Shea Butter
Shea butter: what a review of 27 clinical studies of oils and butters covers, how fatty acid profile affects skin, and where proper evidence was not found for shea butter itself.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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Overview and identity
Shea butter is a vegetable butter (a plant fat that is solid at room temperature). It is a skin and food ingredient and is different from cocoa butter, which FDA lists as a skin protectant; shea butter is not in that rule's list. [1]What the research shows
A 2022 review of 27 clinical studies on 17 vegetable oils and butters (including shea butter) for dermal use concluded that, in inflammation-affected skin, oils high in oleic acid and low in linoleic acid may cause additional structural damage to the outer skin layer, while oils high in linoleic acid and saturated fatty acids may have positive effects; in unaffected skin, oils high in oleic acid may not react negatively; and how often and how long an oil is used matters. [2] The abstract does not list shea results separately, and we did not read the shea studies, so we cannot say how shea performs. Proper evidence not found (in sources we could read) for shea butter specifically in randomized trials, or for allergy, interactions or comparison with cocoa butter.Safety
For skin. We have no sourced safety data. Do not swallow cosmetic butters.Frequently asked questions
Is shea butter better than cocoa butter?
We found no source comparing them. FDA recognizes cocoa butter, not shea butter, in its skin-protectant rule. [1]
References
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Part 347: Skin protectant drug products for over-the-counter human use, sections 347.10 (active ingredients) and 347.50 (labeling). Retrieved from the electronic CFR 2026-10-22.
- Poljsak N, Kocevar Glavac N. Vegetable Butters and Oils as Therapeutically and Cosmetically Active Ingredients for Dermal Use: A Review of Clinical Studies. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:868461. PubMed 35548366. 27 clinical studies, 17 oils and butters including shea butter.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.