What is shea butter in skincare?
Shea butter is the fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree, Vitellaria paradoxa. It is solid at room temperature and melts at body heat, which is why it feels rich going on and sinks in once warmed.
Its value lies in the unsaponifiable fraction – an unusually high 5 to 10% of triterpenes, tocopherols and phytosterols, far more than most plant fats. Those compounds give it anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair activity beyond simple occlusion.
What skin concerns does shea butter treat?
It is a first-line choice for very dry, rough or cracked skin, and for eczema, psoriasis and winter-damaged hands and lips. It reduces water loss substantially while calming inflammation at the same time.
It also soothes after sun exposure, softens scars and stretch marks, and protects skin exposed to cold and wind. Unrefined shea retains more actives but has a nutty smell; refined shea is neutral but less potent.
What ingredients are best paired with shea butter?
Use it as the final occlusive layer over humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and alongside ceramides for a complete barrier routine.
It is ideal for buffering the dryness of retinoids and acids on body skin. It sits mid-range on the comedogenic scale, so keep it to the body and dry patches if your face is oily or breakout-prone. Those with tree nut allergies should patch test. Take our Skin Quiz.
What are clogged pores?
A clogged pore is a hair follicle blocked by a mix of sebum, dead skin cells and debris. Left open to the air the plug oxidises and darkens into a blackhead; sealed over by skin it becomes a whitehead or closed comedone.
Clogged pores are the starting point of nearly all acne – the microcomedone forms first, and inflammation follows only if bacteria and immune response get involved.
What causes clogged pores?
Excess sebum and abnormal keratinisation are the two mechanics. When the follicle lining sheds cells faster than they can clear, they bind with oil and form a plug.
Comedogenic products (heavy oils, some silicones and waxes), thick makeup worn for long stretches, humidity, sweat left on the skin, hormonal shifts and insufficient cleansing all contribute. So does over-cleansing, which damages the barrier and drives oil production up.
What ingredients are best for clogged pores?
Salicylic acid is the first choice because it is oil-soluble and works inside the pore rather than just on the surface. Glycolic and lactic acid clear the surface layer, and clay masks absorb excess oil weekly.
Retinoids are the most effective long-term fix, because they change how the follicle sheds in the first place. Add niacinamide to regulate sebum and keep the barrier intact, and switch to non-comedogenic, lightweight hydrators. Take our Skin Quiz to find products that will not re-clog you.
