{"id":5378,"date":"2023-11-07T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/?p=5378"},"modified":"2024-01-22T12:36:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T12:36:23","slug":"ingredient-deep-dive-shea-butter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/ingredient-deep-dive-shea-butter\/","title":{"rendered":"Ingredient Deep Dive: Shea Butter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Rich,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ingredient Deep Dive: Shea Butter<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to skincare, ingredients should be your number one concern. Texture, smell and packaging are important factors, but when it comes down to it, what goes on your face is what matters most. That\u2019s why we have our Ingredient Deep Dive<\/a> series, to demystify your skincare and give you the lowdown on the very best ingredients.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we\u2019re taking a look at shea butter, the sometimes misunderstood moisturiser. With a little help from our expert Dermatology Team<\/a>, you\u2019ll get the full story on this super soother.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is shea butter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shea butter (pronounced shay<\/em>, not she-ah<\/em>) originates from the seeds of the shea fruit tree, native to western and central Africa. The kernels are removed from the seeds, ground into a powder and boiled. This allows the butter solids to form and rise to the surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shea butter\u2019s natural off-white colour, smooth texture and natural origin make it a popular ingredient in cosmetic products, but it\u2019s also been used for medicinal purposes, and in food \u2013 either to eat or to cook with. It\u2019s also the main ingredient in African black soap \u2013 a popular natural soap among the African diaspora, and growing in popularity in the UK and\u00a0US.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is shea butter so great?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professor Kathrin Schreckenberg<\/a> from the Center for International Forestry Research<\/a> writes, \u201cShea butter’s hydrating, protecting and softening properties make it a valuable ingredient in skincare creams and shampoos.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shea butter has a naturally high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, so you\u2019ll often find it in ultra-hydrating moisturisers, or in natural remedies for dry or inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis<\/a> and dandruff<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has a cooling, calming effect on inflamed or irritated skin, while its occlusive and emollient properties help to lock in moisture to prevent water loss, and protect the skin from environmental damage<\/a>. This makes it a popular ingredient for winter<\/a> skincare routines and hydrating lip balms.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, shea butter\u2019s healing properties can help fade acne<\/a> and wound scars. \u201cMoisturisers containing barrier-friendly ingredients like shea butter are great at repairing our barrier<\/a> and protecting it.\u201d, explains Dr Malvina Cunningham<\/a>, Consultant Dermatologist for Skin + Me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is shea butter comedogenic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the whole, shea butter is non-comedogenic<\/a> \u2013 which means it shouldn\u2019t clog pores or cause spots. Despite being a natural butter, there is an ongoing debate over whether it\u2019s likely to break you out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most people, shea butter is non-comedogenic, as it\u2019s naturally antimicrobial, but it\u2019s important to remember that everyone\u2019s skin is different \u2013 just because it shouldn\u2019t clog pores, doesn\u2019t mean it won\u2019t. A good rule of thumb is to patch test or try a sample of a product you want to use, and see what happens before you commit to using it as part of your daily routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does shea butter have any side effects?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Other than a very small risk of allergies (particularly if you\u2019re already allergic to tree nuts), and the possibility of breakouts, shea butter has no known side effects. It\u2019s soothing, anti-inflammatory properties mean it\u2019s unlikely to cause flakiness or peeling<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How should I use shea butter in my routine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have dry, sensitive skin or feel like you need a hit of hydration in the winter months, look for a moisturiser with shea butter, as its emollient properties will help with water retention in the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for lip care<\/a>, shea butter should be a mainstay of your routine \u2013 especially when it gets colder, as your lips are more prone to chafing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for all over bodycare<\/a>, you can\u2019t go wrong with a luxurious body butter. Scented or fragrance-free, so long as it\u2019s got shea butter, you can expect smooth and supple skin from head to toe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

New to Skin + Me? <\/strong>Get your first month of personalised skincare for \u00a34.99 with promo code DOSE \u2013 complete our quick consultation here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for a routine refresh? <\/strong>Add the Dream Routine to your Skin + Me subscription<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In need of a restock? <\/strong>Head to The Skincare Shop<\/a> for one-off purchases of your Routine Essentials.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shea butter is nature\u2019s answer for dry skin, but it\u2019s got a reputation among those with acne. Have we been too quick to judge? Find out here, on The Dose. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":179265348,"featured_media":5379,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2140,2196,1366],"tags":[2483,2486,2481,2490,2482,2480,2477,2488,2474,2484,2475,2478,2485,2471,2473,2472,2487,2489,2476,2479],"class_list":["post-5378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bodycare","category-ingredients","category-routine","tag-anti-aging-skincare","tag-healthy-skin-hydration","tag-natural-skin-moisturiser","tag-natural-skincare-ingredient","tag-nourishing-skin-treatment","tag-organic-shea-butter","tag-shea-butter-and-skin-elasticity","tag-shea-butter-beauty-routine","tag-shea-butter-benefits","tag-shea-butter-creams","tag-shea-butter-diy-skincare","tag-shea-butter-for-dry-skin","tag-shea-butter-for-radiant-skin","tag-shea-butter-for-sensitive-skin","tag-shea-butter-for-soft-skin","tag-shea-butter-for-wrinkles","tag-shea-butter-healing-properties","tag-shea-butter-products","tag-shea-butter-properties","tag-skincare-with-shea-butter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5378","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/179265348"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5378"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5378\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5382,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5378\/revisions\/5382"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}