Shea Butter: What's That Strange Name on the Label?
Arin Editorial · how this is made
You see 'Butyrospermum Parkii Butter' on a cream or lip balm label. It sounds like a lab formula, but it's actually shea butter. A plant fat obtained from the fruit of the shea tree.
Where does it come from?
This ingredient is obtained from the fruit kernels of the shea tree, native to Central Africa. The tree's botanical name is Butyrospermum parkii, also called Vitellaria paradoxa. The resulting fat stays nearly solid at room temperature. It is known as shea butter.
What does it do for skin and hair?
Its main job is to soften skin and lock in moisture. Sources say it suits dry to very dry skin. Thanks to vitamin E and allantoin, it is also said to have a soothing effect on irritated skin. It softens hair strands and is often used in lip care.
Any other role in a formula?
Beyond skin care, it affects a product's consistency. It is listed among viscosity controlling agents, meaning it adjusts how freely a product flows. Its near-solid nature gives creams and balms a denser texture.
What's inside it?
Shea oil contains roughly 45-50% oleic acid, 30-41% stearic acid, 5-9% palmitic acid, and 4-5% linoleic acid. Its softening effect mostly comes from these fatty acids.
Today there is no specific restriction for this widely used cosmetic ingredient; in the US, shea nut oil is listed as GRAS for food.
It makes no difference whether the label says 'Butyrospermum Parkii Butter' or 'Shea Butter'; they are the same. This is not a concerning ingredient. You can look for it in dry skin and hair care products. Still, if you are trying a new product for the first time, testing it on a small area is a good habit.