Shea butter is a common ingredient found in various skin and hair care products due to its rich moisturizing properties. As a vegan, you might think, is shea butter vegan? Well, we got you covered!
Let’s get straight into the details.
What is Shea Butter Made of?
Like cocoa butter and peanut butter, the word “butter” in Shea butter is confusing. It has nothing like milk butter. Shea butter is plant derived fat- stearic acid and oleic acid that is extracted from Shea seeds. Shea seeds are the seeds of the shea tree (Vitella paradoxa) found in East and West Africa.
First, Shea seeds are ground into a paste. This paste is kneaded until the oil separates from the paste. The fats from this paste are extracted and boiled to remove impurities. This way, Shea butter is made. It is called butter due to its texture and consistency.
Is Shea Butter Vegan?
According to our experts, raw shea butter is vegan as it is obtained from seed fats that are extracted from Shea trees. When used commercially in various skin care products, it is mixed with beeswax and other non-vegan products that can make it non-vegan.
When shopping for vegan shea butter, make sure it does not contain the following non-vegan additives:
- Beeswax
- Animal fats
- Biotin
- Alpha Hydroxy acids
- Animal hair
- Arachidyl propionate
- Amino acids
- Arachidonic acids
These additives can make shea butter non-vegan. Check labels carefully before purchasing.
Is shea butter cruelty-free?
Yes, Shea butter is vegan and cruelty-free. In its raw form, it is not tested on animals or used by any third-party tester. However, companies that use shea butter for commercial purposes might not be cruelty-free.
Is Shea Moisture vegan?
Raw Shea butter is vegan but shea moisturizer is not vegan. Shea moisturizer is a famous hair care product but its use is questionable for vegans. It contains beeswax or honey to enhance its moisturising effect, which makes it non-vegan.
Shea moisturizer is cruelty-free because it is not tested on animals during its manufacturing and testing process. PETA certifies Shea moisture as cruelty-free. However, it is not vegan.
Benefits of Shea Butter:
Vegan Shea butter is a natural product that offers a wide range of benefits for skin and hair care. These benefits make it a popular ingredient in many cosmetic products.
Here are the top ten benefits of vegan shea butter:
- Moisturizing: Rich in plant-derived fatty acids, raw shea butter is an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. It helps restore the lipid barrier and seal in natural moisture.
- Anti-inflammatory: Due to its cinnamic acid content, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and swelling, making it beneficial for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
- Anti-aging: Vegan Shea butter can boost collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It gives you a younger look.
- Soothing: The moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties make shea butter soothing for irritated or blemished skin. It heals skin from different problems.
- Healing: Shea butter has been traditionally used to speed up the healing of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, thanks to its rich content of vitamins and fatty acids.
- Sun protection: While not a substitute for sunscreen, shea butter provides some protection against UV rays, thanks to its natural sun-blocking properties.
- Softening: Regular use of shea butter can soften tough skin on areas like elbows, knees, and feet. It makes your skin smoother.
- Hair conditioning: When applied to hair, shea butter can help nourish and condition the hair. It reduces dryness and breakage and improves overall hair texture.
- Scalp health: It can be used to soothe dry and itchy scalp conditions, including dandruff, by providing moisture and reducing irritation.
- Antioxidant properties: Rich in vitamins A and E, shea butter helps fight off free radicals, which can damage the skin and accelerate the aging process.
These benefits make vegan shea butter a versatile and highly effective natural ingredient for both skincare and haircare routines.
Is shea butter OK for vegans?
Yes, vegans can use raw Shea butter. However, when purchasing Shea butter from markets, you must check for “vegan” or “plant-derived” labels and a list of ingredients to confirm it is totally vegan.
Does shea butter contain animal fat?
No, Shea butter does not contain animal fats in its raw form but commercial Shea butter moisturizers and skin care products might contain animal fats as an additive. It is better to check for ingredients.
Does shea butter contain dairy?
No, Shea butter does not contain dairy. Although the word butter is confusing, it is not like milk butter. It is named butter due to its color and texture. Shea butter is animal and dairy-free.
Is shea nut oil vegan?
Yes, Shea nut oil is vegan. It is derived from Shea nuts which are a fruit of Shea trees. Shea nut oil is entirely vegan.
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