Shea Butter
Shea Butter
A rich, ivory butter from the nuts of the African shea tree — solid in the jar, melting into skin, and loved for the cushioned, protective softness it leaves behind. Hover any measure to see where shea sits on the scale.
What it is
Shea butter is the fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows across the savannahs of West Africa. It's solid at room temperature and melts at skin temperature, which is what makes it such a satisfying balm and barrier ingredient.
Beyond its fatty acids, shea is unusually rich in 'unsaponifiables' — a high fraction of non-fat compounds including vitamins and plant sterols — which is where much of its soothing, conditioning, barrier-supporting reputation comes from.
Quick Facts
The Tree & The Nut
The Shea Tree
The shea tree grows wild across the West African savannah and can take decades to mature and bear fruit — making each harvest a long-tended tradition.
The Nuts
Inside the tree's plum-like fruit sit the nuts, whose kernels are cracked, roasted and pressed into rich, ivory shea butter.
The Compound Profile
Shea balances two main fatty acids — oleic and stearic — which is why it's firm yet melts readily. The typical breakdown:
Shea's soothing reputation lives in its non-fat fraction:
Key Benefits
Deep Barrier Repair
Melts into a cushioning layer that helps protect and soften dry, stressed skin.
Rich Conditioning
A dense, buttery feel that gives balms structure and lasting comfort.
Soothing by Nature
Its high unsaponifiable content lends shea a naturally calming character.
Where you'll find it
Shea is the structural heart of our balms — the butter that gives them body, melt and barrier comfort. Browse everything it appears in, or start below.
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