These Shea Butter Products Are Like a Blanket of Moisture for Your Skin and Lips

December 15, 2020
Sarah Ferguson
By: Sarah Ferguson | skincare.com by L'Oréal
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Whether it’s food or skin care you’re talking about, if there’s butter in the name, it has to be good. Shea butter is commonly found in products like body lotions. It’s known for being nourishing, but the fatty acid-rich ingredient has plenty of other benefits to offer as well. Here, we’re sharing what those are, plus listing some of our favorite shea butter-infused products, from a body acne-fighting soap to several decadent body butters.

The Skin Benefits of Shea Butter

Shea butter is derived from the kernels of the African shea tree. The lipid is naturally rich in vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids. It is considered an emollient, meaning that it helps hydrate, and smooth skin. Because of the different components that make up shea butter, some are known to have antioxidant properties. Shea butter can also help skin fight damaging free radicals that can cause premature aging and dark spots. Finally, all of these benefits make shea butter helpful in repairing the skin barrier.

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Our Editors’ Favorite Products With Shea Butter

Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie Shea Souffle

Carol’s Daughter is known for its hair products, but don’t sleep on this body soufflé. Blended with shea butter and almond oil this decadent body lotion provides for a nourishing, skin-softening and delicious-smelling treat.

Karité Creme Mains

Shea butter’s moisturizing properties make it a great hand cream ingredient. Karité uses raw, unrefined shea butter that is sustainably sourced from Ghana in its products. The line is also free of harsh chemicals and potential skin irritants like dyes, so your skin is treated to straight-up nourishment.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

It’s difficult to choose a favorite Kiehl’s product, but this one is definitely at the top of our list.

The body butter, formulated with shea and jojoba butters, is rich yet lightweight and can help restore and soften skin. For best results, apply the product on slightly damp skin after bathing or showering.

Grn Goods Lavender Cold Process Soap

Soap has a bad reputation for drying out skin, but you don’t have to worry if you use the right one. The Lavender Cold Process Soap is handmade with naturally-derived ingredients, including shea butter, lavender oil and sunflower oil, and without harsh ingredients like sulfates. The body bar is soothing, and conditioning.

KNC Beauty Supa Balm

Shea butter is frequently found in lip balms, but not all are created equally. The KNC Beauty Supa Balm is formulated with fatty acid-rich ingredients including shea butter, kukui seed oil and squalane. It’s designed to make lips feel instantly soft and moisturized and keep them like that all day long, too.

Photography and Art Direction: Chaunte Vaughn

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