Does Shea butter contain latex?

I am allergic to latex. Does Shea butter contain latex?

Thanks for asking!

Shea butter and cocoa butter both contain a latex/protein that people with TYPE B Latex allergies might react to.

I am told that specific tree nut allergies must all be present for a reaction to occur. Because of these two factors, reactions to shea butter are quite rare.

Additional good news is that Vermont Soap invented a way to remove MOST of the latex/protein before we use it in our products further reducing the likelihood of a reaction. We will be using this technique; called “polishing” on our coco butter products as they come up in the production cycle.

Some shea butter like raw Nigerian butters have a much higher latex content than others. So remember that all shea butter is not alike in latex content.

This is what I recommend.

Get yourself a .3oz pocket shea butter from Vermont Soap and a sample of another company’s shea butter. We are adding .3oz shea butters to the site today in response to your email. Take a cotton swab and dip it into one of the test shea butters. Gently touch/dab it to one forearm. Take a clean swab and repeat the test on your other forearm. Wait 4 hours. If you have an allergy there will be a raised bump on the test spot or an obvious reddening with irritation. Use this test on other products you are unsure of.

Wishing you All the Best!
Soapman Larry Plesent