Shea Butter

TYPE OF INGREDIENT​
Hydrating
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Body creams, balms

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SHEA BUTTER?

Shea butter is an effective hydrating ingredient that protects and maintains the skin barrier. By restoring lipids in the skin, shea butter allows the skin to retain moisture and reduces risk of dryness. Shea butter also has anti-inflammatory properties, and can help calm irritated and inflamed skin. It is a particularly helpful ingredient for those with eczema-prone skin. 

WHAT IS SHEA BUTTER?

Shea butter is a lipid derived from shea trees. It contains significant levels of vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties, and is rich in fatty acids such as linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acids.

shea-butter-in-a-wooden-bowl-2

IS SHEA BUTTER SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?

According to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, allergic reactions to shea butter are extremely rare. Shea butter is considered safe even in people with allergies to peanuts and tree nuts.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Sources:

Verma N, Chakrabarti R, Das RH, Gautam HK. Anti-inflammatory effects of shea butter through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, and cytokines via the Nf-κB pathway in LPS-activated J774 macrophage cells. J Complement Integr Med. 2012 Jan 12;9:Article 4. doi: 10.1515/1553-3840.1574. PMID: 22499721.

Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Dec 27;19(1):70. doi: 10.3390/ijms19010070. PMID: 29280987; PMCID: PMC5796020.

https://www.aaaai.org/allergist-resources/ask-the-expert/answers/old-ask-the-experts/shea-nut-butter

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH

Author

Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, is a dermatology resident physician at Weill Cornell Dermatology in New York City. Her clinical interests include skin of color dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and skincare education. She has been involved with medical writing for the last 10 years.