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Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter.

What is "Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter" and what is its purpose?

Also known as "shea butter", "Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter" is derived from the kernels of shea fruit. It acts as a consistency agent. It not only smoothens the skin but also helps to maintain its hydration. "Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter" is found in many skincare products. The question that arises is: what is its purpose? Here's what you need to know about this ingredient.

Summary
Published October 29, 2021, updated on February 2, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 4 min read

Everything you need to know about "Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter".

Also known as the "butter tree", shea originates from Africa. It is commonly cultivated in Mali, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso.

It is composed of fatty acids, triglycerides, resinous esters, latex, phytosterols, and vitamins A, D and E, as well as wax esters.

In addition to easily penetrating the epidermis, this ingredient possesses numerous virtues. It serves as an ally for dry, mature, irritated, and flaky skin, as well as for those suffering from eczema.

What is the usefulness of shea butter?

Thanks to its softening and smoothing properties, shea butter is used in a wide range of skincare products. Its functions are as follows:

  • It preserves the skin's condition;

  • It decreases or increases the viscosity of skincare products;

  • It protects the scalp and skin from external aggressions.

Thanks to its numerous ingredients, shea butter is brimming with benefits for the skin:

  • It soothes, hydrates, and smoothens it;

  • It naturally regulates the skin's moisture;

  • It strengthens the lipid barrier of the cornea.

Thanks to its content of unsaponifiables and vitamins A, D, E and F, shea butter protects the skin, promotes healing and soothes irritations.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: In which treatments is it found?

Shea butter is found in many skincare products (lip balms, hand creams, anti-wrinkle treatments...). Our nourishing face cream formulated with hyaluronic acid contains shea butter. Thanks to its content of moisturising and lipid-replenishing active ingredients, this skincare product provides suppleness to the skin. Moreover, it reduces feelings of tightness. It is suitable for normal, combination and dry skin types.

You can also find it in the firming night mask made with prickly pear oil, a rich balm designed to nourish and regenerate weakened skin, and firm up tissues. The nourishing body cream also contains shea butter alongside squalane and plum oil to restore the skin's lipid barrier, reduce feelings of tightness and protect the skin from external aggressions. It is also present in the gel-to-oil stretch mark with baobab oil to prevent and visibly reduce the appearance of stretch marks, while providing suppleness and elasticity to the skin.

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