Extra-nourishing, multi-purpose Nigerian shea butter / 4.2 oz

LIHA Gold Shea Butter is, we’re guessing, unlike any other shea butter you’ve tried.

Shea butter, in general, is considered by many to be the ultimate African beauty secret, having been used as a soothing and protective treatment for skin and scalps for centuries due to its naturally occurring fatty acids and vitamins (A and E, specifically).

Raw, vegan, ethically sourced, unrefined, and containing just one single ingredient, LIHA’s Gold Shea Butter comes from co-founder Abi’s father’s town in Nigeria, where shea nuts are mashed up and kneaded by hand over a period of two weeks. As Abi noted in this feature on the product in Vogue, this labor-intensive work is “something that women have traditionally done in Africa — in fact, they call it women’s gold because it’s gotten so many women out of poverty.” 

This particular golden shea is unlike the lighter-colored shea butter that is more typically found in cosmetics. It’s more moisturizing; has a more creamy-waxy texture that melts easily into skin right out of the jar; and has an entirely natural, earthy, smoky smell that we find both intriguing and addictive.

Abi and Liha have become known for their “kitchen beauty” workshops in London, where they use their shea butter as a base for other cosmetics. We love that they’ve made this raw ingredient available, showcasing its incredible potency when used on its own.

So, how do you use it? This jar of goodness can serve myriad roles, thanks to Gold Shea’s spreadability and extra-nourishing properties: 

Skin & scalp treatments

- Gently rub it into dry, flaky, and itchy scalps to soothe and nourish: it’s particularly helpful for those who suffer from eczema

- Smooth it onto both larger areas of the body as well as on the lips, hands, and feet

- Use it on the face as a moisturizing mask: leave it on the face for 10 minutes, then gently wipe it off with a cloth soaked in warm water

Gentle solutions for mom & baby

- Smooth it onto stretch marks and scars during and after pregnancy

- Rub it in gently as a nipple balm during nursing

- Use it on babies as a pure and natural nappy balm

It's no wonder this is Abi's favorite product — we fell instantly in love with this unique, incredibly nourishing shea butter, and it's one of the reasons why we were so excited for our first LIHA shipment to arrive.