Updated January 30, 2015.

Shea butter is a popular ingredient in dry skin creams. It is derived from the kernels of the shea tree, Vitellaria paradox C. F. Gaertner (Sapotaceae) which grows in several west African countries from Senegal to Ethiopia.

Shea trees produce small fruit with pulp and a single seed.  The kernel of this seed or nut has a high fat content which is extracted as shea butter.  Shea butter is used not only for cosmetic formulations, but also in chocolate manufacturing.

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According to research published in Agricultural Food Chemistry, shea butter is a great source of Vitamin E, primarily in the form of alpha-tocopherol. This natural fat is recommended as an effective moisturizing ingredient for dry or coarse hair or for severely dry and chapped skin, which can get worse with age.

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<sub>Source:

Maranz S, Wiesman Z.J. "Influence of climate on the tocopherol content of shea butter." Agric Food Chem. 2004 May 19;52(10):2934-7.</sub>