Exotic Butters are cosmetic raw materials that are extracted from the seeds and nuts of tropical fruits that grow in the remote tropical jungles. These butters are naturally occurring, plant-derived fats that are generally solid at room temperature but melt readily on contact with the skin. The term "exotic" refers to trees and plantations that are dependent on geographical and seasonal variations, which impact the yearly production capacity of Exotic Butters. The trees and plants that bear the fruits, seeds, and nuts of these butters typically grow in the wild and are found in the plantations or jungles of Asia, Africa, and South and Central America. With its rich content of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Exotic Butters are highly favorable in the natural skin care industry for their anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, sun protection, and emollient properties. Exotic Butters are also beneficial for scalp and hair health, since they penetrate below the surface, repairing dryness and damage.
Exotic Butters are thick and solid at room temperature due to their fatty acid profiles and mineral content. They also contain natural antioxidants, which provide them a long shelf-life even without the use of preservatives. In natural personal care products, Exotic Butters are a star ingredient because they can replace paraffin-based ingredients in skin and hair care formulations. Although all butters possess a high viscosity, the different absorption rates make some butters more suitable for specific skin care needs. Slow absorbing butters are thicker and oilier, which is beneficial for treating extremely dry skin and hair. Meanwhile, fast-absorbing butters seep into the skin without lingering stickiness, perfect for absorbing excess oil. Exotic Butters are as diverse as the source they hail from and can serve multiple hair care and skin care purposes. Discover seven recipes that harness the soothing powers of Exotic Butters and add some luxury to your personal care routine.
Fast Absorbing: Exotic butters that are fast-absorbing soak into the skin quickly. They moisturize hair and skin without making the surface look or feel greasy, making them ideal for oilier complexions. Fast absorbing butters include Cupuacu, Kokum, Shea, and Tucuma Butters.
Slow Absorbing: Butters that have a slower absorption rate are thicker and oilier in texture. They leave an oily sheen behind, making them ideal for extra dry skin, dry or damaged hair, and skin diseases such as eczema. Slow absorbing butters include Cocoa and Ucuuba butters.
Medium Absorbing: In between Fast and Slow Absorption, Medium absorbing butters possess qualities of both slow and fast absorption, making them ideal for numerous applications. Butters that possess a medium absorption rate include Bacuri, Mango, and Murumuru Butters.
Refined Cocoa Butter possesses a decadent, subtly chocolate scent, and a rich antioxidant profile. Extracted from the Cacao Bean pod, the fat yields a thick emollient that is naturally high in Vitamin E and Essential Fatty Acids. Cocoa Butter even has a slight SPF and acts as a thickening agent in lip balms, lipsticks, creams, and soaps.
Shea Butter: Shea Butter is the fat extracted from the African Shea Tree nut. High in Vitamins A, E, and F, Shea is also commonly used in skin and hair care due to its intensely moisturizing properties. This Exotic Butter also possesses Collagen, Essential Fatty Acids, and a small amount of SPF, making it ideal for skincare targeting fine lines and wrinkles.
Mango Butter: Extracted from the kernels of tropical Mango Trees, Mango Butter has been used for centuries by the Indigenous people of the forest regions of Southeast Asia. Rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A and E, Mango Butter resembles Shea and Cocoa in texture and composition, except it possesses more fatty acids. It is an intense emollient that is recommended for lotions, body butters, balms, soaps, shaving creams, and hair care formulations.
Cupuacu Butter (pronounced kuh-POO-a-soo): Cupuacu Butter is lesser-known than Cocoa and Shea, but it has been making waves in the skin and hair care for quite some time. This butter is extracted from the Cupuacu pulp, a fruit that is related to the Cacao bean. Cupuacu boasts a rich Essential Fatty Acid profile, a unique fragrance, and a creamy texture that softens extremely dry skin.
Bacuri Butter: Derived from the seeds of the Platonia insignis fruit, Bacuri Butter has gained widespread popularity in northern Brazil. Known for its deep brown color and rich aroma, Bacuri Butter is fast-absorbing, delivering a non-greasy emollience and smooth, firm-looking skin. Rich in Palmitic Acid, Bacuri Butter also acts as a gentle, natural exfoliant, making it ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.
Kokum Butter: Another quick-absorbing butter, Kokum is a natural emollient without being greasy, leaving skin with a healthy glow. Due to its uniform triglyceride composition, Kokum can also act as a substitute for Cocoa Butter in some recipes. Kokum is the most structurally and chemically stable plant butter, which makes it a great hardening agent in homemade cosmetic formulations.
1. CARROT-INFUSED SHEA BUTTER
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2. LEMON SUGAR COOKIE BODY BUTTER
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3. DIY PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA BODY BUTTER
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4. ALL-NATURAL SUPER MOISTURIZING LOTION BARS
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5. TURMERIC SOAP BARS
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6. MOCHA LATTE LIP BALM
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7. HEART-SHAPED MASSAGE BARS
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Lotions & Creams: 5-20%
Balms: 5-100%
Bar Soaps: 5-20%
Hair Conditioners: 2-5%
Soap: 2-10%
See our full wholesale body butter base.