Shea butter is an edible substance, used for cooking and also to make creams and salves. The way to make shea butter is a lengthy process, completely done by hand in our case, and made in various steps. You start with picking the fruits of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). The pulp is removed to reveal the nut that has the shea kernel within it. That is the source of shea butter, which is extracted through an arduous process: it is dried in the sun, boiled, roasted, crushed, ground to make a paste, then water is added, it is boiled again and filtered a number of times.

The women in the Delwende Centre use shea butter also to make soaps, gently cleansing, softening and pleasantly scented.

• Honey soap. Soft lather, delicate perfume, with soothing, softening, tonic qualities, it has antibacterial, antiseptic and healing properties.
• Clay soap. It helps maintaining the natural elasticity of the skin. Particularly suited for mature and dry skin.
• Neem soap. It contains neem (Azadirachta indica) oil, having precious moisturizing, regenerating and restorative properties. Its antiseptic action effectively treats acne, psoriasis and rashes. It works well with skin irritation, lesions and scaling and as antifungal.
• Shea butter. Deeply nourishes. It has softening and soothing properties and is rich in vitamins A, D, E.