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Shea Butter

Butyrospermum Parkii

Shea butter deeply moisturises, supports the skin barrier, and soothes irritation — gentle enough for newborns and sensitive skin.

Shea Butter
The information on this page was compiled by us using research from various sources (included in the references section). It is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way a medical claim about our products.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is the fat expressed from the kernels of the West African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It’s rich in oleic and stearic acids and a notable unsaponifiable fraction (triterpenes, phenols, sterols) linked to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.PMCCIR Safety

Key Skin Benefits (with evidence)

1) Intense moisturising & barrier support

Topical plant lipids, including shea, reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and help restore barrier homeostasis. A dermatology review notes shea’s unsaponifiables (triterpenes, tocopherols, phenols, sterols) underpin these effects. In paediatric use, a shea-butter emollient in diapers kept more babies erythema-free than a non-emollient diaper and performed on par with petrolatum-based emollient — real-world evidence of gentle barrier protection.PMC+1

2) Soothes inflammation

In vitro work shows shea butter down-regulates inflammatory pathways (iNOS, COX-2, cytokines via NF-κB). Clinically, a cream containing shea butter extract delivered similar efficacy to a ceramide-precursor product for eczema, supporting its role in calming irritated skin.PMCPubMedHKMJ

3) Antioxidant support

Shea’s unsaponifiables include triterpene alcohols (e.g., amyrins, lupeol) and phenolics that contribute to antioxidant activity, helping defend skin lipids from oxidative stress.CIR Safety

4) Gentle for newborns & sensitive skin

A randomised on-baby study found diapers delivering a shea butter–based emollient mitigated diaper-area redness and were well tolerated — practical evidence for infant-safe barrier care. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel also concludes shea-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitising.PMCCIR Safety

Note: Raw/unrefined shea can naturally contain trace latex-like compounds; people with known latex allergy should patch-test or choose refined shea. Overall nut-allergy risk with refined shea appears very low.Cleveland ClinicFARRP

How Shea Butter Works in Natural Nine

In Natural Nine, shea butter is one of the primary emollients. Its fatty acids soften and cushion the skin, while the unsaponifiables help calm redness and support the barrier alongside beeswax (breathable occlusion) and zinc oxide (soothing/protective). We use cosmetic-grade shea in a balanced, non-greasy blend designed to be newborn-gentle yet effective for very dry, sensitive skin.PMC

FAQs

Question

Is shea butter comedogenic?

Answer

It’s a richer butter; most people tolerate it well on body and dry areas. If you’re very acne-prone, patch-test on the face first and use sparingly.

Question

Does shea butter have SPF?

Answer

Shea contains cinnamate esters that can absorb UV, but it is not a sunscreen and shouldn’t replace broad-spectrum SPF.CIR Safety

Question

Is it safe for babies?

Answer

Evidence from on-baby clinical testing of a shea-based emollient shows good tolerance and reduced erythema vs. no-emollient controls. If your child has a known latex allergy, choose refined shea or patch-test.PMCCleveland Clinic

References

  1. Lin TK et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. (shear section

    composition, anti-inflammatory data; eczema study parity).PMC

  2. CIR Expert Panel. Safety Assessment of Butyrospermum parkii (Shea)–Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Conclusion

    safe as used when non-sensitising; includes triterpene/cinnamate composition.CIR Safety

  3. O’Connor RJ et al., 2025. Clinical Evaluation of a Diaper Containing a Shea Butter–Based Emollient. Shea emollient protected diapered skin; well tolerated.<a href="https

    //pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12118526/">PMC

  4. Hon KL et al., 2015. HKMJ. Cream with shea butter extract had similar efficacy to ceramide-precursor product in eczema.<a href="https

    //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26314567/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">PubMedHKMJ

  5. Allergy context

    Refined shea has very low nut-allergy risk (FARRP/AAAAI); latex-allergy caution for raw shea (Cleveland Clinic).FARRPCleveland Clinic

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The information on this page was compiled by us using research from various sources (included in the references section). It is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way a medical claim about our products.