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Shea butter is a natural vegetable fat that has been used in Africa for centuries. It is extracted from the shea nut tree by crushing the nuts to extract the fat with a traditional technique. Shea butter is the a stable fat which makes it an ideal ingredient for cosmetics due to its ability to resist rancidity. It also has a high vitamin content, including vitamin A and E. Shea butter isn’t only beneficial to humans though; it is also beneficial for treating skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis.

I use it in many of my skincare recipes. Find below studies on its benefits to the skin.

  • The Use of Shea Butter as an Emollient for Eczema – Jacionline
  • Ahmed RN, et al. (2009). Antifungal profiles of extracts of Vitellaria paradoxa (shea-butter) bark.
    opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1597&context=ebl
  • Akhisa T, et al. (2010). Anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects of triterpene cinnamates and acetates from shea fat [Abstract].
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20484832
  • Ayankunle AA, et al. (2012). Antibacterial activity and sub-chronic toxicity studies of Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark extract. DOI:
    10.3923/jpt.2012.298.304
  • Carayanni VJ, et al. (2011). Comparing oil based ointment versus standard practice for the treatment of moderate burns in Greece: A trial based cost effectiveness evaluation. DOI:
    10.1186/1472-6882-11-122
  • Catteau L, et al. (2017). Synergy between ursolic and oleanolic acids from Vitellaria paradoxa leaf extract and β-Lactams against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: In vitro and in vivo activity and underlying mechanisms. DOI:
    10.3390/molecules22122245
  • Del Campo R, et al. (2017). Effect of miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) seed oil (MFSO) on the measurable improvement of hair breakage in women with damaged hair: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, eight-month trial.
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774910/
  • Draelos ZD. (2015). A pilot study investigating the efficacy of botanical anti-inflammatory agents in an OTC eczema therapy [Abstract]. DOI:
    10.1111/jocd.12199
  • Fodouop SPC, et al. (2017). Effects of Vitellaria paradoxa (C.F. Gaertn.) aqueous leaf extract administration on Salmonella typhimurium-infected rats. DOI:
    10.1186/s12906-017-1643-1
  • Hon KL, et al. (2015). Patient acceptability, efficacy, and skin biophysiology of a cream and cleanser containing lipid complex with shea butter extract versus a ceramide product for eczema. DOI:
    10.12809/hkmj144472
  • Israel MO. (2014). Effects of topical and dietary use of shea butter on animals. DOI:
    10.11648/j.ajls.20140205.18
  • Kao J-H, et al. (2016). Shea nut oil triterpene concentrate attenuates knee osteoarthritis development in rats: Evidence from knee joint histology. DOI:
    10.1371/journal.pone.0162022
  • Lin T-K, et al. (2018). Anti-Inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils [Abstract]. DOI:
    10.3390/ijms19010070
  • Lodén M, et al. (1996). Effects of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin [Abstract].
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8746332
  • Megnanou RM, et al. (2015). Improving the optimized shea butter quality: A great potential of utilization for common consumers and industrials. DOI:
    10.1186/s40064-015-1454-0
  • Micali G, et al. (2018). Evidence-based treatment of atopic dermatitis with topical moisturizers [Abstract]. DOI:
    10.23736/S0392-0488.18.05898-4
  • Olaitan PB, et al. (2011). Inhibitory activities of omega-3 fatty acids and traditional African remedies on keloid fibroblasts.
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905615/
  • Suter F, et al. (2016). Heptapeptide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for cosmetic anti-aging applications [Abstract]. DOI:
    10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.06.014
  • Tella A. (1979). Preliminary studies on nasal decongestant activity from the seed of the shea butter tree, Butyrospermum parkii.
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1429586/?page=2
  • Ud‐Din S, et al. (2016). Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): Prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae. DOI:
    10.1111/jdv.13223
  • Veraldi S, et al. (2009). Treatment of pruritus in mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis with a topical non-steroidal agent [Abstract].
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19537379