Shea butter has been part of skin care for a very long time. It's one of the most widely used natural moisturizers there is, and it shows up across our formulas for one reason: it does the job we need it to do, every time.
Here's what it is, what it does for your skin, and where you'll find it in our products.
What shea butter is
Shea butter is the fat pressed from the nuts of the shea tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, which grows across West Africa. It has been used there for skin and hair care for centuries.
It's rich in fatty acids, mainly oleic and stearic acid, and naturally contains vitamins A and E.
What it does for your skin
It softens. Shea melts at skin temperature, so it spreads easily and sinks in, leaving skin soft without a heavy film.
It helps skin hold moisture. Its fatty acids help reinforce the outer layer of your skin, the part that keeps hydration in. That's why it's most noticeable on dry skin, and on skin coming out of cold air or warm water.
It comforts dry, tight skin. After a day of wind, cold or dry indoor heat, shea is a reliable way to make skin feel comfortable again.
It works with other ingredients. Shea pairs well with oils, essential oils, magnesium and mineral salts, which is why it fits so many formulas.
Where you'll find it in our products
Every bath bomb we make carries a blend of five oils and butters: coconut oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil and shea butter. As the bomb fizzes, they spread through the water, and you step out with your skin softer than when you got in. You'll find the blend in the hand-painted Signature, the Geode and the Color Changing bath bombs.
Our Naturally Crafted bath bombs are made with sweet almond oil.
What to look for in a shea product
Where it sits on the ingredient list. Ingredients are listed by quantity. Shea near the top means it's a meaningful part of the formula.
What it's paired with. Shea works best as part of a thoughtful formula, alongside other oils and ingredients that each have their own job. Every ingredient in our formulas is there for what it does, and the full list is on each product page.
A note on allergies. Shea comes from a tree nut. If you have a nut allergy, check the ingredients before you order.
The short version
Shea butter softens skin, helps it hold moisture and works well with almost everything around it. That's why it's in every one of our five-oil bath bombs. Find yours in our bath bombs, and read more about our ingredient standards.
