shea nut butter* ●
TL;DR. This ingredient primarily functions as an emollient and skin-conditioning lipid, adding cushion, softness, and a light occlusive feel. It also helps structure balms, creams, and body products by adding solidity and melt-on-skin texture.
What does shea nut butter* do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient primarily functions as an emollient and skin-conditioning lipid, adding cushion, softness, and a light occlusive feel. It also helps structure balms, creams, and body products by adding solidity and melt-on-skin texture.
Is shea nut butter* clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well-tolerated and has little clean-standard friction. Sensitization is uncommon, though highly sensitive users can react to any botanical lipid depending on refining quality and residual plant compounds.
Is shea nut butter* sustainable?
This material is plant-derived, renewable, and readily biodegradable. Its sustainability profile depends heavily on sourcing practices, with traceable, fairly traded supply chains offering better support for the producer communities behind it.
Is shea nut butter* COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic frameworks when sourced and processed according to the standard, typically through physical extraction and acceptable refining steps. It aligns well with Green Chemistry principles because it is renewable, biodegradable, and can be produced with relatively simple processing.
How does shea nut butter* work chemically?
The molecule profile is dominated by triglycerides rich in stearic and oleic fatty acids, plus a notable unsaponifiable fraction that contributes to skin feel and oxidative behavior. Typical use ranges are about 1 to 10% in creams and lotions, higher in balms and sticks, and it is generally stable across normal cosmetic pH because it sits in the oil phase rather than the water phase.
Last updated 2026-05-13