Shea Butter Guide
Shea Butter Uses:
15 Ways to Use Shea Butter Every Day
One ingredient. Countless uses. Discover practical ways to use unrefined shea butter for skin, hair and everyday self-care.
A personal note
You know what I love most about shea butter? It is one of those products that quietly earns its place in your home.
When I first started using shea butter over ten years ago, I was simply looking for a natural ingredient for the products I was making at O'live Handmade Soaps. I also wanted something gentle enough for my daughter's sensitive skin.
Today we import tonnes of shea butter every year, but my favourite thing about it has not changed. It is incredibly versatile.
1As an Everyday Body Moisturiser
After a shower or bath, apply a small amount while your skin is still slightly damp. It melts beautifully into warm skin and helps lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft without needing loads of product. New to shea butter? Read What Is Shea Butter?
2For Dry Hands
If you are constantly washing your hands, gardening or working with your hands, keep unrefined shea butter nearby. Apply a small amount before bed so it has the whole night to soften dry skin.
3On Dry Elbows, Knees and Heels
Unrefined shea butter is perfect for stubborn dry areas because it is much richer than a normal body lotion. It is especially useful during winter.
4As a Lip Balm
A tiny amount of shea butter works beautifully on dry lips. Keep a small tub nearby during winter and warm it between your fingers before applying.
5For Natural Hair
Shea butter can help soften dry hair, reduce frizz and make curly or textured hair easier to manage. Use only a little. Compare yellow and ivory shea butter.
6In Homemade Body Butters
Shea butter is an easy foundation for homemade body butter recipes and combines well with oils such as sweet almond, jojoba and coconut oil. Explore the beginner's formulation guide.
7In Handmade Soap
Shea butter adds richness to handmade soap and helps create bars that feel wonderfully luxurious. See the shea butter soap guide.
8In Body Creams and Lotions
Shea butter blends beautifully into creams and lotions and is one of the most useful ingredients for adding richness and body to a formulation.
9As a Cuticle Balm
Massage a tiny amount around your nails before bed. It is a simple habit that can make a noticeable difference to dry cuticles over time.
10For Rough Feet
Apply shea butter before putting on cotton socks overnight. It is an easy self-care ritual for feet that become dry during winter.
11As a Beard Balm
Shea butter helps soften coarse beard hair while moisturising the skin underneath. Start with a very small amount to avoid weighing the beard down.
12During Winter
Cold air, indoor heaters and dry weather can take their toll on skin. That is when rich, unrefined shea butter is especially useful.
13During Pregnancy
Many mums choose shea butter as part of their daily moisturising routine during pregnancy. Speak to your healthcare professional if you have concerns about skincare products.
14A Staple in Every Formulator's Cupboard
If you enjoy making your own skincare, shea butter is one of those ingredients you'll keep reaching for. It's wonderfully versatile and works beautifully in everything from body butters and balms to creams and lotions. Because of its unique fatty acid profile, it performs well in both anhydrous and water-based formulations. Shea butter is a rich, dependable butter that shines on its own, but also pairs beautifully with other natural oils and butters. If you're new to formulating, we hope you'll give it a try and discover why so many makers keep it as a permanent ingredient in their cupboard. Learn more in our How to Formulate with Shea Butter guide.
15Simply Because It Feels Amazing
Fresh, good-quality unrefined shea butter melts between your hands, has a natural nutty aroma and leaves skin feeling cared for. Sometimes that is reason enough.
A Few Tips Before You Start
- Start with a small amount.
- Warm it between your palms before applying.
- Store it somewhere cool and dry.
- Do not worry if the texture changes slightly between seasons.
- Graininess is normal and does not affect quality.
One Ingredient. Countless Uses.
After using shea butter for well over a decade, I still reach for it almost every day.
Whether it is for dry hands after gardening, moisturising after a shower or making skincare products, it is one ingredient I always like to have nearby.
If you have never tried unrefined shea butter before, start with a small amount and see how many ways you end up using it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use shea butter every day?
Many people use unrefined shea butter daily as part of their skincare routine.
Can shea butter clog pores?
Everyone's skin is different. If you are prone to breakouts, patch test first and use only a small amount.
Can I use shea butter on my face?
Many people do, particularly on dry skin. Apply a small amount and see how your skin responds.
Can children use shea butter?
Many families use pure shea butter on children's skin. Speak to a healthcare professional if your child has a skin condition or you have concerns.