Differences between East African and West African shea butters? At room temperature East African shea butter is semi-solid and is much softer than West African shea butter. East African is creamier and silky making it easier to apply. East African shea butter is slightly in higher therapeutic properties. East African shea butter has a milder scent than the nutty scented West African shea butter. East African Shea Butter is highly nourishing and is remarkably effective in healing dry and cracked skin, eczema, psoriasis and sun damaged skin.