How to care for your balm during warm weather—and what to do if it arrives soft or grainy.

At Beauté Nouveau, our all-natural products were created to be part of your daily ritual of nourishing self care. Made with all-natural ingredients and botanical oils and butters like shea, kokum and babassu, they’re free from synthetic stabilizers and emulsifiers. That’s part of what makes them so nourishing, but also more sensitive to temperature changes, especially in the warmer months.

Why Your Balm Might Melt or Go Grainy

Natural butters like shea butter contain a variety of fatty acids, each with different melting points. When your balm warms up (say, sitting in a delivery truck on a sunny day) and then cools down too slowly or unevenly, those fatty acids can crystallize at different rates. This is what causes that grainy or sandy texture.

It’s completely harmless, and doesn’t affect the balm’s effectiveness. But it can feel less luxurious than the silky smooth finish you’re expecting.

What to Do If Your Balm Arrives Melted

No need to panic. Here’s how to help your balm settle back into its best self:

If it's fully melted or liquidy:

1. Place the balm in the refrigerator as soon as possible.

2. Leave it undisturbed for a few hours (3–6 hours is ideal).

3. Once firm again, it’s ready to use—no further steps needed!

This rapid cooling helps prevent graininess by allowing the fatty acids in the shea butter to solidify uniformly.

What to Do If Your Balm Feels Grainy

If your balm already has a grainy texture, it can easily be restored with a little gentle heat.

Here’s how to smooth it out:

1. Remove the balm lid and place the jar in a double boiler on low heat—or in an oven-safe dish at around 170°F (or your oven's lowest temperature).

2. Allow the balm to melt slowly until it’s fully liquid. Do not overheat.

3. Once fully melted, carefully remove from heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.

4. Place the balm in the refrigerator for several hours, or until it has completely solidified.

This process helps the shea butter's fatty acids rebind and settle into a smooth, even texture again.

How We’re Helping During Warm Months

During the summer season, we ship early in the week and use expedited shipping to reduce the time your balm spends in warm delivery environments. While melting can still happen, know that we’ve taken every precaution to minimize it—and your balm is still perfectly safe and effective to use.

Nature is Beautiful—Even When It’s a Little Sensitive

Part of working with natural ingredients is embracing their quirks. Just like our skin, they respond to changes in the environment. With a little extra care, your balm will continue to nourish and support your rituals just the way it was intended.

Have questions or need help with your balm? We’re always here: hello@BeauteNouveau.com