Dealers in shea butter sales say they smell a boom in business next month as the harmattan has started.

They said, the rise in the patronage of shea butter popular known as "nkuto" occurred during every harmattan season, which made it logical to make the prediction.

This was revealed by a survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday.

The survey, which sought to determine the connection between harmattan and the patronage of creams also revealed that shea butter sold more than any other cream during the dry season. 

Susana Akua Atta, who sells shea butter at Mallam market in Accra explained that the cream was more capable of fighting dry skin as compared to its competitors. 

She also said shea butter had some ingredients, which made it effective for fighting some health problems. 

A cosmetic shop owner at Dansoman, Yaa Aboagyewaa Mensah, said the cream moisturised the skin and made it look bright adding “we use nkuto for babies, which makes them look beautiful." 

A Sheabutter wholesaler at Lapaz, Appiah Kubi, said the cream was the only solution to fighting the harmattan, explaining that the cream was strong enough to stand dry air.

“The cream will make you look fresh all time. It makes your skin soft and relaxed," he said. 

Adelaide Akosua Korantemaa, a beautician and skin therapist at Madina said shea butter was better than all other creams as she explained that it had very significant nutrients capable of militating against skin diseases such as pimples, rashes, boils, and wrinkles. 

She recommended the cream to everyone, “it was the best fit for all type skin colours”.

Cynthia Appiah, a nurse said Shea butter was normally recommended for patients during the dry season.

She explained that, unlike some creams which contained some chemicals which could cause skin irritation and bleaching, nkuto had a natural composition, which made it appropriate for patients.

Shea butter is slightly yellowish or ivory coloured natural fat extracted from the fruit of the shea tree by crushing and boiling, widely used in cosmetics as a moisturiser and an emollient, as cooking oil in West Africa, and sometimes used in the chocolate industry as a substitute for cocoa butter.