At Baraka, we believe that everyone deserves to experience the joy and satisfaction of creating their own skincare and cosmetics products. DIYing is not only healthy and rewarding but also a fantastic way to save money. Whether you're looking for heartfelt gifts, quality family time, or simply a way to reduce your spending, DIY skincare and cosmetics is the perfect solution.

Welcome to the Definitive Guide to DIY with Shea Butter! Discover the endless possibilities of this versatile natural ingredient and learn how to create your own customized skincare products. From soothing body balms to nourishing hair masks, shea butter offers a multitude of benefits for your skin and hair. Throughout this comprehensive guide, you'll find: A deep dive into shea butter: Learn about its properties, benefits, and different types. DIY project ideas: Explore a variety of creative projects you can undertake with shea butter. Step-by-step recipes: Follow easy-to-follow instructions to create your own homemade products. Tips and tricks: Discover expert advice on using shea butter effectively. Get ready to unlock the potential of shea butter and create personalized skincare products that are both nourishing and enjoyable. Let's dive in!

Decoding Shea Butter: A Guide to Color, Smell, and Quality Is Shea Butter Just Shea Butter? While the term "shea butter" might seem straightforward, there's a world of difference between various types. Color, smell, and processing methods can significantly impact the quality and benefits of shea butter. Let's delve into these key factors.

The Colorful World of Shea Butter: A Guide to Natural Variations Shea butter, a natural and versatile ingredient, is renowned for its nourishing properties. While it's often associated with a specific buttery yellow hue, it's important to understand that the color of shea butter can vary significantly.

Crafting Your Skincare Routine: The Power of Natural Ingredients In today's world, filled with countless commercial skincare products, many people are turning to DIY skincare as a way to achieve healthier, more radiant skin. The beauty of DIY skincare lies in its simplicity and the ability to customize your routine using natural ingredients that nourish and protect your skin.

DIY Soap Making Methods Choosing the right method for making your own soap can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. There are three primary methods: Hot Process, Cold Process, and Melt and Pour. Each method has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. This guide will help you understand the differences between these methods and determine which one is best suited to your needs and preferences.

Discover the Secret to Naturally Healthy Skin and Hair, One Ingredient at a Time Skip down to the list of benefits from each of these ingredients, or read through… Discover how Baraka's natural handmade butters and oils can elevate your skincare and haircare products, projects, and routines.

Baobab oil, extracted from the fruit of the baobab tree, is a versatile and nutrient-rich ingredient that has gained popularity in the natural beauty industry. Sourced from wild baobab trees in northern Ghana, this ethically harvested oil is not only beneficial for your skin and hair but also supports local communities. Baobab Oil Benefits Rich in antioxidants: Protects against environmental damage and premature aging. Hydrating properties: Deeply moisturizes skin and hair, reducing dryness and flakiness. Anti-inflammatory: Soothes irritated skin and reduces redness. Nutrient-dense: Contains essential fatty acids and vitamins that nourish the skin and hair.

The Joy of DIY Christmas Gifts: Soap, Skincare, and Cosmetics Crafting homemade Christmas gifts, especially those centered around soap, skincare, and cosmetics, offers a unique blend of creativity, practicality, and personal connection. The process of transforming raw ingredients into luxurious products is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to customize each gift to the recipient's specific preferences and needs.

A Beginners Guide to Making Black Soap Bars Simple steps and background information to get you started making your own black soap beauty bars using black soap crumbs, water and essential oils. The Baraka Black Soap Crumbs are traditionally handmade African Black Soap using Shea Butter and Coconut Oil This short blog, which is designed to accompany the Black Soap Elixir Bars DIY Recipe Kit for making Essential Oil Infused Black Soap Bars

Black Soap Crumbs: A Versatile Ingredient for DIY Soap Projects Black soap, a traditional African cleansing product, has gained popularity worldwide due to its natural ingredients and numerous benefits. Its unique dark color and earthy scent are derived from the ash of plantain leaves, which is used in the soap-making process.

Shea Oil: A Natural Beauty Elixir Shea oil, extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, is a versatile ingredient with numerous benefits for skin, hair, and cosmetics. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, shea oil offers a natural and nourishing solution for various beauty concerns.

Hand-Harvested and Traditionally Prepared Baraka Shea Butter is proud to offer a range of high-quality, ethically sourced butters, including shea butter, cocoa butter, and kombo butter. These natural ingredients are not only beneficial for your skin but also support the livelihoods of hard-working rural women in Ghana.

Baraka Baobab Oil, extracted from the fruit of the iconic baobab tree, has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its numerous benefits for skin, hair, and overall well-being. This versatile oil is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmetics, skincare products, haircare treatments, and even as a food.

Shea butter is a remarkable natural ingredient renowned for its moisturizing properties and versatility in skincare. Originating from the nuts of the African shea tree, it has been used for centuries to nourish and protect the skin. In this blog post, we'll explore how to create DIY skincare products using shea butter, empowering you to elevate your skincare routine with homemade recipes. Let's dive into the world of natural beauty!

Making your own soap at home is not only economical but also a rewarding and fun activity. Shea butter, known for its moisturizing properties, is a brilliant base for a nourishing soap that will leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated. This blog post will guide you through the process of making simple DIY soap with shea butter, complete with recipes that even beginners can follow. Let's explore the delightful world of homemade soap!

Creating your own DIY skincare products is not only beneficial but also remarkably simple and accessible. With just a handful of natural ingredients that are readily available in most local grocery stores or online, you can craft personalized solutions tailored to your skin's specific needs.

Skincare products are formulated with various ingredients that serve different purposes for your skin. In this article we highlight how common ingredients work with our skin.

If you are looking for a natural and effective way to take care of your skin and hair, you need to know about shea butter. It is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids that nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin and hair.

Making your own skincare products can be a fun, rewarding, and cost-effective way to pamper your skin and customize your routine. However, it is not as simple as mixing random ingredients in your kitchen. You need to understand some basic principles of skincare formulation to create safe, effective, and stable products. In this article, we will help you master the basics of DIY skincare and unleash your creativity.

Shea butter is a natural fat that comes from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows in Africa. It has been used for centuries as a cosmetic ingredient for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Shea butter is also edible and has been used as a cooking oil and a medicinal remedy for various conditions

Cocoa butter, also known as Theobroma oil, is a natural vegetable fat extracted from the cacao beans found in the cacao or cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). It is a key ingredient in the production of chocolate, as it provides the smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor associated with various chocolate products. Cocoa butter has a melting point just below body temperature, giving it the characteristic quality of melting in the mouth, a desirable trait in chocolate.

Coconut oil, often hailed as a versatile elixir, is a natural wonder derived from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts. It is cherished for its myriad of applications in various aspects of daily life. Composed primarily of saturated fats, with lauric acid being its major component, coconut oil is a staple in culinary traditions worldwide.

When you make your own Christmas Gifts you not only show your recipients you care about them, you have a ton of fun and save money too! DIY up your own Christmas Gifts with pure, natural Baraka Ingredients - and give the Dignity of Income to Hard-Working Ghanaian Women at the same time. A WIN WIN WIN.

People who make their own Gifts feel much more fulfillment and satisfaction, and their recipients value the gifts infinitely more. DIY skincare and cosmetics are ideal for this.

What Is Body Butter? Body butter is a thick, creamy skincare product that is designed to moisturize and nourish the skin. It is typically made from a combination of natural oils, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, or other plant-based oils, and may also contain ingredients like essential oils, vitamins,

What Is Coconut Oil? Coconut oil is a versatile and widely used natural product derived from the meat or kernel of mature coconuts. Known for its diverse applications, coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, primarily medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid, which make it unique. It is a staple in cooking, prized for

What Is Cocoa Butter? Cocoa butter is a natural and luxurious ingredient with a captivating origin. Derived from cocoa beans, the very source of the beloved chocolate, cocoa butter is a rich and creamy fat known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties. Beyond its delectable association with confectionery, cocoa

What Is Cocoa Butter? Cocoa butter is a natural and luxurious ingredient that has captured the hearts of both skincare enthusiasts and chocolate lovers alike. Derived from cocoa beans, the same source of the beloved sweet treat, cocoa butter is a rich and creamy fat with numerous beneficial properties

Cocoa Butter vs Coconut Oil Compared A Detailed Breakdown Of Cocoa Butter What Is Cocoa Butter? Cocoa butter, also known as theobroma oil, is a natural fat extracted from cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). It is a key ingredient in chocolate production and is widely used in various in

What Is African Black Soap? African Black Soap, also known as Alata Samina, is a traditional soap that originates from West Africa. It has been used for centuries by various African communities for its natural and beneficial properties. This soap is made from a combination of locally harvested plants and ingredients

What Is Shea Butter Shea butter is a natural skincare ingredient derived from the nuts of the shea tree. It is known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties. Rich in fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and antioxidants, shea butter deeply hydrates and softens the skin. It forms a protective barrier, preventing moistu

Avocado butter is a creamy, soft, and nourishing substance made from the flesh of ripe avocados. It is created by blending avocado oil with other natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, or cocoa butter to create a smooth and spreadable texture. Avocado butter has a mild avocado scent and is rich in nutrients, including vitamins A, D, and E, as well as healthy fatty acids.

Shea butter is a natural heat protectant that can be used to protect the hair from damage caused by heat styling tools. Its unique combination of vitamins, essential fatty acids, and natural oils make it an effective way to nourish and strengthen hair strands, reduce breakage, and promote healthy hair growth.

Yes, men can and should use body butter as part of their skincare routine. Body butter is a rich, nourishing moisturizer that can help hydrate and soothe dry skin. It can be particularly beneficial for men who have dry or rough skin on their hands, feet, or other areas of the body.

Shea butter is generally considered beneficial for cracked skin. It has a high concentration of fatty acids and vitamins, including vitamins A and E, which can nourish and moisturize the skin. Shea butter also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and irritation in cracked skin. When applied topically, shea butter can form a protective barrier over the skin, helping to prevent further moisture loss and protect the skin from external irritants. This can be especially helpful for cracked skin, which is often more vulnerable to infection and damage. Overall, shea butter can be a great natural remedy for dry, cracked skin.

Shea butter is known to have moisturizing and skin-healing properties that can help improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation. However, it's important to note that results may vary and using shea butter alone may not be enough to fully treat hyperpigmentation.

Can I Put Shea Butter In My Hair? Yes, you can put both raw and refined shea butter in your hair. Shea butter is a highly moisturizing substance that can help to nourish and protect the hair and scalp, making it a popular ingredient in many hair care products.

In 2022 Baraka, with support from our customers and their customers, was able to make an impact on the social, economic and environmental well being of women and communities in rural Ghana. We are far from perfect, and are learning as we go but read on to see what we have been able to accomplish this year by working together with our partners in our value chain.

Can Shea Butter Clog Pores? Shea butter itself does not typically clog pores, but it is important to use it in moderation and choose a high-quality, unrefined shea butter.

Compare Shea Butter and Vaseline: Petroleum jelly has come under criticism in recent years for its petroleum-based ingredients, which some people may prefer to avoid for environmental or health reasons. Shea butter is a natural alternative to Vaseline in that it provides many of the same benefits as petroleum jelly, but is made from natural ingredients rather than petroleum.

Baraka is impacting 16 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the support of our customers and their customers, we are thrilled to share this short report on our SDG Impact. The SDGs were adopted unanimously by all member nations of the United Nations and provide the framework for working towards a more fair, equitable, sustainable and just future for all.

Shea butter is generally considered safe to eat. It is a natural product that has been used in African cuisine for centuries. However, not all shea butter is edible. Some shea butter is refined and processed, making it less suitable for consumption. Unrefined, raw shea butter is the best option for food preparation as it has not been treated with any chemicals and retains its natural properties.

Many people can't really tell the difference between Kokum and Shea Butter. It is true that they have a lot of similarities both in benefits and in the way they are used, but still differ in some details. So, let's dive in and learn more about both of them and understand their similarities and differences.

Baraka Impact is pioneering a closed loop, waste to energy process that provides 100% of the fuel energy for processing shea butter, while mitigating climate change, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health and providing local employment.

The short answer is yes, you can use shea butter on tattoos. Shea Butter's anti-inflammatory and healing properties make it a great option for healing and keeping tattooed skin hydrated.

Shea butter is a great ingredient for lip care because it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and fatty acids. These nutrients are essential for keeping the lips healthy and soft. Shea butter is also a natural antioxidant, which means it can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Before you can whip shea to make body butters it is whipped vigorously by hand to coagulate the oils. Much like churning cream to make butter.

Roasted Shea Butter? Seriously? How do you Roast Shea Butter? Fact: All handmade shea butter is roasted to help release the oils. Factory made shea butter uses chemicals and toxins to release the oils.

Hear directly from the founders about how the Kombo Butter industry developed An interview discussion from deep in the Kombo/Cocoa forest with Sule and Aunty Agnes, leaders who literally created this industry and the positive impacts it is having on women, families and environment, and Susu, a Ghanaian product formulator who loves working with Kombo Butter.

Every order and every tip made an impact. Your purchases & contributions, and your customers purchases, impacted the lives of over 1,000 rural women and their families in December. Read on for some of the highlights.

Handmade. Small Batch. What do they really mean when it comes to Shea Butter? They mean a lot, when you realize that the alternative to handmade shea butter is mechanically processed and chemically extracted! Yuck!

New Eco-Ergonomic Shea Roasters are a big hit with the hard-working women in Konjeihi. Hear from local leader, “Aunty” Gifty as her and Jeremy discuss how they are easier, faster, safer and can reduce environmental impact and deforestation by up to 90%. Recent Topic: How To Use Shea Butter For Acne Scars and Skin Blemishes Much excitement with the women at Konjeihi and the Baraka team as Jeremy and Abdul from Burn Design Lab arrived with three new custom-designed shea roasters, sponsored by long-time Baraka customer evanhealy. Recent Topic: Second Grind: Releasing the Oils

Let me share a few Leadership Thoughts from the Trenches that I will be trying to apply in 2023. 2022 and the years before have been full of blessings, adventures, learnings and challenges - all of which I have tried to use as fodder for learning and fuel for growth (but, certainly not always successfully).

Shea Butter is shea butter is shea butter, right? WRONG! Not all shea butter is created equal. Read and learn more about color, smell, refined/unrefined, and some information that may surprise you.

DIY formulation with pure, natural ingredients is fun and much easier than you think. When you start with high quality, handmade natural ingredients like Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Kombo Butter, Coconut and Palm Oils there really isn’t much that can go wrong that can’t be fixed. And, truth is, most mistakes can simply be used as is.

November was an exciting month on the donations and impact front. Your purchases and the products you made, along with the tips you left on checkout (32% of purchases had a tip added) made a huge impact.

Baraka Recipe Kits come with pure, natural, handmade ingredients and recipes for simple, quick to make, all natural skincare and cosmetic products. These kits make the best gifts, especially at Christmas time.. read along to find our why! As we approach Christmas many of us are wondering what to get our loved ones. We want to give a gift to show we care, but we don’t want some tawdry thing for the sake of giving a gift (something that likely won’t be used or appreciated and simply contributes to the consumerism driven environmental impact on our planet).

Baraka Impact was selected as the the 2022 SME of the Year for Sustainability and Social Investment at the Sustainability & Social Investment (SSI) Ghanaian Awards Ceremony held on Friday, November 18th at the Kempinski Hotel in Ghana.

Safer, more productive, much more environmentally efficient (up to 90% less deforestation impact) and designed for more comfortable working posture. The new shea roasters are a game changer.

Here Michelle talks about her shoulder that had been causing sleep-losing, agonizing pain and what happened when she applied Kombo Butter to it.

Learn about how Baraka uses Kombo Butter to help local rural women and communities, as well as having a positive impact on ecosystem health.

All Baraka orders are now shipped carbon free, and benefit rural women in Ghana and Kenya Every Baraka Shipment to our customers is now shipped carbon neutral, with the support going towards a project in Kenya, providing hard-working rural women with stoves that reduce cooking time, conserve fuel, combat climate change and deforestation and reduce the fuel cost for the women. This only happened because of the support and encouragement of our customers.

We are often asked, Why is African Black Soap called Black Soap?The most common answer is that it is because of the dark colour given from the ash of locally harvested plants and peels that are used to create natural sodium hydroxide, which breaks the molecules of the oils and butters apart and bonds with them to create a new compound called Soap!

What is the story behind the name Baraka? We often get that question. In truth, it is an interesting question and the answer links tradition, historic cultural interaction and Baraka’s brand purpose.

The hard-working women of Konjiehi are getting a new enterprise center and the community is getting a new well thanks to Baraka's customers and their purchases of Baraka butters and oils. Every purchase makes a difference

The women of Konjiehi are getting a new Women's Enterprise Centre and Community Water Well thanks to you and others who purchase Baraka Shea Butter and other ingredients.

Red Palm Oil is great in body butters and skin and hair formulations, bringing many benefits and so easy to work with. And no, using it doesn’t mean you are destroying rainforest and obliterating Orangutans, especially when you use Baraka Red Palm Oil, sustainably produced and sourced from small scale farmers in Ghana. Check this blog if you want more detail: Why Baraka Palm Oil is Sustainable.

Shea butter and cocoa butter have their own unique benefits and features that make them stand out. If you’re wondering what those differences are, then keep reading to find out more about them.

Learn the story behind Kombo Butter, how it is made and how it is traditionally used for pain relief

Let me tell you the Baraka Palm Oil story. We take a lot of pride in bringing products to you that have positive social and environmental impacts. Baraka Palm Oil impacts women and small holder farmers, degraded forest lands and recovered mining lands and more

Watch, listen and learn how Baraka Shea Butter is made. This video takes you through the entire process, starting in the wild shea forest and finishing with beautiful, hand-crafted shea butter.

One of the most amazing, mind-blowing parts of how shea butter is made. Dry, mealy material goes into a grinder and comes out as an oily, viscous substance, nearly ready to release the magic of shea butter.