Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Also known as Shea Butter, Shea Fat, Vitellaria paradoxa butter, Karite Butter
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
The CIR Expert Panel assessed thirteen shea-derived ingredients (including Butyrospermum Parkii Butter) as safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing, with a 2024 IJT paper confirming this finding. Clinical literature supports emollient and semi-occlusive properties with well-documented skin hydration benefits. Rare cases of contact allergy have been documented (cheilitis case report, 2024), though sensitization is considered uncommon.
Emollient and semi-occlusive — reduces TEWL and increases stratum corneum hydration
Photoprotection enhancement — increases in vivo SPF when used in sunscreen formulations
Good skin acceptability in atopic dermatitis and sensitive skin populations
- · Rare contact sensitization potential — at least one documented case of allergic cheilitis
- · CIR conditions use on non-sensitizing formulation practices
CIR Quick Reference Table (12/2017, revised 07/2018) — Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter row: Finding=SQ, Citation=IJT 36(Suppl. 3):51-1…
“Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter | SQ | safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing | IJT 36(Suppl. 3):51-129, 2017; Final report 09/2017 available from CIR”— QRT-122017revised072018.pdf, p. 15