Barrier & Lipid ·
Shea Butter
What is it?
Shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii) is a plant-derived fat rich in fatty acids, used as an emollient and occlusive moisturizing ingredient in body and skin care products.
What does it do?
Commonly used as an emollient/occlusive to soften skin and reduce moisture loss. Tested clinically as part of multi-ingredient moisturizing formulations (alongside saccharide isomerate or colloidal oatmeal, for example) showing improvements in skin hydration and barrier recovery after skin procedures; standalone shea-butter-only efficacy data is limited.
Real products containing this
- Renew Your Dew Ceramide Butter — Standard Beauty
- Du-Pont Shea Butter Moisturiser — Lelive
- Serra Restore Cream — Lamelle
- Rooibos & Marula Body Butter — Africology
- African Black Soap Cleanser — Mbiri Natural Skincare
- Shea & Marula Body Butter — Hassteon Organix
- Shea Deep Moisture Cream — Black African Organics
Sources
Sources
- Efficacy and safety of combination cream of Stimu-tex AS (spent grain wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel oil, Butyrospermum Parkii shea butter extract) and saccharide isomerate after fractional CO2 laser
- Clinical and confocal evaluation of avenanthramides-based daily cleansing and emollient cream in pediatric population affected by atopic dermatitis and xerosis
This page provides general skincare information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Ingredient interactions and evidence summaries reflect published, cited sources — not a personal assessment of your skin. For medical skin conditions, rashes, pregnancy/lactation questions or persistent concerns, please consult a licensed dermatologist or HPCSA-registered practitioner.