Shea butter is a seed fat that comes from the shea tree, found in East and West tropical Africa
. It is used in cosmetic products due to its high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, which can help moisturize and soothe dry, itchy, and sensitive skin
. Shea butter works like an emollient, helping to soften and protect the skin by restoring the barrier between the skin and the outside environment
. It contains high levels of linoleic acid and oleic acid, which balance each other out and make it easy for the skin to fully absorb without leaving an oily residue
. Shea butter has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help minimize irritation caused by environmental factors and inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema
. While shea butter is generally considered safe when applied to the skin appropriately for up to 4 weeks, there is no good scientific evidence to support its use for many of the conditions it is commonly applied for
. Shea butter is a triglyceride derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid, and is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve, or lotion
. It is also used in food preparation in Africa and occasionally in the chocolate industry as a substitute for cocoa butter
. When choosing shea butter products, it is important to note that unrefined shea butter is minimally extracted and processed, while refined shea butter is exposed to high heat and chemical compounds that remove impurities, odor, and color, but also some of the butter's healing properties
