Can shea butter increase the size of the buttocks?

Shea butter to enlarge the buttocks: fact or myth?

Shea butter is valued for its natural origin and nourishing, restorative properties. It also has notable effects on the buttocks, including the ability to increase volume. What does the evidence say? We examine the evidence in this article.

Published on July 10, 2025, by Manon, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading

Focus on the trend for natural treatments to enhance gluteal volume.

In recent years, the search for methods to enlarge the buttocks in one week, or even three days, has fuelled social media trends. Promises of rapid results attract a broad audience, as do traditional home remedies using natural ingredients like garlic or turmeric to sculpt the figure. In this context, so-called volumising formulations have flooded the market. They are sold as creams and as oils or gels in some cases and promise to increase the volume of specific target areas: buttocks, hips, chest, cheekbones or lips. Many are accompanied by self-massage recommendations to boost ingredient absorption and stimulate local circulation.

The mechanism of action of these formulations relies on the presence of phytoestrogens. These non-steroidal plant-derived compounds share a chemical structure similar to that of oestrogens in humans and can bind to receptors intended for oestrogens. They are found in fenugreek extracts or anemarrhena root. Other ingredients, such as certain plant oils, such as the sesame oil, are also promoted for their purported ability to nourish the skin and increase volume in specific body areas.

Phyto-oestrogens are used because oestrogens influence body fat distribution. Biologically, high oestrogen levels associate with a gynoid (pear-shaped) figure, characterised by a preferential fat accumulation around the hips and thighs rather than in the visceral region. Oestrogens exert their physiological effects via several receptors (ERα, ERβ, GPR30) present in adipocytes. They limit adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis and influence mTOR signalling, autophagy suppression, and adipocyte differentiation regulation.

In reality, so-called volumising treatments do not offer an effective solution to increase buttock or breast volume.

Indeed, phytoestrogens do not appear to have the same biological activity as oestrogens and their ability to interact with our receptors is limited. Evidence that phytoestrogens could stimulate a targeted increase in adipose tissue, whether by oral intake or topical massage, is lacking.

Shea butter: a natural alternative to increase buttock volume?

To date, no scientific study has demonstrated any capacity of shea butter to enlarge the buttocks or another area of the body, such as the chest.

By contrast, the shea butter is known for its nourishing and emollient properties, derived from its richness in unsaturated fatty acids, notably oleic acid. This natural ingredient is therefore particularly interesting for dry to very dry skin. With regular use, the shea butter helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, and improve skin suppleness and elasticity. While it does not affect fat storage, shea butter can visually enhance the appearance of the skin on the buttocks or bust, making it firmer and giving an impression of increased tone and definition. This remains an optical effect and does not reflect a true increase in volume.