Shea butter, explained: what it actually does for your skin

Shea butter shows up on a lot of ingredient labels, but it’s worth knowing what it’s actually doing — especially since Uganda sits close to some of the best shea-producing regions on the continent.

Unrefined shea is rich in fatty acids and vitamin A and E, which is why it sits heavier and richer than a typical lotion. It doesn’t hydrate the way water-based ingredients do — instead, it seals moisture in and softens rough, dry patches, which is why it works so well on elbows, knees, and heels as much as it does on the rest of the body.

The tradeoff is texture: unrefined shea can feel thick on its own, which is why we blend it into the Shea Body Veil rather than selling it raw — you get the benefit without the heavy film.