Sal Butter Profile
Botanical Name- Shorea robusta
Origin- India
Extraction- Expeller pressed/Refined
Shelf life- 1 year optimal
Notes- Also traded and sold as "Shorea Butter"
To prolong its shelf life, store in a dark, cool location. Sal is a hard butter and does NOT apply well as a "stand alone" application. It is best used within cosmetic formulations or added with other ingredients to make it more pliable.
Specifications
Color- White
Odor- None
Free Fatty Acids- 0.25%
Peroxide Value- 2.0
Non-Saponifiables- 1.8%
Saponification Value- 192
Iodine Value- 39.3
Total Saturated- 48-55
Total Monounsaturated- 37-43
Total Polyunsaturated- 0-4
Melting Point- 98-99 degrees
Fatty Acids
Oleic- 37-43%
Palmitic- 4-7%
Linoleic- 0-4%
Stearic- 41-47%
Introduction
Sal Butter is becoming increasingly popular in the natural bodycare and cosmetic industries for good reason. It has been used for centuries in India for its moisturizing and healing properties, where it has been used to protect and condition skin which has been damaged by the sun and wind.
Using Sal Butter
Due to its uniform triglyceride composition, it has a high oxidative and emulsion stability, as well as good skin softening ability. It melts at skin temperatures making it ideal for sticks and balms. It also works very well in bar soaps and skin creams. (Suggested Use Levels: Lotions & Creams: 3-5% Balms: 5-100% Bar Soaps: 3-6% Conditioners: 2-5%) Store in a cool place away from direct light tightly sealed, approximate shelf life when properly stored 9 to 12 months
Benefits:
It is high in stearic and oleic acids and has a few polyunsaturated fatty acids. Sal Butter is often used to enhance spreadability of creams, lotions, and cosmetic foundations combining good emolliency with superior oxidative stability. Comparable to cocoa butter in its physical properties, Sal Butter can be used in similar applications. It is also beneficial for the treatment of many different conditions, such as:
- Dry skin
- Itchy skin, skin rashes, Eczema, and Dermatitis
- Sunburn
- Small skin wounds
- Damaged skin
- Rough skin (such as on feet)
- Insect bites
- Muscle aches, fatigue, and tension
- Wrinkles and signs of ageing
- Chapped skin from cold weather
- Dry or over processed hair
- Diaper rash
- Skin allergies
- Frost bite
- Sal Butter offers a low level of UV protection (approximately SPF-6), and may be incorporated into natural sunscreen recipes.
