murphyButyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter unsaponifiables
AKA: Shea Butter Unsaponifiables
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
OriginNative to West Africa. Derived from the nuts of Butyrospermum parkii (shea tree), native to West Africa's Sapotaceae family. Extracted through cold-pressing or expeller-pressing of shea nuts, then refined to isolate unsaponifiable compounds.
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
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Tree Nut (Shea)
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
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.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Lab (in vitro) test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 720)
Not a Sensitizer
1 study / 1 not sensitizing (CIR 720)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
3 studies / 1 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions slight to moderate (CIR 577 and 720)
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR