Application Guide
Shea Butter
Barrier Repair & Deep Hydration
What it is, what it's made of, what it does
Shea butter is a fat from the nuts of Vitellaria paradoxa. West African shea typically contains roughly 40–50% stearic acid and 37–55% oleic acid, with smaller amounts of palmitic and linoleic acids. These saturated/unsaturated ratios explain why it's solid but melts on skin. A 2025 in-vitro study found that shea butter reduced TEWL by ~37.8% and increased skin hydration by ~58% after 24 hours, confirming real barrier and hydration effects, not just marketing language.
Key Properties
- 40–50% stearic acid content
- 37–55% oleic acid content
- Solid at room temperature, melts on skin
- Reduces TEWL by ~37.8%
- Increases skin hydration by ~58% after 24 hours
Useful when you're under pressure to deliver
Measurable barrier repair & hydration claims (TEWL + corneometry)
A single hero emollient that supports "repair," "sensitive skin," and "dry climate" claims in body butters, baby care, lip care, and therapeutic creams
Product Applications
Body Butters
Baby Care
Lip Care
Therapeutic Creams
Moisturizers
Hair Treatments