19 Best Shea Butter Moisturizers to Provide Deep Nourishment

Written by Anoushka Sinha, Skincare Coach & Writer
Updated on Feb 12, 2024
Best Shea Butter Moisturizers
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When dealing with dry skin issues, shea butter is the key ingredient to look for in your skincare products. Not just skin, but your hair, lips, and heels too can be deeply nourished with this super hydrating ingredient. Due to the moisture sealing power, intense moisturization, and natural formula, it forms an important part of skin and hair care products. The best shea butter moisturizers are beneficial for ditching skin issues like roughness, flakiness and even inflammation. Here we have our top picks that can make your skincare simple and easy.

19 Best Shea Butter Moisturisers

Want an envious beach body that radiates an uber-sultry glam? Say no more! With an amalgamation of effective ingredients like acai oil, cupuacu butter, and coconut oil, the texture of the products melts like butter over your skin. Addedly, this Brazilian cream has a smoothing formula that nourishes the skin while tightening it at the same time. Last but not least, the product also improves skin elasticity and shrinks down the pores for a youthful appearance. With a tantalizing scent, the body hydrator promises to soothe your nerves when you apply it.

Pros
  • Effective ingredients
  • Visibly smoothes skin
  • Tantalizing scent
  • Cruelty-free
  • Best for dryness
  • Improves elasticity
Cons
  • Smell may seem overpowering to some
  • Best Overall

    Better Shea Butter Unrefined Shea Butter

    Better Shea Butter Unrefined Shea Butter
  • The benefits of raw shea butter for the body are unbelievable. From nourishing the dry parts to dealing with skin concerns, this miraculous ingredient is capable of doing it all that too with the goodness of nature. Better Shea Butter Unrefined Shea Butter is known for its freshness and premium quality. Infused with extreme moisturizing benefits, the butter can help relieve skin concerns and aging issues. Use it as a moisturizer on your skin or simply create your homemade nourishing balms, body butter, and soaps to nurture your skin.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Makes the skin soft
    Cons
    • Less quantity
  • Best Vegan Formula

    Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer

    Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer
  • Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer is a blend of natural extracts that are not just nourishing but reviving for the skin. It is a vegan formula enriched with the goodness of shea butter, hemp seed oil, ginger extract, and vitamins A, C, and E. Shea butter being a storehouse of natural proteins, antioxidants, and minerals is super soothing for the skin. This natural blend is super rich in omegas which contribute to healing and protecting the skin. When dealing with dry, flaky, inflamed skin, switch to this herbal blend for instant relief.

    Pros
    • THC free
    • Gluten-free
    • Paraben-free
    Cons
    • Slightly weird smell
  • Long-lasting hydration

    Sky Organics Organic Shea Butter

    Sky Organics Organic Shea Butter
  • This face and body moisturizer is a top-rated product when it comes to nourishing the skin. Enriched with organic shea butter, this moisturizing butter dramatically transforms the dry condition of your skin. It is loaded with vitamins A and E along with essential fatty acids that replenish the skin with hydration by creating a protective moisture barrier on the skin. The butter can even help enhance your skin’s softness and radiance. You can also depend on this nourishing formula to calm down itchy, and flaky skin.

    Our contributor, Anna Misztela who is a Board licensed Esthetician and is the founder of Beauty and Cutie, states that shea butter has an interesting composition. Its three highest fatty acid components are oleic acid (40-60%, an omega-9 fatty acid), stearic acid (30-45%, a saturated fatty acid) and linoleic acid (4-16%, an omega-6 fatty acid) which are responsible for its smooth consistency. Topical ingredients found in shea butter's rich polyphenol profile provide a wealth of compounds that are strong anti-inflammatories and antioxidants and help fight dry skin.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • No parabens, sulfates, and dyes
    • Provides long-lasting moisture
    Cons
    • Some may not like the scent
  • Lightweight Formula

    Jergens Oil-Infused Enriching Shea Butter

    Jergens Oil-Infused Enriching Shea Butter
  • Wish to indulge in soothing skin pampering sessions? If yes, then here is a dose of nature’s goodness that will invigorate your skin like never before. It is a blend of vitamin E oil and multiple botanical fragrances that revive dull skin imparting radiant shine. Formulated with African shea butter, this product is capable of providing 24-hour long-lasting nourishment. It helps repair dry skin along with improving sheen. The moisturizer is home to a clean, soft fragrance that lasts long.

    Pros
    • Ultra-conditioning
    • Lightweight formula
    • Makes skin smooth
    Cons
    • Slightly thick consistency
  • Premium Product

    Perfect Body Harmony Raw Shea Butter

    Perfect Body Harmony Raw Shea Butter
  • Shea butter is the star ingredient of this product. It is infused in its raw state in this product. Perfectly packed in a glass jar, the butter looks super tempting. Created from Karite tree shea nut and vitamins A, D, E, and F, the butter is super healthy for the skin. Ideal to be a part of homemade natural products, the product is great for use on the face, body, skin, and hair.

    Pros
    • BPA-free jar
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Organic and premium
    Cons
    • Does not absorb easily
  • Best Vegan-friendly

    Sephora All Day Body Hydrator

    Sephora All Day Body Hydrator
  • This body hydrator from Sephora needs special mention for being infused with rich moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and mango butter. They help in soothing even the driest skin and nourishing it at the same time for a natural glow. It has a vegan-friendly formula and offers you with clean ingredients that pamper and mollycoddle your skin, without exposing it to any nasties! Plus, it doesn't even feel sticky or greasy, thanks to the lightweight formula that feels like a breeze against the skin.

    Pros
    • Rich moisturizing ingredients
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Lightweight
    • Doesn't leave residue
    • Soothes the skin
    • Cruelty-free
    Cons
    • Synthetic fragrance
  • Best for Long-lasting Results

    Moroccanoil Body Butter Moisturizer

    Moroccanoil Body Butter Moisturizer
  • Enriched with some of the most effective hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, argan oil, mango butter, and cocoa butter, the body butter treats the dry skin and uneven texture for a smooth and nourished appearance. The product helps in strengthening the skin barrier and lock the moisture for the long term benefit. To note more, the texture of the product is curated in such a way that it stays on the skin for the longest possible time.

    Pros
    • Hydrating ingredients
    • Treats uneven skintone
    • Locks moisture
    • Long-lasting
    • Nourished appearance
    • Effective ingredients
    Cons
    • Quite greasy
  • For Stretch Marks

    OKAY African Shea Butter

    OKAY African Shea Butter
  • This African shea butter from Okay is known for its innovative texture and potency. This butter is a multifunctional product that is moisturizing, healing, soothing, that  helps replenish the skin. Helpful in improving skin health, the butter keeps the skin protected from the sun’s UV rays. Not just this, it repairs dry skin and evens out skin tone. When used on hair, the butter can help seal in hair moisture, reduce frizz, and prevent breakage.

    Pros
    • Helps prevent stretch marks
    • Reduces inflammation
    • Improves the skin’s elasticity
    Cons
    • Some may not like the smell
  • Non-greasy Formula

    L’Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream

    L’Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream
  • This hand cream with shea butter is a natural blend that leaves the skin soft and smooth. Besides shea butter, the product contains honey, coconut oil, and almond extracts, making it highly nourishing. This unique blend is known for its barrier-creating shield that helps maintain the hydration. Its rich texture brings down the skin’s dryness making it smoother and softer. The cream penetrates easily into the skin and rejuvenates the skin even after several washes.

    Pros
    • Lightweight and non-greasy
    • Silky texture
    • Counters dryness
    • Leaves no oily traces
    Cons
    • Small size
  • Raw Apothecary All-Natural Ivory Shea Butter

    Raw Apothecary All-Natural Ivory Shea Butter
  • Raw Apothecary All-Natural Ivory Shea Butter has superior nourishing qualities. It is enriched with vitamins A, E, and F which are highly useful in providing skin protection. Along with vitamins, the butter also contains essential fatty acids, known for their strong skin rejuvenating power. This butter helps in healing the skin while providing intense nourishment. Whether it's summer or winter, this butter helps in skin hydration instantly.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Offers UV protection
    Cons
    • Very heavy texture
  • SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque

    SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque
  • Rough, frizzy hair might seem impossible to tackle unless you use shea moisture conditioner to reverse the damage caused to your hair. Our contributor, Anna Misztela says, “In terms of reversing hair damage, the rich fatty acid and lipid profile of shea butter makes damaged hair more water resistant. This helps to protect the hair cortex and promote regeneration of healthy hair growth. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatories can also help relieve scalp irritations.” This hair mask is a product with the goodness of fig extract, manuka honey, shea butter, and mafura oil. All these herbal ingredients contribute toward hair strengthening by locking in moisture. It also has the goodness of baobab oils along with African rock fig that tames rough, coarse hair. With such intense conditioning, this product can revive your hair instantly.

    Pros
    • No sulfates
    • No silicones
    • No parabens
    • No mineral oil
    Cons
    • May leave some residue
  • Premium Nature Organic Shea Butter

    Premium Nature Organic Shea Butter
  • This shea butter is an all-natural formula that can lead to intense nourishment. It is great at repairing damaged skin and hair. With constant use of this butter, one can even maintain the good condition of skin and hair. Use it as per your need as it is easily blendable with aloe, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. The formula is super nourishing, leaving the skin super soft. When applied to your scalp, the formula can infuse hair with utmost nourishment and lead to lush, thick hair.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Highly moisturizing
    • Great to create DIY products
    Cons
    • Slightly stinky
  • NOW Solutions, Shea Butter

    NOW Solutions, Shea Butter
  • This body butter infused with natural shea butter is a hard-to-resist formula when used regularly. It has a rich texture that is easy to absorb by the skin and gives amazing moisturizing results. The product works as a remarkable emollient that seals in moisture and maintains hydration for long hours. With no synthetic fragrances, parabens, or mineral oils, the formula is clean and gentle on the skin. Use it as a scalp moisturizer, skin emollient, or a lip balm to gain an advantage of intense nourishment.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Hexane-free
    • For all skin types
    • No petrochemicals
    Cons
    • Leaves residue on skin
  • SheaMoisture African Black Soap Balancing Moisturizer

    SheaMoisture African Black Soap Balancing Moisturizer
  • SheaMoisture African Black Soap Balancing Moisturizer is a multifaceted skin care product that leaves no stone unturned while taking care of the skin. Formulated with black soap, tea tree oil, tamarind extract, and fair trade shea butter, this product is a natural blend meant for nourishing dry skin. The consistency of this lotion is thin which makes it super light in weight. Its rich formula works like a wonder on chapped skin. The formula is free from parabens, mineral oils, and phthalates. You can use it like a daily moisturizing cream or a hand lotion, as per your requirements.

    Pros
    • Travel size lotion
    • Keeps skin hydrated
    • Ethically sourced shea butter
    Cons
    • Slightly less quantity
  • Palmer’s Shea Butter Formula Raw Shea Nourish Body Balm

    Palmer’s Shea Butter Formula Raw Shea Nourish Body Balm
  • If looking for a simple yet effective moisturizer, then you just can't go wrong with this one. It is enriched with African shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin E, soybean oil, and cocoa butter. Each of these ingredients is known for deep hydration, nourishment, and charming results on the skin texture and tone. The ingredients are derived from plants and represent high quality. Formulated to give your skin a hydration boost without making it greasy, this body balm feels like a blessing for dry, chapped skin.

    Pros
    • Softens skin
    • Locks in moisture
    • Combats free radical damage
    Cons
    • Slightly strong scent
  • Plant Origin Shea Butter

    Plant Origin Shea Butter
  • This shea butter from Plant Origin is in the purest state which makes it highly moisturizing for the body. The texture is silky-smooth and feels light on the skin. The brand uses an unrefined cold-pressed form of butter which is considered even more beneficial for the skin. The shea butter used in the product is extracted from African shea nuts of utmost premium quality. Being a good source of vitamins A, E, and F, the butter is immensely nourishing for the skin.

    Pros
    • Grade-A quality
    • Prevents sun damage
    • Reduces stretch marks
    Cons
    • Slightly strong scent
  • Nourish Organic Moisturizing Shea Butter

    Nourish Organic Moisturizing Shea Butter
  • Nourish Organic Moisturizing Shea Butter is an excellent moisturizer that nourishes the skin and enhances skin elasticity. Known for its intense hydration, this butter can help soothe skin redness and itchiness keeping dryness at bay. It acts as an effective emollient that replenishes rough, flaky skin. The product is certified organic, making it super potent and safe to use.

    Pros
    • Buttery texture
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Recyclable packaging
    • Responsible sourcing
    Cons
    • Slightly pricey
  • Burt’s Bees Lavender and Honey Hand Cream with Shea Butter

    Burt’s Bees Lavender and Honey Hand Cream with Shea Butter
  • Burt’s Bees Hand Cream with shea butter, pumpkin seed oil, and baobab oil is a botanical blend that is super soothing for the skin. It nourishes the skin with all-day moisture, leaving it all silky. Infused with lavender and honey scent, the product is relaxing for the senses. Apply it any time of the day and experience soft, smooth skin for as long as you wish. Its squeezable tube is portable and travel-friendly. 

    Pros
    • Buttery texture
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Recyclable packaging
    • Responsible sourcing
    Cons
    • Slightly pricey

    User's Guide

    How To Choose A Shea Butter Moisturizer?

    Consider the following factors while choosing good quality shea butter-

    Consistency 

    The consistency of a shea butter moisturizer must be thin enough to spread easily onto the skin. It should also be rich enough to tackle skin’s dryness, dullness and roughness. You can use the consistency of a cold cream for reference. 

    Color

    You can determine pure shea butter based on its color. Refined shea butter is whiteish whereas unrefined is pale and off-white. 

    Extraction Process

    Shea butter extracted through cold-pressed methods is considered better than that obtained by heating. Cold-pressed ones are surely expensive but the quality is way better. 

    How to Use Shea Butter Moisturizer?

    Shea butter is available in both raw and processed states. It is highly beneficial for the skin and can be directly applied. From countering dryness, redness, inflammation, wrinkles, and dark spots, to healing skin issues like eczema, it can be used as a topical solution for all. Just apply it on clean skin and massage it well. When applying to hair, use it on the scalp and ends to obtain smooth, silky hair. 

    Shea butter is a natural source of nourishment that you can use to take good care of your skin and hair. This list contains top-rated shea butter moisturizers which are worth trying. Each of these has incredible hydrating qualities. Get your hands on the moisturizers and say hello to soft, smooth skin.

    Contributor: 

    Anna Misztela, Board licensed Esthetician, Founder of Brand Beauty&Cutie

    Disclaimer: This article contains sponsored links and the content is created by Pinkvilla. We, at Pinkvilla, curate products only after detailed research based on shopping trends, product ratings, and honest customer reviews. Our aim is to make your shopping experience convenient and worth every penny. Happy shopping!

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Anoushka, our skincare specialist, never skips her C-T-M routine. Lately, while battling with dry skin, she realized how good shea butter is for deep nourishment. This key ingredient not only effectively quenches the thirst of dehydrated skin but is also the best solution to get rid of flakiness, roughness, and inflammation. She further set herself out on a mission to find the best shea butter moisturizers. With intensive research, she created this comprehensive list of products. And, out of the 16, Sky Organics’s Organic Shea Butter managed to seek the top spot in her list due to the long-lasting hydrating formula that replenishes the skin at the same time.  

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Anoushka Sinha
    Skincare Coach & Writer

    Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As a More