainy?
It happens sometimes and that’s normal for raw Shea butter! It doesn’t affect the quality. In fact, we love the grains, they work like a 2-in-1: gentle massage and deep moisture. Graininess happens when it melts and cools slowly. If it bothers you, no worries at all, it’s easy to fix: just melt your butter and cool it down again. We show you exactly how in our Recipe section.
My Shea butter went soft or liquid, is it ruined?
No. Shea butter melts close to body temperature, so a warm room or a summer parcel can turn it soft. It sets again as it cools. If it cools slowly it can come back grainy, which is also normal and easy to fix. Grainy Shea butter, why it happens and how to fix it.
Why does the color or smell of Shea butter change?
Shea butter is a natural product made by hand. Color and scent can vary slightly from batch to batch depending on the season, the specific nuts, or the drying process. Lighter, darker, stronger, milder, it’s all normal, and all real Shea. What Shea butter actually smells like, and when a smell means something.
I have a nut allergy, is it safe?
Shea butter comes from the nut of the Karité tree. Allergic reactions to it are considered rare, but if you have a nut allergy, ask your doctor first and test a small patch of skin before using it. What Shea butter is made of.
Does Shea butter protect from the sun?
Not enough to count on. Raw Shea butter does contain cinnamate esters that absorb some UVB light, which is real chemistry rather than marketing, but it is nowhere near strong enough to replace sunscreen. Use a proper sunscreen. Is raw Shea butter good for your face.
BULK & WHOLESALE
Do you offer bulk or wholesale?
Yes! Whether you're a small skincare brand or just love stocking up, we’ve got options. The 2.25 kg (5 lb) and 4.5 kg (10 lb) Shea butter boxes are our bulk sizes, and for larger quantities, get in touch and we will sort it out.
Can I sell your products in my shop?
Yes, we would absolutely love that! Send us a quick intro via our contact form or email. We love teaming up with businesses who care about ethical trade and quality.