What it is
Shea butter is a triglyceride fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree, Vitellaria paradoxa. It is dominated by stearic and oleic fatty acids, which together make up roughly 85 to 90 percent of its fat content and govern its texture, with stearic acid lending firmness and oleic acid lending softness. In cosmetics it works as an emollient and occlusive moisturizer, softening skin and helping limit moisture loss, and official ingredient databases list its functions as skin conditioning and viscosity controlling. It also contains minor phenolic compounds, several of which are catechins. In sunscreens it is most often used in richer creams and sticks to improve feel and skin comfort.
Safety & warnings
Shea butter is generally well tolerated and widely used in moisturizers, lip products, and hair care. Because it is derived from a tree nut, people with known tree nut sensitivities may wish to be cautious and patch test, although refined cosmetic shea butter is broadly used without issue.
Origin & sourcing
Shea butter is a natural plant fat from the shea tree, which grows in the dry savanna belt of West Africa stretching from Senegal eastward to Sudan, across some 21 African countries. The nuts are traditionally harvested and processed by women in West African communities using manual methods to render the fat.
History
Shea butter has a long documented history, with evidence of its production by the 14th century, and it was being imported into Britain by 1846.
Questions everyone asks
What is shea butter made from?
It is a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), made up mainly of stearic and oleic fatty acids.
What does shea butter do in skincare?
It acts as an emollient and occlusive moisturizer, softening the skin and helping reduce moisture loss; databases list its roles as skin conditioning and viscosity controlling.
Is shea butter a concern for people with nut allergies?
It comes from a tree nut, so those with tree nut sensitivities may want to be cautious and patch test, though refined cosmetic shea butter is widely used without problems.