Shea Butter Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair, Baby Care & More

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Benefits and uses of shea butter
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Shea Butter Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair, Baby Care & More

You all know I’m a fan of using coconut oil and olive oil on skin and hair, but another all-star natural moisturizer around the home is pure shea butter. (Something about the name just even sounds luxurious, doesn’t it?)

Whether or not you have dry skin like me, you’ll love shea butter’s benefits. It can bring oily and combination skin types back into balance too. (My teens love it for this reason.)

This luxurious butter is very thick and solid at room temperature but has a buttery, rich consistency that makes it ideal to use as a natural eye cream, lip balm, or body butter.

Thanks to other unique properties, shea butter does more than moisturize and hydrate. It delivers vital health benefits like being anti-inflammatory and transporting anti-aging fatty acids right into the skin.

Many recommend it for sunburns or dark spots. It’s especially great for sensitive skin. There are so many shea butter benefits and uses!

So what exactly is it?

What Is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a fat produced from the seeds and kernels of the shea (Karite) tree. The shea tree is native to West Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Its butter has been used internally and externally for centuries across the continent to soothe the skin.

This ancient African remedy is off-white and solid at room temperature, but it doesn’t leave your skin too greasy.

This skin superfood has been used in Africa and many other places for years to improve skin and hair. It also has a long history of medicinal use, such as in wound care and even treating leprosy.

While cocoa butter is hard at body temperature and coconut oil is liquid, shea butter is in between them as it starts to melt at body temperature when you touch it. This unique quality makes it easier to handle, cut, and measure than other moisturizers.

I love how it quickly absorbs, so it doesn’t stain clothes.

Shea tree butter has a strong, nutty, kind of earthy honey smell, likely from the cinnamic acid when you open the lid. (Don’t worry, you won’t feel like you smell like shea nuts for the rest of the day after using it.)

Shea Butter Benefits for Health

So what are the benefits of raw shea butter?

Shea butter is more than just a nice lotion or butter for dry skin. It is nutrient-rich and may help with some skin conditions when part of a healthy lifestyle.

  • Moisturizes – The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for the skin. It remedies dry skin and helps protect the skin’s natural oils.
  • Reduces Inflammation – Due to its cinnamic acid and other natural properties, shea butter is anti-inflammatory. One compound, in particular, lupeol cinnamate, reduces skin inflammation and even potentially helps prevent skin mutations. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for acne.
  • Smoothes Skin – Shea aids in natural collagen production and nourishes the skin to prevent drying. With long-term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction.
  • Penetrates Skin – Many studies show that it is especially good at penetrating the skin and contains 60% fat, making it highly emollient (similar to how almond and jojoba oil polish the skin.) It’s high in essential fatty acids, which help build the skin barrier.
  • Provides Essential Fatty Acids – What makes shea butter unique is the fatty acid profile. In addition to cinnamic acid, shea contains oleic, stearic, linoleic, palmitic, arachidic, and linolenic acid. Together, these make it the perfect boost for cellular energy and regeneration.
  • Gives UV Protection – It may offer mild UV protection, up to SPF ~6.
  • Supplies Vitamins A and E – High in these nutrients, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on the skin may also help with dermatitis and psoriasis.
  • Reduces Joint Pain – A 2016 study found that it relieves the symptoms of osteoarthritis in rats and protects cartilage from destruction and degeneration.

More good news: it’s great to use on kids and babies too! A 2015 pediatric study demonstrated an eczema cream with shea butter to perform just as well as the standard ceramide products. In addition, it had a high compliance rate which means that the kids didn’t mind using it.

I’ve only ever used it externally. Ask a doctor or dermatologist before using, especially if you or your family have any underlying skin conditions.

Additionally, those with nut allergies should avoid or check with an allergist. Heating it does not remove the allergic risk.

What Are Some Good Uses for Shea Butter?

Here’s one you may not expect: some nationalities cook with/eat shea butter! (I have not tried it, but if you have, let me know in the comments!) I’ve even seen it in some chocolate recipes.

There are differing opinions on whether or not it’s healthy to eat. Since some studies suggest that ingesting shea butter may interfere with the digestion of other proteins, I use it externally only.

There are so many other uses for it externally. You can use shea alone or easily combined with other natural care products and ingredients.

Shea butter is one of the most versatile natural beauty ingredients, and I use it daily in some form. For years, I’ve used it in everything from my homemade lotion bars and original magnesium body butter to homemade lip balms and healing salves.

It has many hydrating benefits, and not just for the skin! You’ll also find shea butter in many hair products.

Shea Butter for Hair

Unless you have thick beautiful curls, pure shea butter by itself will weigh down your hair, but it’s lovely mixed into natural hair care. You won’t see it as the first ingredient—it’s usually further down. Sometimes, ingredients list it as “Butyrospermum Parkii” with shea in parentheses.

For years, I searched for a natural shampoo and conditioner that actually worked without having harsh or toxic ingredients. When I could not find it, I made my own skin and hair care line, Wellnesse.

Shea butter works well on both the hair and scalp. That’s why we use it as one of the main ingredients in my Wellnesse Curly Conditioner.

It helps seal cuticles for healthy and bouncy curls. It may help prevent breakage due to its high fatty acid content and mild UV protection.

If you struggle with dandruff, shea may help your scalp.

Shea Butter for Skin

I also love to use shea on my skin, both by itself and combined with other ingredients. It’s so easy to add to my skincare routine. Even though it feels thick, it melts right into my skin when I rub it.

So what does shea butter do for skin? Some of my favorite skincare uses are:

  • By itself for face and body as a natural moisturizer
  • Before sun or beach exposure to replenish skin
  • After sunburns to hydrate the skin
  • To ward off stretch marks
  • As a natural nail and cuticle cream
  • To plump up the delicate tissue and fine lines around the eyes
  • On sore and raw noses during a cold or flu
  • On scars to naturally help collagen production (I used it on my c-section scar!)
  • By itself for low-grade sun protection
  • To soothe dry and cracked feet and hands
  • As a natural baby-care product
  • By itself on the lips
  • On the eyelids before applying makeup to make it last longer
  • To improve skin elasticity (some even say it helps with cellulite)
  • To lighten skin and reduce dark spots
  • As a method to reduce acne blemishes and acne scars
  • To prevent insect bites

In addition to using it by itself, it works well in many DIY personal care recipes.

DIY Recipes

In my homemade products, I like to mix shea with essential oils. I use it to help with dryness and anti-aging in all of these DIY recipes:

You can also emulsify it with other oils using the technique in my lotion recipe to get the most health benefits out of it.

What Kind Is Better?

There is a vast variation in the quality of shea butter, depending on the manufacturer and source. A 2010 study found that Eastern African shea tree nuts had significantly higher fat and oleic acid contents than Western countries. On the other hand, Western African shea butter is higher in stearic acid.

If you’ve tried shea butter before and haven’t liked it, try a different brand or check the expiration date. Shea butter may go rancid after 2-3 years, especially if it’s been exposed to heat or sunlight.

The American Shea Butter Institute warns that one of the main healing components in shea butter, cinnamic acid, is less present in inferior brands. They have issued classifications of different quality grades, and the best with the highest cinnamic acid content is Grade A.

I only use raw, unrefined, Grade A shea butter. Many refined ones are odor-free and bleached to be white. The refining process removes some of the beneficial properties like antioxidants and vitamins. I also don’t want to put bleach on my skin if I can help it.

If you have a container of it laying around, I’d still finish that up and then be sure to buy some Grade A when you run out.

To get the most antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory power, here is what to buy.

The Best Shea Butter to Buy

I order this raw shea butter and have had great results, but you can also find good shea butter brands at many local health food stores. When it comes to choosing a better raw shea butter, just look for one that is:

  • raw/unrefined
  • unbleached
  • organic
  • Grade A

Choosing a shea butter with these claims will help you avoid solvents and other toxic chemicals sometimes used during the extraction process.

(If you have a Thrive Market membership, their brand is also fair trade.)

Caution: Before Using

If you get unrefined shea butter, that means it has not been filtered and may contain trace particles of the shea nut, hull, or kernels. To prevent irritated skin, you’ll want to strain it. The tiny pieces can be rough, even if you don’t feel them.

I often gently heat mine until it just melts (around 110?) and then pour through a cheesecloth or strainer to remove any particles. Once strained, I dump it into these (or any) silicone molds in pre-measured amounts (tablespoons, ¼ cup, etc.) to be ready for natural beauty recipes.

Tips for Using and Storing Shea Butter

  • Store it out of direct light or heat. Several sources suggest it may go rancid or expire within 12-24 months, but I never have a jar of it that long since it has so many uses.
  • If your shea butter gets crumbly, it may be a little cold. Holding it between your hands to warm it will help it soak in well.
  • TIP for use in DIY: If the shea butter is too thick, hard, or crumbly for what you’re trying to do, hold it in your hands for a moment to warm it. If needed, melt it over low heat (about 110 degrees) and then use. Do not let it get close to boiling, or you may lose some of the most beneficial healing properties.

The benefits of shea butter are vast! It’s an excellent part of your natural skincare routine arsenal. How will you and your family use it? Leave it out on your bathroom counter and watch it disappear!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Have you ever used shea butter? How did it work for you? 

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

186 responses to “Shea Butter Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair, Baby Care & More”

  1. George Avatar

    Hi,
    Thanks very much for the great work you are doing for the whole world.

    I have a dry rough and web-like skin and rough hard palm. Can you please help me with recipes to remedy this skin problem.

    1. Kenya Avatar

      You could use Shea butter mixed with a drop of two or water and wear spa gloves to bed. In the morning your hands will feel like a new born baby! I do this to my feet when needed ..when they feel rough or I notice a crack in the heel within two days after applying Shea butter with water and wearing socks, my feet are soooo soft…I mean uber soft!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      You can. Some people find it too moisturizing but others find it works incredibly. I’d experiment and figure out if it works for you.

  2. Marie Avatar

    Shea butter isn’t scarce in West Africa, so if it’s not available in other parts of Africa you can always find it in West Africa

  3. Joyce Maisiba Avatar
    Joyce Maisiba

    Thanks Stella for your comment I will try the Purdy Arms Market in Nairobi next time.

  4. Joyce Maisiba Avatar
    Joyce Maisiba

    I asked a friend of mine to buy me Shea Butter fro. U.S because I could not find it in Africa (Kenya) she bought me Shea Mositureser, is it the same as Shea Butter cream?

    1. Stella Avatar

      Joyce you should look at the ingredient list and this will tell you whether it is 100% Shea Butter or if other additives have been added. But Unrefined Shea Butter is available at Purdy Arms Organic Market on Saturdays, i really find it hard to believe you cannot find Shea Butter in Kenya and yet the Shea tree grows just next door in northern Uganda.

  5. Brenda M Avatar

    Hello. Would like to use Shea butter on a surgical scar. I’m confused as to which form of Shea butter to buy. Color? Is white bad?

    1. Sabrina Avatar

      You can’t cure real stretch marks with any cream or lotion. Creams may help prevent stretch marks but once they are present, they stay forever.

  6. Jamia Avatar

    Thanks for the list of great ways to use shea butter. I use it almost every day after showering on my feet~it really helps a ton on preventing them from getting dried out, callused, and crusty! I bought it awhile back to make a homemade deodorant and occasionally use for other things too.

  7. Prissy Avatar

    Hi,
    I will like to apply shea butter on my face .This is because am experiencing rashes on my face and i think it is because of the cream i used on my face called fair and white.Can i go ahead and mix the cream with shea butter or i should apply the shea butter alone?

  8. Stella Avatar

    Shea butter isn’t for external use only…. One having cough can heat it and drink and the cough would go in no time

  9. Gail Avatar

    Hi Wellness Mama. Am loving reading all the comments about Shea Butter and as a new purchaser to it, I find my choice was wrong as the jar I bought is white. I guess I have been duped. Luckily I got the small jar, so can I still use it to get some benefit, or should I throw it out and buy the unrefined kind?

  10. Chisom Nwankwo Avatar
    Chisom Nwankwo

    Hi Mama,
    Can Shea butter correct wrongly toned skin that was caused due to wrong cream and soap on my wife.
    She has promised never to use them again,so we seek solution to the little damages the previous soap and cream caused.
    Thanks in advance

  11. Sara Avatar

    Hi Katie,
    Great article and lots of useful info, thanks a mil for that. Please I need your advice am doing laser hair removal for my face and body, can I use Shea butter ony face and body or will it promot body hair growth as it does with head hair?

    Thanks in advance!

  12. Seddy Lupasha Henderson Avatar
    Seddy Lupasha Henderson

    Wow wow wow what can I say about shea butter it’s a miracle on my face and body. But more especially on my face I have a very scne prone skin I have used a lot of products but I give credit to shea butter. Oh my goodness my skin is like a baby skin just after using it for 1 day it’s a miracle cure for me.

  13. Jane emeka-ngoka Avatar
    Jane emeka-ngoka

    Shea butter is wonderful. I use it as my evening cream and it is very good. Some times I mix it with sweet almond oil, it is another miracle if used as eye cream.

  14. theresa Avatar

    You can only get Shea Butter that has been graded by The American Shea Butter Institute. The one from Mountain is not certified Grade A. If it does not carry the seal it is not certified.

  15. Dena Sweeney Avatar
    Dena Sweeney

    To make it easier to apply you can melt it down some or let a glob sit on your skin for a while before gently rubbing it in circular motions on your face. To help with the smell you can add your favorite smelling essential oil and mix well. I love to add sweet almond oil because I love the scent and it softens the Shea. Also lavender oil at bedtime is a nice mix too. I use it on my neck and chest area. It’s really good stuff.

  16. Serenity Avatar

    I ordered top quality shea butter. My understanding is that it’s supposed to stink. I put it on my baby because she has extremely dry skin. I hate the smell too much to put it on myself though. Any suggestions for changing the smell?

  17. Nancy Avatar

    I find the Shea butter difficult to spread on my face. It feels great after applied but leaves my face red and shiny. Any suggestions to make it easier to apply?

    1. Sabrina Avatar

      You can slightly melt it at low temperature and mix it with something that you can put on your face, like a face lotion. For the body it’s easier as you may add coconut butter, a little good olive oil. For better whipping I sometimes add a little distilled water. But water makes the cream perishable. You need to make small batches and I’d keep it in the fridge. Creams with no water last much longer, but the water in the cream makes it better for the skin.

  18. U B SULEIMAN Avatar
    U B SULEIMAN

    In my place or town there are abundant Shea butter trees with variety of species and most often than not; the community do not know the usefulness of the Shea nut butter. They only apply traditional method of tapping the oil. How can i be useful to my community by engaging in the exploration of the Shea butter oil?

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