Shea Butter is one of nature’s most effective moisturisers. It works by creating a soft, smooth barrier that locks in moisture and protects your skin from the elements, helping to soothe and restore comfort. It’s rich in vitamins and fatty acids that are essential for healthy-looking skin, making it a cornerstone of routines for dry, sensitive or mature skin types.
We’ve been making organic skin care in the UK since 1997, and we use certified organic Shea Butter in many of our products for its incredible ability to soothe and nourish. It’s gentle, effective and leaves your skin feeling calm and comfortable, without any greasiness.
At a glance
- Shea Butter is a rich natural fat extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree, prized for its intense moisturising properties
- Its high concentration of fatty acids and vitamins (like A and E) makes it ideal for softening skin and soothing irritation
- It helps to support the skin's barrier, protecting it from dryness and environmental damage
- Look for products featuring Shea Butter if you have dry, sensitive, mature or eczema-prone skin
- For very sensitive skin, try our Scent Free 24-Hour Cream, which uses Shea Butter to deliver lasting hydration
What is Shea Butter and why is it so good for skin?
Shea Butter is a rich, creamy fat that is extracted from the nuts of the Shea (Karite) tree, which is native to Africa. For centuries, it has been a go-to ingredient for skin care, thanks to its exceptional concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids.
What makes it so beneficial is its unique composition. It’s packed with oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids, which are fantastic for nourishing and moisturising the skin. It also contains antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin E, which help to protect the skin from damage caused by environmental aggressors.
This combination of fats and vitamins means that Shea Butter doesn’t just sit on the surface; it helps to reinforce your skin’s natural barrier, locking in moisture and reducing water loss. The result is skin that feels softer, smoother and much more comfortable.
The main skin benefits of Shea Butter
Using products containing Shea Butter can transform dry, uncomfortable skin. Its deeply nourishing properties absorb easily, providing relief and promoting a healthy, calm complexion.
Intense moisturisation
Shea Butter is an excellent emollient, which means it works to soften and smooth dry skin. It melts at body temperature, sinking in beautifully to leave your skin feeling supple and hydrated without a greasy residue. It’s particularly good for stubbornly dry areas like elbows, knees and hands.
Soothes sensitive skin
If your skin is easily irritated, Shea Butter can help to bring a feeling of calm. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe redness and sensitivity. We use it in many of our sensitive skin care products because it is so gentle and effective.
Supports skin resilience
The vitamins within Shea Butter, particularly Vitamin A, are known to support skin health. This makes it a great choice for mature skin or skin that is showing signs of stress or damage from the sun and cold weather, helping it to feel stronger and more resilient.
Our favourite organic Shea Butter skin care
We use certified organic Shea Butter across our face and body care ranges, especially in our Scent Free collection which is designed for very sensitive and allergy-prone skin.
A gentle cleanser for sensitive face
A cream cleanser is the kindest way to wash sensitive skin. Our Scent Free Cleanser & Make-up Remover uses nourishing Shea Butter to gently lift away make-up and impurities, leaving your skin feeling soft and clean, never tight.
Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
This fragrance-free cleanser is a sensitive skin essential!£30.00
A calming face cream for dry, sensitive skin
For daily hydration, our Scent Free 24-Hour Cream is a customer favourite. This moisturiser is clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin and uses a blend of Shea Butter, Evening Primrose and Baicalin to hydrate, calm and protect your complexion all day long.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin£28.00
A nourishing hand and body lotion
Sensitive skin doesn't stop at your face. Our Scent Free Hand & Body Lotion provides instant comfort for dry skin all over your body. The Shea Butter helps to soothe and nourish, making it suitable for everyday use on skin that may be prone to eczema.
Scent Free Body Lotion 150ml
Discover deep skin hydration with our soothing, fragrance-free body lotion£30.00
An ultra-gentle deodorant
Even underarms can benefit from Shea Butter. Our Scent Free Deodorant is exceptionally gentle, using Shea Butter to soothe and moisturise the delicate skin, while a natural 3-way action provides effective odour protection.
Scent Free Deodorant 75ml
Keep ultra-sensitive skin feeling fresh with our fragrance-free deodorant£14.00
Frequently asked questions about Shea Butter
Is Shea Butter good for all skin types?
Yes, Shea Butter is beneficial for most skin types, but it is particularly helpful for dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin due to its intensely moisturising properties. Importantly, it is non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores, making it a good choice even for those with combination skin.
Can I use Shea Butter on eczema-prone skin?
Yes. Shea Butter's moisturising properties can help to soothe the dryness and tight feeling associated with eczema. Our fragrance-free products containing Shea Butter are designed to be suitable for skin that may be prone to eczema.
Will Shea Butter make my skin feel greasy?
Despite its rich texture, high-quality Shea Butter absorbs remarkably well. When formulated correctly within a skin care product, like in our Scent Free 24-Hour Cream, it provides a soft, smooth finish without leaving a greasy feeling on your skin.
What does organic Shea Butter mean?
At Green People, we use certified organic Shea Butter. This is produced from the nuts of Shea trees that are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. The extraction process is also done without industrial chemicals or solvents.Â
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We hope this has helped you understand the brilliant benefits of Shea Butter skin care. If you need any more help choosing the right products for your skin, our friendly UK customer care team are happy to help on 01403 740350 or on social @GreenPeopleUK.
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MEET CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People's Choice in the 2023 list of Who's Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible 'Naturally Gorgeous'. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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