Help Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about our products, ingredients and certification, and how to order.
Products
What makes shea butter-based products different from those without shea butter?
Shea butter is a natural emollient widely used to condition hair and moisturise skin, especially in cold, dry seasons. Its high content of fatty acids locks moisture in, leaving skin and hair soft and hydrated.
It is also rich in unsaponifiable compounds, including triterpenes, tocopherols, phytosterols and catechins, which the skin absorbs. Products without shea butter lack these naturally occurring actives and rely on added ingredients to achieve their benefits.
Are TAMA products suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Yes. TAMA products are 100% natural, free from animal-derived ingredients and from synthetic or petroleum-derived ingredients, and are not tested on animals.
What is the difference between the shea butter soap and the black soap?
The shea butter soap is very moisturising because half of its oils are shea butter, which makes it ideal for dry skin.
The black soap has an antibacterial effect from neem oil, coconut oil and natural plant extracts that help soothe the skin and cleanse its surface.
When should I use the shea soap and when should I use the black soap?
Both can be used at any time. If you bathe several times a day, use the shea butter soap in the morning so your skin stays moisturised through the day. In the evening the black soap is a good choice, as its antibacterial properties leave skin feeling fresh and clean before sleep.
Why is the black soap black?
Its colour comes from ash made from sun-dried and roasted plantain skins, palm leaves, cocoa pods and tree bark. The ash is leached, and the dark leached water is used to saponify the shea butter and other oils.
Why is my hair oil or body oil sometimes firm or solid?
Both oils are made of natural fatty acids, which set at cooler temperatures (from about 19 °C), so they can solidify in transit. This is a sign of their natural composition. Stand the bottle in a bowl of tepid or warm (not hot) water and the oil will liquefy again within minutes without losing quality.
Ingredients & Certification
What is the difference between refined and unrefined shea butter?
Unrefined shea butter is creamy, pale yellow or ivory and has a distinct nutty scent. It is processed under controlled conditions with no added ingredients, which preserves its natural efficacy.
Refined shea butter is almost white with little or no scent. Refining involves chemical steps such as deodorising and bleaching that remove most of the bioactive content and reduce the butter’s nutritional value.
What is the difference between organic and conventional shea butter?
Organic shea butter comes from nuts gathered in reserved or wild areas free from farming and other human activity. It is produced under organic rules from nut picking to packaging, is fully traceable and documented, and is verified by a certifying body such as ECOCERT or the USDA National Organic Program.
Conventional shea butter is made from nuts that are not fully traceable, may come from parklands where human activity is uncontrolled, and is not certified organic.
Are TAMA products certified?
The shea butter in our products is certified 100% organic under the US National Organic Program (7 CFR Part 205) and by ECOCERT. SeKaf Ghana’s production conditions have also been inspected by ECOCERT against EC Regulation 834/2007.
TAMA products are notified on the European Commission’s Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) and are registered with Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority, the Ghana Standards Authority, Health Canada and the Kenya Ministry of Health.
Is SeKaf a fair trade company?
SeKaf Ghana is not currently a certified fair trade company and does not market products as fair trade. We do apply fair trade principles to uphold environmental, labour and development standards. SeKaf was created to reduce poverty in West Africa through a market-oriented approach, and social enterprise is at the core of why we exist.
Ordering & Delivery
Where can I buy TAMA products?
TAMA is available through our online shop and at retailers in Ghana and abroad. See the Where To Buy page for the full list of stockists.
Can I order larger quantities of pure shea butter?
Yes. For quantities of 1 kg or more, contact our sales team by email or telephone. Prices and delivery times depend on the order, and we will gladly prepare a personal offer.
What are the minimum order quantities, prices and freight costs for wholesale and export?
Minimum quantities depend on the product and destination, and freight costs depend on the quantity ordered and where it is going. We can ship both full container loads and smaller orders. Please contact us for current prices, promotions and a quotation.
What is your return and refund policy?
We accept returns for damaged or incorrect products reported promptly after delivery. For hygiene and safety, opened or used products do not qualify unless they are defective. The full details are in our policies.