non comedogenic hair products

is shea butter comedogenic? Here’s the truth

Shea butter is a popular ingredient in skincare products due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties. However, many people wonder if it’s safe for acne-prone skin or if it can cause breakouts. In this article, we’ll explore the question “is shea butter comedogenic?”. Whether you’re a skincare devotee or a casual explorer, prepare to unravel the mysteries and make informed decisions about this widely used natural ingredient.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a fat that’s extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which is native to West Africa. It’s rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which make it an excellent moisturizer and skin conditioner. Shea butter has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various skin conditions, including eczema, dry skin, and stretch marks.

Today, shea butter is a popular ingredient in skincare products due to its emollient properties. However, some people are concerned that shea butter may be comedogenic, which means it can clog pores and cause acne.

Is Shea Butter Comedogenic?

In fact, there hasn’t been sufficient scientific research presented to definitively classify shea butter as comedogenic or non-comedogenic, preventing us from establishing an official rank for it on the comedogenic scale.

Nonetheless, we can draw certain hypotheses and deductions from the information available, offering some insights to guide your choice when considering a product that includes shea butter.

The comedogenic rating system ranks skincare ingredients on a scale from 0 to 5 based on their likelihood of causing acne. A rating of 0 means the ingredient is non-comedogenic, while a rating of 5 means it’s highly comedogenic.

According to the comedogenic rating system, shea butter has a rating of 0-2, which means it’s unlikely to cause acne. The rating varies depending on the quality of the shea butter and how it’s processed. Unrefined shea butter, which is the purest form of shea butter, has a comedogenic rating of 0-1. Refined shea butter, on the other hand, has a rating of 2.

But, as with any skincare product, individual reactions can vary. While shea butter is generally non-comedogenic, there’s still a slim chance that it might not agree with everyone’s skin. Some people might experience pore-clogging or breakouts, especially if they have particularly sensitive or reactive skin.

Shea Butter in Skincare Products

Shea butter is a common ingredient in skincare products, especially those designed for dry or sensitive skin. Here are some examples of skincare products that contain shea butter:

  • Body lotions: Shea butter is often used in body lotions to hydrate and nourish the skin. It’s particularly effective for dry, flaky skin.
  • Face creams: Many face creams contain shea butter because of its moisturizing properties. It can help to soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.
  • Lip balms: Shea butter is a popular ingredient in lip balms because it’s very moisturizing and helps to protect the lips from drying out.
  • Hair conditioners: Shea butter is also used in hair conditioners to add moisture and shine to the hair.

Comparisons: Shea Butter vs. Other Ingredients

When it comes to choosing skincare products, it’s important to know how different ingredients compare to each other. Here are some comparisons between shea butter and other commonly used skincare ingredients:

  • Shea butter vs. coconut oil: Both shea butter and coconut oil are natural moisturizers, but shea butter is less likely to clog pores than coconut oil. Coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4, which means it can cause acne in some people.
  • Shea butter vs. cocoa butter: Shea butter and cocoa butter have similar properties, but shea butter has a lower comedogenic rating. Cocoa butter has a rating of 4, which means it may cause breakouts in some people.
  • Shea butter vs. mineral oil: Mineral oil is a common ingredient in many skincare products, but it has a comedogenic rating of 0-1. This means it’s less likely to cause acne than shea butter. However, mineral oil is a petroleum-based product, which some people prefer to avoid.

How to incorporate shea butter into your skincare routine

  • Choose high-quality shea butter: Look for unrefined, organic shea butter that’s been minimally processed. This type of shea butter is less likely to cause acne than refined shea butter.
  • Patch test first: Before using shea butter on your face or body, do a patch test on a small area of skin. Wait 24-48 hours to see if you have any allergic reactions or breakouts.
  • Don’t overdo it: While shea butter is generally safe for most people, using too much of it can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Use a small amount of shea butter at a time, and don’t apply it more than once a day.
  • Cleanse Properly: Always cleanse your skin thoroughly at the end of the day to remove any traces of makeup, dirt, and excess shea butter. This helps prevent buildup in your pores.
  • Choose products with other non-comedogenic ingredients: If you’re worried about shea butter causing acne, look for skincare products that contain other non-comedogenic ingredients, such as jojoba oil or aloe vera. 

FAQs

  1. Can shea butter cause acne? While shea butter has a low comedogenic rating, it’s still possible for it to cause acne in some people. It’s important to do a patch test before using shea butter on your face or body to see how your skin reacts.
  2. Is shea butter safe for oily skin? Shea butter can be beneficial for oily skin because it helps to balance sebum production and keeps the skin hydrated. However, if you’re prone to breakouts, it’s important to use it sparingly and choose a high-quality shea butter that’s less likely to clog pores.
  3. How often should I use shea butter? You should use shea butter sparingly and not apply it more than once a day. Too much shea butter can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
  4. Can shea butter help with eczema? Yes, shea butter is a natural remedy for various skin conditions, including eczema. Its moisturizing properties can help to soothe dry, itchy skin and reduce inflammation.
  5. What are the benefits of using shea butter? Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that can help to hydrate and nourish the skin. It’s rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which make it an excellent skin conditioner. Shea butter can also help to reduce inflammation and redness, making it a great option for sensitive skin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, is shea butter comedogenic? While shea butter has a low comedogenic rating, it’s still possible for it to cause acne in some people. However, by choosing a high-quality shea butter and using it sparingly, you can enjoy the benefits of this natural moisturizer without worrying about breakouts. Whether you have dry, sensitive, or oily skin, shea butter can be a beneficial addition to your skincare routine.

HOMEMADE TALLOW FACE CREAM: DIY MOISTURIZER RECIPE

This homemade face moisturizer is the purest, most natural skincare product you can make. It’s a nutrient-rich, whipped tallow cream that provides deep hydration, soothing relief, and powerful anti-aging benefits.

What is tallow? What is tallow cream?

Tallow is simply rendered beef fat, with “rendered” meaning the process of cooking down animal fat.

I explain more about tallow in this post and show how to make it step-by-step in my guide on rendering tallow.

On its own, tallow tends to be stiff and difficult to spread on the skin. To create a smoother tallow face and body cream, you mix melted tallow with a liquid oil like olive or jojoba. This results in a cream with the perfect consistency for easy application.

You can keep tallow cream plain, or enhance it with essential oils for added benefits. Including essential oils with anti-aging properties turns the tallow face cream into the ultimate DIY moisturizer.

You can either whip the tallow face cream or leave it as a solid balm. I personally prefer the whipped version—it’s light, fluffy, and so enjoyable to use!

Easy tallow face cream recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup organic, grass fed tallow
  • 1/4 cup liquid oil (carrot seed, avocado, olive, argan, rose hip seed)
  • 48+ drops essential oils

Instructions:

  • Melt tallow until liquid.
  • Add liquid oil and stir to combine.
  • Allow mixture to chill in freezer until just barely solidified, not liquid and soft enough to easily whip.
  • Whip with hand mixer until fluffy.
  • Add essential oils and whip to combine.
  • Store in a glass jar.

Why use tallow on your skin? Is tallow good for skin?

What are the benefits of tallow? As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, tallow is incredible for our skin. You can read more about its amazing properties in detail here and here.

In short, 100% grass-fed tallow is so beneficial because it’s highly biocompatible with our skin cells. You can feel the difference as soon as you apply it—your skin seems to instantly recognize and absorb it! Bison tallow offers similar benefits as well.

Grass-fed tallow makes an excellent face cream due to the rich array of skin-friendly nutrients it contains (source). Here are some of the key nutrients found in grass-fed tallow:

  • Vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K: This unique combination of vitamins, only found together in animal products, deeply nourishes the skin and promotes healthy cell function.
  • Omega-3 (Alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega-6 (Linoleic acid): These essential fatty acids are present in an almost perfect 1:1 ratio. They maintain the structure and barrier function of the skin, support anti-inflammatory responses, and help manage conditions like eczema and rosacea.
  • Stearic and Oleic acids: These fatty acids, found in the outer layer of the skin and sebum, soften, moisturize, and regenerate the skin. Stearic acid repairs and improves skin flexibility and strengthens the skin barrier, while oleic acid aids in nutrient absorption deep into the skin.
  • Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, CLA helps soothe and protect the skin.
  • Palmitoleic acid: A potent antimicrobial that forms one of the building blocks of our skin, but its levels decline with age.
  • Palmitic acid: Enhances skin smoothness, supports the skin’s barrier function, and also decreases with age.

Is tallow good for your face?

Absolutely! Here are some of the amazing benefits that 100% grass-fed tallow provides for the skin, especially on the face:

  • Nutrient-rich repair: Tallow is packed with the nutrients our skin needs to repair itself, making it an excellent moisturizer for achieving healthy, radiant skin.
  • Promotes youthful skin: Many of the nutrients in grass-fed tallow replenish substances our skin loses as we age, helping to maintain a youthful appearance.
  • Biocompatibility with skin: Tallow closely mimics the natural oils our skin produces, which makes it highly compatible and easily absorbed by the skin.
  • Intense hydration: Tallow offers deeper, more intense moisture compared to plant-based oils. You’ll notice how soothing and hydrating it is right away, especially for dry skin.
  • Skin protection and repair: Beyond repairing damaged skin, tallow also helps prevent future damage. Its antioxidants and other nutrients keep skin healthy, strong, and resilient.
  • Prevents acne and breakouts: The natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of tallow help prevent acne while calming and soothing skin inflammation.

How often to use tallow face cream

If your skin is too dry or too oily, how much tallow face cream to use depends on your skin type and its current needs.

  • For dry or mature skin, using your DIY face cream twice a day is ideal to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.
  • For oily skin, it’s best to use the cream once a day, every other day, or even less frequently, depending on how your skin responds.

It’s important to experiment and find the right balance for your skin. Keep in mind, a little bit of tallow cream goes a long way, so start with a small amount. If you accidentally apply too much, simply use a dry towel to gently remove the excess.

Will tallow clog pores?

No, tallow is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores (source). Its compatibility with our skin’s natural sebum allows it to work harmoniously, moisturizing, soothing, and repairing the skin without causing breakouts.

If you notice any issues with your pores, you’re likely using too much. A little tallow goes a long way, so applying just the right amount will give you all the benefits without any problems.

Does tallow contain collagen?

Not exactly, but several antioxidants in tallow do support collagen production and maintenance in the skin, helping to keep it firm and smooth.

Two key antioxidants found in grass-fed tallow are vitamin E and vitamin A. Vitamin E helps prevent the breakdown of collagen, while vitamin A promotes collagen production in the skin (source). Together, these vitamins contribute to maintaining healthy, youthful skin.

Which is better: lard or tallow?

Sometimes people wonder if they can use lard for skin care like they can with tallow. While you can use lard, tallow is a far better option.

Lard from free-range, naturally raised pork does provide some vitamin D, but that’s about it. In contrast, tallow boasts a wide array of fat-soluble vitamins and an abundance of other beneficial nutrients. Overall, tallow is the clear winner for skincare.

Also use it as a whipped tallow facial cleanser

That’s right! This DIY face moisturizer also works wonderfully as an oil cleansing balm. In fact, it’s my absolute favorite product to use when I practice the oil cleansing method.

You might be wondering: What is oil cleansing? If you’re new to the oil cleansing method and its many benefits, be sure to check out my post on oil cleansing with tallow here—it’s incredible!

Another fantastic way I love to use tallow is as a deep conditioning treatment for my hair. You can read all about how I incorporate tallow into my hair care routine here.

conclusion

In conclusion, 100% grass-fed tallow is a remarkable ingredient for skin and hair care, offering a wealth of nutrients and benefits. Its biocompatibility with our skin makes it an effective moisturizer, while its rich array of vitamins and fatty acids promotes skin repair, hydration, and overall health. Whether used as a face cream, oil cleansing balm, or deep conditioning treatment for hair, tallow stands out as a versatile and powerful natural product. Embracing tallow in your skincare routine can lead to healthier, more radiant skin and revitalized hair. Experiment with the right amounts for your specific skin type, and enjoy the incredible results that come with this primal goodness!