Shea butter is a plant-derived fat from the nut of the Vitellaria paradoxa (formerly Butyrospermum parkii) tree, used in skincare to soften skin and reduce moisture loss. It is rich in fatty acids (oleic, stearic) and contains minor amounts of vitamins and unsaponifiables that contribute to its conditioning and soothing properties.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Comedogenicity / pore congestion | Uncommon | May contribute to clogged pores in acne-prone individuals due to its rich, occlusive nature. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Reported only rarely; refined shea butter contains very low residual nut protein, so reactions are infrequent even in tree-nut-sensitive individuals. |
| Skin irritation or redness | Rare | Occasional mild irritation, typically related to other formulation components rather than shea butter itself. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.