It seems timely with the testing for the Freefrom skincare awards in full swing that I am doing my own skincare testing at home. Nothing to do with the awards, but everything to do with my quest to find natural and healthy food for my skin as well as my body.
A recent visit to my local health food shop gave way to a long chat with the lady working there whose daughter has quite bad eczema. She said that she buys shea butter, just plain simple shea butter, from the local ethnic shop and that it has worked wonders on her daughter’s skin.
Now I decided to do a bit of research into what shea butter really is since I’ve not really ever heard much spoken about it for dry skin. Why have I not discovered this before? It is the most amazing stuff and it’s just one ingredient, just shea butter, that’s it.
What is shea butter?
Shea butter is a solid fatty oil which is made from the fruit of the Karite or Mangifolia free found in West and Central Africa. It can also be called karite butter.
The fruit looks a bit like a coconut with a hard shell. The shell is broken, the pulp is removed and the hard nut inside, which looks like the beautiful woody seed inside an avocado is then crushed and beaten in a mortar and pestle to remove the fatty oil. Hard, back breaking work, and harvesting is traditionally done by rural women under the beating African sun (300,000 to 400,000 in Burkina Faso alone).
This is what the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) which is based in the US says about shea butter:
“We suggest you ask your allergist for advice about this. The shea nut is a tree nut that has not been widely used in foods in the past, but shea butter and shea oil are being used increasingly in lotions, bath products, shampoos, and cosmetics. Although no reactions to shea nut have been documented in the medical literature some doctors advise patients with tree nut allergy to use caution and avoid products that contain ingredients derived from the shea nut.”
An article from 2003 on the Reuters website entitled, “Shea nuts appear safe in allergy study” describes how scientists analysed the protein in the shea nut and compared it to that of other well known allergenic nuts. It contained much, much lower levels and is mostly made up of the beneficial fat and very little protein.
Whilst it is derived from a nut, “the researchers found that the principle immune molecule that would usually invoke an allergic response, immunoglobulin E, barely bound to the shea protein.”
Dr. Kanwaljit K. Chawla, a paediatrician in training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City who led the study said, “although shea nut in theory could be an allergy trigger, the evidence from the study suggests it’s not. At least the immune system does not appear to recognize it as a nut protein.”
So the advice is to use caution, but with the evidence above it’s worth giving it a try if you find somewhere that is willing to provide you with a testing sample. If you explain you have a nut allergy and are concerned about having a reaction you might get lucky. I haven’t found any evidence of true shea butter allergy at all. If it’s in a cosmetic product it’s far more likely you might be reacting to another ingredient, as these tests above prove. Remember though, someone, somewhere could be allergic to shea butter, and it could be you.
Try a tiny bit on small area of skin, and not your face. I’d suggest the inside of your wrist or the back of your neck, so if you do react it’s not going to be obvious to everyone and make you self conscious.
Benefits of shea butter
What is it about shea butter that makes it so great for your skin? Here are ten great reasons to give it a go.
- It’s jam packed full of vitamins including A,B,C,D,E,F and K
- It’s a great source of Calcium and Iron
- It’s completely natural and non toxic
- It’s even used in cooking as well as soap and beauty products
- It is know for its healing effects on burns, skin conditions, ulcerated skin, stretch marks, and dryness
- It contains beneficial fatty acids including: oleic acid (40-60%), stearic acid (20-50%), linoleic acid (3-11%), palmitic acid (2-9%), linolenic acid (<1%) and arachidic acid (<1%)
- These very clever vegetable fats help to promote cell regeneration and circulation, making it a wonderful healer and rejuvenator for troubled or aging skin
- It also contains natural, though limited, sun-protection (SPF 2-6)
- It can help to condition dry hair and split ends
- It’s just shea butter, one ingredient. What could be better?
The only thing to consider is the manufacturing process of the shea butter. Solvents such as hexane can be used during the process so it’s important to try to get hold of pure uncontaminated shea butter from a reputable source. There are different grades of shea butter which at present are not required to be stated on labelling. Look for fair trade shea butter and make sure you question and look fully into the production. I found some in my local African food shop.
Shea butter testing on dry, sensitive and eczematous skin
So, being very allergic to peanuts and most other nuts and also being blessed with very sensitive, dry and eczematous, atopic skin, I was a little dubious about trying it. I was very brave though and took a really tiny bit and rubbed it gently onto the inside of my left wrist, washed my hands thoroughly and waited. Nothing happened, but my wrist was lovely and silky smooth. So I have been experimenting by trying to moisturise one half of my body with pure shea butter and the other with my normal paraffin gloop.
I have to say, I’m really impressed. I don’t feel I need to put on more moisuriser until the end of the day, it’s not sticky or greasy and so far I’ve had no skin reactions what so ever. As yet I’ve not tried it on my face but I put some on the back of my neck this morning, and no itching. It’s looking good for the shea butter.
I can’t say there is a huge difference between the skin condition on my left side (Lucky left side is getting shea butter) and my right (Drew the short straw and gets Diprobase and Epaderm).
It does have a smell but I can’t quite put my finger on what it smells like. Shea butter I guess… Ha Ha. It comes in a solid form and looks just like ice cream and when you rub it in your palms it melts on contact with the warmth of your skin and becomes soft enough to moisurise without being greasy.
Africans have been using it on their skin and in their cooking for thousands of years. It’s the best kept beauty secret that everyone should know about. If it means we can be feeding our skin something natural and pure instead of man-made stuff we wouldn’t care to put into our mouths then it’s got to be good thing.
Beware of latex allergy cross reactions
If you are allergic to latex you could possibly react to shea butter as they are fairly closely related in the plant world so make sure you use with caution, do a small test area first and make sure you don’t react.
Anyone else tried it? Are you OK to use it? Or do you steer clear because you’ve been told it’s a nut?
You can buy Shea Butter Unrefined 100% Pure, Raw, Natural & Organic
Thanks for your article. I enjoyed it. I too have nuts allergies but have been good with shea. I have a tattoo that is a few weeks old and am trying it on that. It passed my inner wrist patch test first. Lol. We sound alike. Best wishes, Jo
Hi Jo, Hope the shea butter worked. I find it really soothing but I’m not sure about around my eyes. REcently I got very irritated but it’s hayfever season so it could have been just that. It’s awful at the moment. Have you ever tried bio oil? It’s great on scars, stretch marks etc. so I think would be good on a tattoo too. What’s the tattoo of? Brave you. Might get one that says, “I’m allergic to latex, nuts, dairy, celery, tomatoes…” Might be worth it because if I did somethign like that they’d be bound to find a cure!
I have lately been experimenting with making my own shea butter ‘ointment’. Wanting to limited the use steroid cremes for my eczema, I’ve been researching healthier and more natural options and came across shea butter.
I mix 50 grams of unrefined shea buttter, 7 ml sesame oil (or almond oil), 15 drops of lavender essential oil, 15 drops of geranium essential oil and 15 drops of chamomille essential oil. Mix well with a fork and wisk until smooth. The ‘ointment’ is slightly grainy, but melts easily by the heat of the palms.
My very dry skin just loves this blend, it relaxes and looses that horrible crusty feeling 🙂
Birgitte
I love this idea. I’ve just been using it neat. I am still using epaderm also sometimes because buying Shea butter does cost more. Mixing with oils sounds fab and will make it smell so much nicer. Am going to try that when I can afford to buy the oils!!! Thanks for sharing. Also have you ever tried Lush dream cream and dream wash? The dream wash is just such a treat.
One thing nobody talks about that you need to be mindful of is that shea butter contains a natural occurring latex. Interestingly, this is what gives it its moisture retaining benefits. So if you’re allergic or even sensitive to latex, you can, over time, react to shea butter. This is what happened to me, and it took forever to figure it out.
Thanks Annie, No I didn’t know this and I do have a latex allergy so this is good to know. So far I’ve been fine using shea butter so I’ll monitor things and watch for any signs of sensitivity. All these foods and plants are related in so many ways. Cross reactivity is such a complex issue. Thanks for sharing.
Have been using Pre de Provence Shea butter lip balm for years, no problem. Started using 100% butter on very dry knuckles. Lips fine with it. Knuckles? Swollen, itchy as heck, hives. Can’t figure it out. Balm for lips not 100% butter…castor, wax, Shea, fragrance. On knuckles? 100% butter. Can’t figure this out. Any ideas? Would be grateful.
Well that is really strange. It could be that you have developed an allergy to shea butter, I have heard it can cross react with latex allergy. Do you have a latex allergy? And maybe the lip balm has much less shea and so doesn’t cause a reaction. Unfortunately we are all rather special and our bodies can be allergic to any blooming thing they like. Not helpful I know but stop using the shea butter but maybe do a skin test on a clear bit of skin to see if that reacts to be sure. Hope it gets better soon.
Anyone with food, or chemical sensitivities should be VERY careful about using shea butter. I used an organic shea butter after researching that it was safe for sensitive skin. HUGE MISTAKE…I have been suffering with ‘nightmare’ hives now for 9 weeks. I have never had hives, or a skin rash before in my entire life. Due to this situation, I now can not use ANY products on my face. Everything now is causing a reaction. My face looks like I was burned, and I never put the shea butter on my face. Whatever you put on your body, goes into your blood stream, and then into your organs. I also learned after the fact, that shea butter has an element of latex in it, and I am sensitive to latex. I would not wish this experience on anyone!
Hi Renae, yes you’re right, it can cross react with latex. I was very careful when I tried it and didn’t have a problem. I’m so sorry that you did. I will make sure the blog is clear about this issue. Have you tried coconut butter instead?
Pls suggest me something in low budget…what can I use? I have a very sensitive skin with extremely dryness… Pls help
Hi! Was googling around for information on shea butter reaction when I found your blog 🙂 I am quite sure I cannot use shea butter. I have tried it many times and sooner or later I react to it. My dd used a lip balm with it once and she said it made her itch more too.
It’s weird, because I could use it at first but over time I think it makes me itch a bit. Nothing like a bad reaction, but I’m wondering if this is a latex cross reaction for me. I have quite a bad latex allergy. Such a shame because I love the idea of using ONE ingredient to moisturise my skin. I’m trying out coconut oil now. I can use stuff on my body but my face is sooo much more sensitive. Fingers crossed. I hate having to rely on the petroleum based stuff.
Hi, It is quite amazing that some of you are reacting to Shea butter. The truth of the matter is, not all Shea butter causes itch. Pure un-refined Shea butter is the solution, that is exactly what you need. Some of the Shea butter on the market which you often use have additives which could result to an allergic situation. However, pure unrefined shea butter is the way forward, it keeps your skin smooth, nice and fresh. I live in Ghana hence have access to quality Shea butter. Shea butter is our trusted companion. I could supply you with the Unrefined one. You will surely love it.
The hard bit is buying pure, natural shea butter. I have found it through Akamuti on Amazon but it sure is pricey. I have a nut allergy and I can use shea butter no problem. I must get myself a new pot!
Hi!
Well, I have recently had some horrible issue with my skin (face), and was attributing it to a new job (hot & sweaty), hormones (getting toward mid-thirties), or maybe the environment. Since turning 33, I had been using anti-aging creams, and wouldn’t you know, I began breaking out. Than out with the Acne treatments, and god what a nightmare. I give Africans credit, perhaps they have evolved with the Shea butter, but being of Asian descent, I have not. While it took me a while to realize it was all my favorite products with shea butter causing a reaction, once i cut them out, my problem skin went away. This was shocking, considering these products do make my skin luxurious and soft. It seems to cause no reactions on my body, but put it on my face, and its all over! I finally figured it out, with the timing of when i started these products, and the woman who makes angelface products finally clueing me into the fact that shea may cause a reaction if u are sensitive to latex, which i am. I am not allergic to nuts, and like I said, it never caused a reaction on my body, but my face has been a mess, until i went through all my natural products and got rid of anything with shea in it. I won’t even use it on my body anymore, because i don’t want to chance any residue ending up on my face. Hope this helps! For those who do have reactions, Angelface on Amazon makes amazing products shea free for the face, but i would still check any ingredients to be sure…
P.S. my symptoms did not feel like a typical allergic reaction. It did not itch. It just felt like very painful acne.
I am exactly the same, stuff I can use on my body no problem hates my face. I guess the skin so much more sensitive but it’s annoying when it’s your fave products. Consider also that unless you use pure Shea butter it could be ANY ingredient causing the problem.
Hi, It is quite amazing that some of you are reacting to Shea butter. The truth of the matter is, not all Shea butter causes itch. Pure un-refined Shea butter is the solution, that is exactly what you need. Some of the Shea butter on the market which you often use have additives which could result to an allergic situation. However, pure unrefined shea butter is the way forward, it keeps your skin smooth, nice and fresh. I live in Ghana hence have access to quality Shea butter. Shea butter is our trusted companion. I could supply you with the Unrefined one. You will surely love it.
I have used pure, raw, organic Shea and I also get a rashy itch. I am not allergic to latex or shea, but it causes red itchy bumps on my legs (like hundreds of tiny big bites). I thought it was a food allergy, but I’ve been tested and all negative results.
Ouch! Sounds nasty. You could be allergic to the shea butter itself. It would not be unheard of. Have you tried coconut oil? Hope it gets better soon.
What do you use on your face and around your eyes? My eyes are very easily irritated but I also the area around them is quite dry, especially this time of year. Even EVOO bothers me (as well as Coconut Oil).
What do you use?
Hi Kate, I do use pure 99% aloe vera gell around my eyes but this isn’t always moisturising enough. I also have Epaderm which is OK on any sensitive areas. I also like Pure Potions skin salvation which is really nice to use and doesn’t irritate my skin at all.
Thank you! What do use for daily face SPF?
Don’t do it! My gf just got some African Shea butter soap and i used it, now i’m itchy and bursting out in hives
Ah now, cj, what a shame you had a reaction. Just goes to prove you should always test a small area every time you use a new cosmetic or skincare product. Someone somewhere will react to something, even if most people don’t. Have you tried pure coconut oil?
Hi, I apparently have a bad allergy to shea butter. While it does not tend to contain the tree nut protein that triggers allergies in people sensitive to tree nuts, it does contain a latex protein that can trigger an allergic reaction, especially after repeated use, or in those sensitive to latex. I had used raw, unrefined shea butter many times before, but I recently used it exclusively on my face and hands repeatedly for about a week. At the end of that week, I suddenly developed an itchy rash wherever I had applied the shea butter. That rash got a lot worse, and it lasted 2-3 weeks after I discontinued use, until I went to a doctor for a steroid shot to make it stop.
Hi Renee, I have heard about the link with latex allergy so I’m sorry to hear you had a nasty reaction. I too have a latex allergy and used a small pot of pure organic shea butter on my eczema a while back. It seemed to work really well but it’s pricey compared to the usually stuff I get on prescription. I will be a little wary now having heard your experience. I also never put any on my face, that seems to be the most sensitive part of my body and if anything reacts it will there so I’m very cautious. Glad it’s healed up now and steer clear of that Shea butter! Have you tried coconut butter? Smells divine!
I have eczema and a severe latex allergy. I’ve noticed over the years that I can’t use shea butter because it breaks me out raises blisters. So this makes sense. I had never tied the two together.
I have used several lotions that contain shea butter. Each time I would have a red,itchy rash. I mentioned this to two different managers of “Bath and Body” shops. Both said that shea is NOT an allergen. Well, I bought a lotion that I thought was shea free and used it after my bath yesterday. I woke up this morning with hives down my arms (non itchy) and itchy ones on my legs. My husband looked at the ingredients list and said shea was in it. I no longer have doubts about the allergic reactions from it. I’m tired of salespeople who tell you that shea is NOT an allergen. And I no longer, will doubt it or test it..
Anyone can be allergic to anything really. It may not be one of the know allergens but it can cause skin sensitivity, which is different but still not pleasant for you if you’re getting skin rashes. I swear by Pure Potions Skin salvation at the moment for my sensitive eczema skin. It does not contain Shea butter: Its ingredients are: Olea Europaea (olive) fruit oil* , Cera Alba (beeswax), Carthamus Tinctorius (safflower) seed oil* , Cannabis Sativa (hemp) seed oil*, Calendula Officinalis (calendula) flower extract**, Chamomilla Recutita (chamomile) flower extract**, Stellaria Media (chickweed ) extract**, Urtica Dioica (nettle ) extract**. But technically anyone can react to anything. Hope you find something that works for your skin soon
Same! This was very educational. I instantly get contact dermatitis from shea butter and never would have guessed it’s because of my latex allergy.
Fascinating isn’t it. How the body can remember and connect these two things as similar.
I been using shea butter forever. Lately i find myself itching like crazy after applying ahea butter. All this began when i started buying shea butter from this particular company. They claim on their product that its unrefined. I do believe that additves may have been added the shea butter like many others to help make it more smoother. I will go back to my first company that i originally did business with and compare results to see if its just my skin or the shea butter.
Good luck! I’d be interested to hear which brands you’re using. I used to be able to get it in great chunks from a local ethnic shop but it closed down. I’ve bought Akamuti and others and find it works well, but is pricey and doesn’t smell that nice! Ha Ha. Good luck.
1oz melted raw shea butter 1oz blockbuster 1oz castor oil mix together use often
I have very dry skin with extremely sensitivity…pls some one suggest me a gd cleanser in low budget… And moisturizer or sunscreen…pls help
Check out the FreeFrom SkinCare Awards. I don’t really use a cleanser. https://www.freefromskincareawards.co.uk/ or alternatively try http://www.sugarpuffish.uk/, if you ask her I’m sure she can recommend something you can afford. I know some can be very expensive
I have had a severe and painful allergy by using Palmer’s raw Shea butter body lotion. I used it only twice, but broke out with a rash.
After using pure African (from gauna) unrefined gold Shea butter (purchased from the Plant Guru) I began to experience vestibular issues – severe feelings of vertigo / light headedness , blurred vision & balance issues. I had NO blistering or rash. The shea had caused Ototoxicity (due to the high levels of manganese in nuts). After removing the Shea from my daily routine, it took only a few days to begin noticing a difference & about 2+ weeks to return to normal. Ototoxcity can be temporary or permanent & once exposed there is a higher likelihood of experiencing ototoxicity again.
Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s harmless. You should still approach it with caution, as EVERYTHING has a side effect of some kind! I was super disappointed. I have a very sensitive system & can NOT use chemical filled products. Shea gave me radiant & beautiful skin in the 5 months I had used it before it all went haywire. If you are one of the lucky ones who can use it without problem, you will be hooked for life!
Gosh I have never heard of that! I actually stopped using it when my local shop closed down and I was unsure how to get organic and pure shea. I might revisit but your words above given me pause, I too have a very sensitive immune system. Always best to use caution and be in tune with your body and any reactions. Thanks so much for the comment.