There are two main types of Shea butter: Unrefined Shea Butter and Refined Shea Butter.

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Unrefined Shea Butter:  This is raw Shea Butter that has not undergone any chemical processing.  It is either yellow or white color and has a strong, nutty aroma.  Unrefined Shea butter is the purest form of Shea Butter and is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.  

 

Refined Shea Butter:  This type of Shea Butter has been processed, deodorized, and may have had other additives added to it.  The color is usually a creamy white, and the aroma is much milder than unrefined Shea Butter.  Refined Shea Butter has a longer shelf life than unrefined Shea Butter, but it may contain fewer beneficial nutrients.  

 

There are also different grades of Shea butter, ranging from A to F. Grade A Shea butter is considered the highest quality, while grades B to F are lower quality and may contain impurities. When choosing Shea butter, it's important to consider the intended use, as unrefined Shea butter may be too strong for some people, while refined Shea butter may not provide the same level of benefits as raw Shea butter.