Shea butter

What it is

Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii). It is concentrated in fatty acids, triglycerides and wax esters, and also contains vitamins A and E and phytosterols. It is solid at room temperature and melts on contact with skin.

Function

Shea butter functions as an emollient, softening the upper layer of skin and supporting the skin barrier. Its fatty acid profile is dominated by oleic and stearic acids, which condition skin and help reduce moisture loss.

Properties

Shea butter carries a comedogenic rating of around 0 to 2, one of the lowest of the commonly used plant butters, and shea-specific allergic reactions are rare. It is generally well tolerated across skin types, though those with a confirmed tree-nut allergy are commonly advised to patch test.

In tattoo aftercare

Shea butter is a common base in natural tattoo balms and daily tattoo moisturisers, valued for conditioning skin and supporting the barrier. Rich butters are often preferred for later-stage healing and long-term maintenance rather than the very first days on a fresh tattoo, where lighter formulas are sometimes chosen.

Considerations

Well tolerated for most people. A confirmed tree-nut allergy is a reason to patch test first. On very fresh tattoos some prefer a lighter product, as rich butters can feel heavy.

This is general, factual information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice or a product recommendation. If your skin reacts to anything during healing, stop using it and speak to your artist or a GP.