Is Shea Butter Comedogenic?

Shea butter is a natural fat obtained from the fruit of the shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii), which belongs to the Sapotaceae family. This wild African tree starts producing fruit after 20 years and reaches its maximum production capacity after 50 years. Shea butter is mainly made by African women. It is known as "women's gold" and is an additional source of income for millions of women in some African countries like Burkina Faso.

In its raw state, shea butter is a solid butter with a waxy appearance. When exposed to room temperature, it melts and becomes oily in texture. Shea butter is light yellow to beige in color and has a slight odor of sweet almond. It is concentrated in fatty acids, triglycerides and wax esters. It also contains vitamins (E, A, D), and phytosterols.

Used in dermatological and cosmetic care, shea butter is called (INCI name: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter). It is an emollient that softens the upper layer of the skin. It is also appreciated for its nourishing and moisturizing virtues. It repairs and protects the skin barrier. Shea butter has the power to preserve a tanned complexion after exposure to the sun. Moreover, it also has a functional role in certain cosmetic formulas because it makes it possible to increase the viscosity.

The shea butter used in our products comes from fruits harvested in Burkina Faso. It is then refined in Europe using methods approved by organic certifications.

The term "comedogenic" comes from the word "comedones" and refers to the property of a cosmetic ingredient or product to obstruct the sebaceous glands, responsible for the production of sebum. By clogging the pores of the skin, a comedogenic compound will prevent the natural evacuation of sebum. This phenomenon can then cause or aggravate various skin disorders, such as dilated pores, open microcysts (or blackheads), closed microcysts (or whiteheads) or even acne.

 The comedogenicity of a compound is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 5. A score of 0 means that no comedones have developed and that the pores are not clogged, whereas a score of 5 means that there is a high probability that it will cause comedones. To calculate this index, the manufacturers determine, among other things, the speed of penetration of the compound in question in the surface layers of the skin and its sensitivity to oxidation.

The index of comedogenicity of a vegetable oil compound depends on its oxidative potential, knowing that an oxidized oil compound will be naturally comedogenic (Pay attention to the conservation methods: closed bottle, protected from the light and heat).