Shea Butter

Shea butter is one of the most celebrated natural skincare ingredients in the world, with a history spanning centuries in West African traditional medicine.

About

INCI Name

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter

Origin

Plant-derived. Shea butter is derived from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) and has been used for centuries in traditional African medicine and cosmetics for its moisturising and protective properties.

Key Skin Benefits

• Deep moisturisation — Shea butter is one of nature's best emollients. It improves skin barrier function, which in turn decreases moisture loss through the outermost layers of the skin, keeping skin soft and deeply hydrated.

• Barrier mimicking — Research suggests shea butter has topical effects similar to ceramides — the polar lipids responsible for the permeability of the skin barrier — making it exceptionally effective at sealing moisture in.

• Antioxidant protection — Shea butter contains antioxidants including vitamins A and E, along with many of the same compounds found in green tea, helping prevent free radical damage when applied to the skin

How To Use

Skin Type

Suitable for all skin types. Especially beneficial for dry, sensitive, mature, and eczema-prone skin. Generally well tolerated on oily and acne-prone skin in moderate use.

Comedogenic Rating

0–2 out of 5 — low to non-comedogenic, making it one of the safest butters for facial use.

Pairs Well With

• Mango butter — creates a balanced, lighter body butter blend

• Almond oil — adds slip and enhances absorption

• Rosehip oil — amplifies antioxidant protection

Used In

Calm & Clarify - Moringa Facial Bar

Turmeric Revival Facial Bar

F.A.Q’s

• Is shea butter safe for sensitive or eczema-prone skin?

  Yes, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that work at the molecular level while also rebuilding the skin barrier, making it especially powerful for people dealing with flare-prone and sensitive skin

• What is the difference between unrefined and refined shea butter?

  Unrefined shea butter retains more of its natural vitamins, fatty acids, and bioactive compounds, making it generally more beneficial for skin. Refined shea has a milder scent and is easier to work into formulas, but loses some of its natural potency.

• Can I use shea butter on acne-prone skin?

  Shea butter is unlikely to cause oily skin, and its anti-inflammatory and emollient properties may actually benefit acne-prone skin by preventing the dryness that triggers excess sebum production.