Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Shea butter; fat expressed from the kernels of Vitellaria paradoxa (syn. Butyrospermum parkii) nuts
Rich in oleic acid (~45%), stearic acid (~40%), and significant unsaponifiable fraction (karitene, phytosterols, tocopherols, triterpene alcohols); unsaponifiables provide anti-inflammatory and skin-regenerating activity; shea stearin used as cocoa butter equivalent in food industry; non-comedogenic (rating 0/5); COSMOS and Ecocert approved; RSPO/UTZ certified shea sourcing from West Africa recommended; one of the most important moisturising butters globally
Function & Common Use
Emollient / Skin conditioning / Occlusive / Hair conditioning
Plant Butter / Emollient
Body butters, moisturisers, lip balms, baby care, hair care, soaps
Plant derived
Concentration Limits
No limit
No limit
No limit
No limit
Baby restriction: None; widely used in baby skincare
Pregnancy: No specific restriction identified
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter safe to use in skincare?
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter has a Low concern rating from The Clean Sheet. Rich in oleic acid (~45%), stearic acid (~40%), and significant unsaponifiable fraction (karitene, phytosterols, tocopherols, triterpene alcohols); unsaponifiables provide anti-inflammatory and skin-regenerating activity; shea stearin used as cocoa butter equivalent in food industry; non-comedogenic (rating 0/5); COSMOS and Ecocert approved; RSPO/UTZ certified shea sourcing from West Africa recommended; one of the most important moisturising butters globally
Is Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter allowed in India?
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter is currently classified as "Permitted cosmetic ingredient under Cosmetics Rules 2020" under Indian cosmetics regulations. No concentration limit is specified for India.
What is Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter used for in cosmetics?
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter functions as: Emollient / Skin conditioning / Occlusive / Hair conditioning. It is commonly found in: Body butters, moisturisers, lip balms, baby care, hair care, soaps.
Can Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter cause an allergic reaction?
Yes. Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter has an allergen flag (Theoretical latex-fruit syndrome or tree nut cross-reactivity not established; shea nut allergy is extremely rare; CIR noted no significant sensitisation; contact urticaria from shea butter reported in isolated cases). If you have sensitive skin or known fragrance/contact allergies, patch-test products containing this ingredient before full use.
Is Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter safe for babies?
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter has baby/child restrictions: None; widely used in baby skincare. Avoid using products containing this ingredient on infants unless specifically formulated and labelled for baby use.
Regulatory Status
EU Annex: None
Identifiers
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