Work Putty starts with ingredients chosen for hardworking hands—including raw, unrefined shea butter, mango butter, beeswax, lanolin, and jojoba oil. If you’ve noticed small specks or differences in texture, here’s a closer look at what those ingredients bring to your tin.
Why we use unrefined shea butter
Raw, unrefined shea butter retains its characteristic color and earthy aroma. Unlike ingredients processed for a highly uniform appearance, unrefined shea can vary in shade and have streaks of color throughout it. Shea supplier guidance.
At SHIFT SHIELD™, shea butter is part of the foundation of Work Putty, alongside mango butter and the other ingredients that give the balm its familiar consistency.
Where the small brown specks come from
We’ve traced the small brown specks observed during our making process to the raw shea butter ingredient.
Traditional shea processing can leave small amounts of nut-derived material in the butter. Shea producer Baraka describes these natural solids as becoming more noticeable when the butter melts, with their darker appearance linked to roasting. That provides a possible explanation for specks introduced by raw shea, although it does not identify every particle in another supplier’s butter. Baraka’s explanation.
Specks and graininess are different
Small brown specks should not be confused with the grainy texture that butter can develop after melting and cooling.
Our shea supplier, Yellow Brick Road, explains that slow cooling can produce graininess in shea butter. Those texture changes are different from identifying the material inside a visible brown speck. Yellow Brick Road’s FAQ.
Have a question about your tin?
You deserve a straightforward answer about the product you use. If something in your Work Putty looks unexpected, contact Shift Shield with a clear photo, your order number, and any batch details on the packaging.
Set the tin aside if you’re unsure about it while we review your concern. There’s no need to reheat or filter the finished balm yourself.
Built for everyday workers
Knowing your ingredients is part of knowing your product. We’re proud to share what goes into Work Putty and to give questions about individual tins the attention they deserve.
Explore Work Putty and its ingredient information.
SHIFT SHIELD™ — Built for everyday workers by everyday workers.