Hair masks are the highest-leverage format for chebe powder: 30–60 minutes of skin-shaft contact under heat or wrap, which maximises the coating and oil-binding mechanism. This page documents the formulation parameters that turn raw chebe powder into a finished hair-mask SKU.
Why this ingredient for this application
Mask format gives chebe enough contact time to bind fully to the carrier oils/butters and adhere to the hair shaft. Compared to a leave-in or rinse-off product, masks deposit roughly 3× more chebe per application. The mask format is also where customers feel the difference earliest in the use cycle, which drives repeat purchase.
Spec & inclusion
Inclusion: 5–10% chebe powder in finished mask. Carrier base options: shea butter (40–50%), raw cocoa butter (10–20%), carrier oil (jojoba / argan / coconut, 20–30%), emulsifier system (cetyl alcohol + cetearyl alcohol, 3–5%). Target viscosity: 50,000–120,000 cP at 25°C. Particle disperses better when chebe is pre-blended into the oil phase before emulsification.
Formulation notes
Chebe powder is non-water-soluble, so an emulsion or anhydrous formulation is required. For anhydrous (butter+oil) bases, particle suspension is straightforward. For aqueous emulsions, use a stabiliser (xanthan gum 0.2–0.5%) to prevent settling on shelf. Sandalwood note from authentic chebe is detectable in finished product; consider whether your brand voice wants that scent profile.
Sourcing & documentation
Every shipment includes a per-batch Certificate of Analysis with the appropriate grade panel, a phytosanitary certificate issued in Cotonou, and named cooperative attribution. Food grade and cosmetic grade availability varies by ingredient — see grade differences.