Shea Butter Key Facts
Rating: Best.
(Best / Excellent / Good / Average / Not Recommended)
Origin: Natural.
(Natural / Synthetic)
Vegan: Yes.
(Yes / No)
Functions: skin barrier strengthener, skin moisture booster, antioxidant, anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, anti-photoageing.
Suitability: all skin types particularly dry, sensitive and mature skin.
Shea Butter in Skincare
In skincare, shea butter (butyrospermum parkii) is often used as the moisturising agent in cream and lotion. It is very nourishing to the skin with immediate softening and comforting effects, particularly on dry skin.
The Skin Benefits of Shea Butter
1. Shea butter strengthens skin barrier function
Shea butter is rich in fatty acids which strengthen skin barrier function and reinforce skin's ability to retain moisture. Studies showed that shea butter is better than mineral oil and vaseline at preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
2. Shea butter protects skin from environmental damage and ageing
Shea butter contains powerful antioxidants and multivitamins which help neutralise free radicals, prevent oxidative damage and environmental skin ageing.
3. Shea butter helps prevent skin inflammation and irritation
Due to its excellent anti-inflammatory effects, shea butter helps prevent skin irritation and inflammation.
4. Shea butter protects the skin from sun damage
Both UVA and UVB can cause serious damage to skin cells including DNA damage which may lead to cancer development. Due to its cinnamic acid content, shea butter has a natural UV protection level between SPF 3 and 4.
Can all skin types benefit from shea butter?
Yes, all skin types can benefit from shea butter skincare products, however, due to its very nourishing and moisturising effects, shea butter is particularly beneficial to dry skin.
Can you use shea butter skincare products during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Yes, shea butter skincare products are safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Is there any ingredient recommended to be used together with shea butter?
Yes, there are some skincare ingredients which work synergistically with shea butter. The skin moisturising effects of shea butter can be enhanced by mixing it with hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate in skincare formulas. The skin soothing effects of shea butter can be enhanced by mixing it with panthenol or bisabolol. For best anti-wrinkle effects, look for shea butter skincare products which also contain 24 karat gold, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate and antioxidants like Rose Royale Supreme Anti-Wrinkle Rich Cream.
When is the best time to use shea butter skincare products?
Shea butter is not phototoxic. It doesn't cause photosensitivity. Shea butter has a natural UV protection of SPF 3 to 4. You can use shea butter skincare products at anytime during the day and night.
Skincare Products with Shea Butter
Rose Royale Supreme Anti-Wrinkle Rich Cream intensively firms, lifts and smoothes the appearance of the skin learn more >>>
Rose Royale Supreme Anti-Ageing Cream improves skin's elasticity, firmness and density learn more >>>
Author:
Henry Tianus is a multi-award-winning Anti-Ageing Scientist with 3 decades experience in skincare research and product development. Henry Tianus's articles have been read by people in more than 100 countries with USA and UK at the top of the list. Join Henry Tianus eNewsletter to receive the latest health and wellbeing tips.
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Scientific Sources: (1) Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018 Jan: 19(1): 70. (2) Influence of climate on the tocopherol content of shea butter, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004 May 19: 52(10): 2934-7. (3) Comparative sunscreen and stability studies of shea butter from Nigeria, Algerian Journal of Biosciences 3(2):077-084, December 2022.