If you're someone with dry skin, then chances are you have already used a skincare product that’s formulated with shea butter. Which has eventually made its way into the ingredients list of one or more of your favourite hydrating moisturisers or creams. But what is it? And how does it do what it does for the skin?
Shea Butter For Skin: Why It Is Great For Dry Skin & Product Recos
What Is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is a natural fat that comes from the shea tree nuts. It’s off-white or ivory in colour and is extensively used in making cosmetics because of its superior moisturising properties. But that’s not it, it has loads of other benefits for your skin, so hang on while we go through them.
Benefits Of Shea Butter For Skin
It moisturises skin: Shea butter works as an emollient (moisturising agent that forms a film on the skin) providing immense softness and hydration to the skin. Being a natural fat, it’s packed with several types of fatty acids — including lineoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids that help in improving the skin’s barrier, and also helps protect against environmental hazards like pollutants.
It’s anti-inflammatory: According to Healthline, the plant esters of shea butter have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce swelling and redness. They are also being used for treating dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
It's anti-fungal: Although more research is needed on these, it is said that shea tree products work well against skin infections caused by fungi like ringworm and athlete's foot.Can boost collagen: Shea butter contains triterpenes which are a naturally occurring chemical compounds that fight off collagen fibre destruction and may help minimise fine lines. Similarly, it can also reduce the appearance of scarring and stretch marks by encouraging healthy cell growth in some people.
It has SPF: No, you aren't supposed to skip on your sunscreen if you are applying shea butter since it only has an SPF of 3 to 4, but you can always layer it under your usual sun-protection products for slightly added protection.
It's rich in antioxidants: Shea butter contains vitamins A and E which have shown to prevent free radical damage when applied to the skin. While thorough research is still pending in this area, vitamin A and E are quite popularly used in anti-aging products.
Who Shouldn't Use Shea Butter On Skin?
Those who have tree-nut allergies: Yes, consumption as well as topical application of anything that triggers allergies for you is unsafe. If you are allergic to tree-nuts, it's best to give shea butter a miss.
If you have acne-prone skin: A number of sources on the internet suggest the opposite, but we personally feel that if you have acne-prone skin, you should avoid using shea butter since it may cause breakouts or clogged pores due to its heavy texture.
If you have oily skin: Shea butter has a comedogenic rating of 0-2, which is considered unlikely to clog pores and is generally considered safe for most skin types, but since it can be a little heavy or greasy on oily skin, it can cause your pores to clog.
LBB-tip: It is important to patch test and monitor your skin's reaction when incorporating shea butter or any new ingredient into your skincare routine.
Product Recommendations
The Body Shop 100% Natural Shea Butter
₹2095
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The Body Shop's shea butter is 100% and sourced ethically from Ghana, thanks to their Community Trade rules. The texture is creamy and whipped which helps it to melt into the skin with minimum rubbing or blending. This moisturising, multi-purpose butter can be used on the body, hair, face and lips and is especially great if your skin's feeling super dry.
Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5. Based on 121 ratings & 28 reviews
Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion for Sensitive Skin
₹350
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If you have dry skin, this lotion's going to be your best friend! Formulated with triple oat complex with oat oil and natural shea butter, this lotion claims to relieve, soothe extra-dry skin while moisturising it for a full twenty-four hours. While we already know about the wonders shea butter can do for dry skin, oatmeal is no less and can help restore skin's normal pH, and aid in the maintenance of skin's moisture barrier to help prevent and protect dry skin. Also, this lotion is fragrance-free, steroid-free and gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5. Based on 1171 ratings & 275 reviews
NIVEA Original Care Lip Balm
₹165
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The OG lip balm, everyone's been through a Nivea lip balm phase in their life and lets be honest— their lip balms have always been great. They're enriched with natural oils and shea butter with melt-in moisture formula that glides on the lips smoothly and covers them in a moisturising layer. While we love the colourless one for everyday, they have a variety of colours available in case you are into tinted lip balms.
Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5. Based on 10273 ratings & 1757 reviews
Palmers Raw Shea Butter Body Lotion
₹500
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If your skin's extra dry and feels parched like the Sahara desert, you need a super hydrating body lotion like this one from Palmer's that's thoroughly moisturising and rich. Raw Shea Butter combines with vitamin E and African marula oil in this nourishing formula that's a bit on the thicker side. The thick formula is not in the least bit greasy so you don't have to worry about any ickiness.
Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5. Based on 234 ratings & 61 reviews
L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream
₹4250
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A rich, luxurious feeling body butter is all one needs to beat winter dry skin. With 25% concentration of shea butter, it helps deliver intense nourishment to the skin, protecting it from dryness and maintaining its hydrolipidic (hydration layer of the skin) film. The pricing is a bit steep, (INR 4,250) but if your skin needs a body butter that leaves it feeling soft and nourished then this product is totally worth the price.
Nykaa Rating: 4.9/5. Based on 29 ratings & 9 reviews
