Shea Butter

Best

Antioxidant

Shea Butter at a glance

  • Used as an emollient in skin care
  • Contains potent anti-aging antioxidants
  • Helps improve dry skin

Shea Butter description

Shea butter is an emollient skin care ingredint that can improve hydration, smooth and help with visible signs of aging. It’s also often listed by its former Latin name of _Butyrospermum parkii_ and current Latin name _Vitellaria paradoxa._ This plant lipid, extracted from the karite or shea tree, is used as an emollient in cosmetics and has smoothing properties for dry skin. Shea butter doesn’t just have a rich texture; it’s also a rich source of antioxidants, including quercetin, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin and epigallocatechin, as well as skin-replenishing fatty acids (stearic and linoleic). It is an excellent ingredient to see in products designed to improve dry skin.

Shea Butter references

  • Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, June 2011, pages 45-55
  • Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, October 2003, pages 6,268-6,273
  • Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, February 2009, page S41

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.