As a beauty writer, it’s only natural that I enjoy coming across a trendy new skin care ingredient. But while new ingredients are exciting for the beauty industry, I can’t help but remain a loyalist to the classics. Shea butter, one of nature’s most useful beauty gifts to humanity, falls in this category of classics that we can’t get enough of — and for good reason.
“Shea butter can be used not only on the face, but on the entire body, ideally for softening, conditioning and smoothing the skin,” says Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Jason Emer. “Shea butter contains high concentrations of vitamins, including vitamins A and E, as well as fatty acids like stearic, palmitic and linoleic acids.”
According to Dr. Emer, the vitamins found in shea butter can help to improve skin texture and promote antioxidant activity. Other benefits of using shea butter on the body is its natural anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It deeply moisturizes dry skin and gives the complexion a natural glow from all that hydration. It can reduce skin inflammation, eczema and improve skin elasticity, too.
Although, that’s not all shea butter can do. It’s also a top ingredient in hair care, too. Shea butter is intensely hydrating for the hair and scalp, as it works to seal moisture into coarse hair and create unparalleled softness.
Now that we’ve made it clear how important shea butter is in the beauty world, it’s time to start shopping for it. To assist you in picking out the best options, we’ve gathered a list of top shea butter products for skin, hair and body.
The best shea butter products, according to experts and tested by editors
Most budget friendly: SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream
- Holds a lot of product
- Smells amazing
- Can feel heavy in hair
Size: 12.0 fluid ounces | Other key ingredients: Glycerin | Recommended use: Hair
“This product by SheaMoisture was a go-to of mine for a long time and I need to buy more!” says commerce editor Amanda Fama. “I have wavy hair, and this cream made my subtle curls feel softer and shinier than usual,” she says.
This enhancing cream is designed specifically for curly or wavy hair and has over 16,500 five-star ratings on Amazon.
Affordable expert pick: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
- Good for dry skin
- Softens skin
- Doesn't feel greasy
- May irritate sensitive skin
Size: 2.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, allantoin | Recommended use: Skin (face and body)
Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, a top cosmetic and medical dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation, recommends this Ultra Repair Cream from First Aid Beauty. [It is] "formulated with skin barrier-supporting essential ceramides, soothing shea butter, colloidal oatmeal and antioxidants," she explains.
Feels soft on lips: Nudeskin Nudestix Hydra-Peptide Lip Butter
- Makes lips feel soft
- Moisturizes lips
- Scent can be overpowering
Size: 0.34 fluid ounce | Other key ingredients: Avocado butter | Recommended use: Lips
“This combines shea butter with avocado oil and peptides to give the lips rejuvenation and pucker while simultaneously helping skin renewal and repair,” says Dr. Emer. “This is great for those who lick their lips or are constantly chapped, and for those who want to anti-age the lips.” As a bonus, this formula is vegan, too.
Skin-tightening:Skinfix barrier+ Strengthening and Moisturizing Triple Lipid-Peptide Refillable Cream
- Very hydrating
- Moisturizes dry skin
- May cause irritation
Size: 1.7 oz. | Other key ingredients: Glycerin | Recommended use: Skin (face)
"I recommend this shea butter product because it is suitable for all skin types and works to brighten the skin, hydrate, and tighten the skin," says Dr. Noah Gratch, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
This hydrating cream is also formulated with glycerin and helps with anti-aging, according to the brand.
Formulated with niacinamide: Youth To The People Hydrate + Glow Dream Body Butter
- Super moisturizing
- Leaves skin feeling soft
- Jar may crack easily
Size: 1.7 oz. | Other key ingredients: Jojoba oil, niacinamide | Recommended use: Skin (body)
"I recommend this because it is very moisturizing, packed with ingredients jojoba, shea and cupuaçu butters which are great for long lasting hydration," explains Gratch. "Additionally, it firms and soothes the skin, leaving the skin looking more radiant," he adds.
"This is lightly fragranced, so if you have more sensitive skin, I would test a patch area to ensure it does not cause irritation," advises Gratch.
"Delicious" scent: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
- Hydrating
- Smells nice
- May cause burning
Size: 0.5 oz. | Other key ingredients: Vegan waxes, Murumuru seed butter | Recommended use: Lips
Murphy-Rose is a big fan of this glossy balm (her favorite is beige vanilla) that she says smells delicious and is full of nourishing moisturizers like shea butter and murumuru seed butter. "These ultra moisturizing and protective balms double to provide the perfect amount of gloss and subtle tint," she explains.
Editor favorite: Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter
- A little goes a long way
- Pleasant scent
- Can be too thick for summer
Size: 8.10 fluid ounces | Other key ingredients: Bacuri butter | Recommended use: Skin (body)
Production associate Audrey Ekman can’t get enough of this Sol de Janeiro body butter, which became a staple in her winter body care routine the day it launched. “It’s deliciously thick and hydrating and is made with a ton of superstar ingredients — shea butter is the second ingredient!” says Ekman.
“A little goes a long way when I apply it immediately after I shower (3 months in, I’m barely halfway through my first tub), and it has seriously made my skin the softest it’s ever been. Plus, the warm vanilla scent is a crowd-pleaser — my boyfriend loves it,” Ekman raves.
Contains sunflower seed oil: L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream
- Softens skin
- Rich texture
- May run out quickly
Size: 7.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Glycerin, apricot oil, sunflower seed oil | Recommended use: Skin (body)
L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream "is richly moisturizing with shea butter, apricot oil and sunflower oil to nourish skin and lock-in moisture," explains Murphy-Rose. She recommends applying to damp skin for the best results.
Splurge option: Le Domaine Face Cream
- Easy to apply
- Good quality
- Expensive
Size: 1.7 oz. | Other key ingredients: Grape water, olive oil, glycerin | Recommended use: Skin (face)
"Le Domaine the Cream is rich in soothing and moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, organic olive oil, squalane, centella and green tea plus grape water derived from a luxe French winery," shares Murphy-Rose. "The aroma of its creative packaging always takes me back to wine country," she adds.
More shea butter products to shop
Enriched with vitamins A & E: SheaMoisture 100% Raw Shea Butter
- Very moisturizing
- Mild scent
- Can be thick
Size: 10.5 fluid ounces | Other key ingredients: Vitamins A and E | Recommended use: Hair and skin
This raw, organic shea butter option houses essential fatty acids and vitamins to soothe irritated skin. It’s important to note that this concentrated pick can feel a bit thick when first applied, but it still deeply permeates the skin rather quickly to treat all your skin woes. Since this shea butter option is in its purest form, it can be used anywhere — the face, body and hair included.
Contains Hyaluronic acid: GrandePout Plumping Lip Mask
- Restores moisture to lips
- Repairs dry lips
- Some didn't see plump results
Size: N/A | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Recommended use: Skin (body)
This pick touts 72 hours of moisture for cracked, peeling lips. In addition to shea butter, the hyaluronic acid in this berry mojito-flavored balm plumps and fights fine lines on the lips for a more youthful-looking pout.
Say goodbye to split ends: Frederic Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Mask
- Nourishes hair
- Can cause dryness
Size: 7.5 fluid ounces | Other key ingredients: Glycerin | Recommended use: Hair
To truly transform your hair into healthy strands that are worthy of starring in a shampoo commercial, try this at-home mask. A blend of shea butter, botanical extracts and monoi oil reduce split ends and diminish frizz for noticeably stronger hair after every use.
Smells nice: Moroccanoil Body Butter
- Velvety feel
- Some don't care for scent
Size: 6.7 fluid ounces | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Recommended use: Skin (body)
This nourishing mix of shea butter, argan oil and mango butter absorbs quickly and delivers moisture with every application. Scented with Moroccanoil’s signature scent, each application feels like you’ve transported yourself to a spa in the Mediterranean.
Shine bright: Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer
- Gels very well with skin
- Gets rid of flaky skin
- Thick consistency
Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Other key ingredients: Glycerin | Recommended use: Skin (face)
Farmacy’s Honey Halo moisturizer is a luxurious face cream that uses buckwheat honey, fig fruit extract and ceramides to soften the skin and combat dryness. The best part? Your skin will look dewy and radiant for hours after use.
Live in luxury: Oribe Imperial Blowout Transformative Styling Crème
- Provides added volume to hair
- Can be oily
Size: 5.0 fluid ounces | Other key ingredients: Imperial memory polymer | Recommended use: Hair
As one of the most innovative formulas we’ve seen in a while, this cream-to-oil-to-powder option helps consumers create a blowout that lasts for days. Using ingredients like shea butter, biotin and other essential fatty acids, this innovative pick strengthens and repairs the hair while also preventing future breakage. To use, simply emulsify the cream in your hands before working it through damp hair. Then, blow dry your locks as usual.
How we chose the best shea butter products
The Shop TODAY team found the best shea butter products using a few methods: enlisting the recommendations of three dermatologists, conducting market research and combing through various user reviews. We also asked our editors to share their favorite products with shea butter to round out the list.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Jason Emer, MD is a Los Angeles-based cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon.
- Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD is a top cosmetic and medical dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation at Newport Beach Dermatology & Plastic Surgery and the founder of Skincare Junkie.
- Dr. Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
