Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter unsaponifiables
AKA: Shea Butter Unsaponifiables
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Tree Nut (Shea)
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Unsaponifiables is a cosmetic ingredient used as hair conditioning, skin conditioning. Rated low hazard by EWG. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Sapotaceae (Sapodilla family)
Plant Part
Nut
Lifeform
Hemiparasitic epiphyte
Climate
Seasonally dry tropical
CAS #
225234-14-0
Form
Wax
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Prevents moisture loss
Quells irritation
Traditional Use
Concentrated extract from shea butter containing compounds that don't form soap. Traditional use of shea butter in West Africa valued for skin conditioning; unsaponifiables are the bioactive fraction used in modern skincare.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed4 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR