Shea Butter
INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii
Also known as: Vitellaria paradoxa
Shea butter is an emollient skin care ingredient that can
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What Is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is an emollient skin care ingredient that can improve hydration, smooth and help with visible signs of ageing. It’s also often listed by its former Latin name of Butyrospermum parkii and current Latin name Vitellaria paradoxa.
This plant lipid, extracted from the karite or shea tree, is used as an emollient in cosmetics and has smoothing properties for dry skin. Shea butter doesn’t just have a rich texture; it’s also a rich source of antioxidants, including quercetin, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin and epigallocatechin, as well as skin-replenishing fatty acids (stearic and linoleic). It is an excellent ingredient to see in products designed to improve dry skin.
Benefits for Your Skin
Clinical Evidence & References
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, June 2011, pages 45-55 View Study
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, October 2003, pages 6,268-6,273 View Study
- Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, February 2009, page S41 View Study
Published Research
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Urea in dermatological therapy International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012
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