Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter 25 g

Why Illipe Butter Holds Its Shape in Warm Climates

Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, commonly known as illipe butter, is pressed from the seeds of a dipterocarp tree native to Borneo. Its density and melting point closely resemble cocoa butter, which is why it has long been used as a substitute in confectionery manufacturing for chocolate bars, coatings and fillings that need a stable crystalline structure and a clean melt on the tongue. This same firmness makes it a valued ingredient in cosmetic production, where it belongs to the butters category and is prized for keeping finished products solid even in warmer environments where softer butters tend to lose their shape.

In skincare formulation illipe butter is a common choice for lip balms, solid sticks, body creams, overnight facial masks and hair repair treatments. Its high melting point makes it ideal for products that must remain firm at room temperature yet glide smoothly once applied to skin. The butter forms a light film on the surface that slows moisture loss, so it frequently appears in products aimed at dry or dehydrated skin and in winter care lines for hands and face. In color cosmetics, illipe is used as a structuring agent in lipsticks, cream eyeshadows and contour sticks thanks to its ability to bind pigments while keeping the texture pliable.

Illipe butter pairs well with other butters, such as Cupuacu Butter, which adds softness and improves spreadability, or Shealoe Butter, which boosts the overall emollient effect of a formula. An interesting combination also appears with Blueberry Butter, where the dense structure of illipe balances the lighter, fast-absorbing qualities of blueberry butter for a well rounded cream or balm.

In formulations the butter is introduced during the oil phase, melted in a water bath at around 60-70 degrees Celsius together with other solid ingredients. Once fully melted, the phase should be cooled to 40-45 degrees before heat-sensitive actives, fragrance oils or preservatives are added. Recommended usage rates range from 5 to 20 percent depending on the desired firmness - higher concentrations suit lip balms and sticks, while 5-10 percent is usually enough for creams and lotions. Store the butter in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve its quality over time.

The 25 gram size is well suited for home cosmetic making and small trial batches when testing a new formula before scaling up to a larger production run.

Firming Night Balm with Illipe Butter

Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter - 9 g

Candelilla wax - 3 g

Sweet almond oil - 8 g

Evening primrose oil - 4 g

Vitamin E - 0.5 g

Essential oil of geranium - 4 drops

Melt the butter and wax together in a water bath at about 65 degrees Celsius, stirring until fully combined. Remove from heat, let the mixture cool to around 45 degrees, then blend in the almond oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin E and geranium essential oil. Pour into small jars and allow the balm to set at room temperature for several hours before sealing and labeling.