Shorea Butter: A Borneo Treasure

Shorea, Illipe, or Tengkawang butter, this produce has many names. It is made from the nuts of Shorea Stenoptera trees grown in the rainforest of Borneo. These magnificent trees can reach 60 meters and are also a valuable source of hardwood.

In Indonesia there are sixteen recognized species of Tengkawang trees as Non-Timber Forest Products, with thirteen of them protected under the Government Regulation PP No. 7/1999. Shorea Stenoptera is the most common species and the tree can yield up to 800 kg of nuts per harvest, which happens every two to three years.

 

Facts about shorea butter

INCI	Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
Color	Beige to light yellow
Melting point	28-37°C
Fatty acid content	Stearic acid 42% Oleic acid 36% Palmitic acid 20% Linoleic acid <1%
Main benefits	Hydrates and protects skin, eliminates flaky skin

 

 

Cultural significance of Shorea tree

The tree plays a vital role in Kalimantan livelihoods. Local communities harvest the nuts (mainly December-March) by manually collected them from the floor by hands, and process them using traditional methods to extract the butter, which can be a valuable source of income. The Dayak people, for instance, have integrated Shorea nuts collection and processing into their cultural practices.

 

Skin benefits of Shorea butter

Due to the similarity in its chemical composition, shorea butter is often used as cocoa butter alternative both in food and cosmetic industry.

One of the remarkable features of Shorea butter is its high content of both stearic and oleic acid. Stearic acid helps to improve the texture of the skin by smoothing out rough patches and reducing inflammation, making it suitable for sensitive or irritated skin, whereas oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that helps to lock in moisture and create a protective barrier on the skin.

This makes Shorea butter an excellent emollient, helping to moisturize and hydrate the skin, and leaving it soft, supple, and smooth. It is particularly beneficial for dry, dehydrated, or mature skin, as it helps to replenish the skin's natural moisture and improve its elasticity, resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion.

We are a big fan of shorea butter and incorporated it in our beloved Barrier Protecting Hydrating Stick. Not only because of its moisturizing effects, but also the ability to give body to the formula due to its melting point. Unlike some of the natural butters out there, shorea butter can provide long-lasting moisture without leaving a greasy feel on the skin.

 

Nurturing nature with sustainable harvest

Kalimantan deforestation disrupts rainforests, harming biodiversity, and ecosystem balance. Shorea trees, naturally abundant in West Kalimantan's rainforest, play a key role in preserving this biodiversity. At MOIN, we want to make sure that our products make as little impact on the environment as possible. That's one of the reasons why we chose Shorea butter as one of our hero ingredients. We believe that nourishing skin goes hand in hand with nurturing nature.

We purchased our organic Shorea butter from Forestwise, a company based in the Netherlands with the factory in Sintang, West Kalimantan. By developing a market for rainforest products, their mission is to stop deforestation and increase the economic value of the remaining forest in Borneo.

 

Forestwise sources Shorea nuts from five regencies (Kabupaten) in West Kalimantan: Kapuas Hulu, Melawi, Sintang, Sanggau, and Sekadau, which renowned for their rich Shorea nut supply. Through collaborations with over 1000 Dayak people across these areas, Forestwise promotes sustainable practices.

Shorea nuts are obtained through a combination of wild collection and cultivation within traditional forest garden systems called Tembawang that has been used for centuries by local communities. Wild-collected nuts are meticulously washed in rivers and sun-dried before being transported to the Forestwise facility for cold-pressing to extract the butter.

Existing impact

Since 2018, Forestwise has achieved significant results in carrying their mission.

• They have safeguarded 36,000 hectares of rainforest through protection agreements. With a goal of reaching 500,000 hectares by 2030, they are committed to preserving biodiversity and combating deforestation
• Forestwise directly impacts over 1000 collectors/farmers across 31 villages by offering above-market prices for Shorea nuts. This translates to an estimated 16.6% increase in average annual income over three years. Additionally, selling 1000 kg of nuts per season can generate an extra Rp6,000,000, significantly improving livelihoods and reducing poverty
• Committed to fair trade, Forestwise pays Rp6,000 per kg, nearly double the market rate. This empowers collectors and fosters a more equitable value chain, motivating them to continue protecting their forests
• Training and technical assistance are provided to the communities. By equpping knowledge and skills for sustainable harvesting practies, these communities can actively participate in the long-term sustainability of the industry

 

Shorea butter, with its rich cultural connection to the rainforests of Borneo, offer more than just a luxurious skincare ingredient. By choosing Shorea butter sourced through initiatives like Forestwise, you are making a conscious decision for your skin and the planet.

Sustainable sourcing empowers local communities, protects biodiversity, and promotes healthy rainforests. So, nex time you reach Barrier Protecting Hydrating Stick, remember the story behind it - a story of natural, community, and a commitment to a more sustainable future.

This article was created in partnership with Forestwise. For more information on their initiatives, please go to their Instagram and visit their website.