Shea Oil vs Shea Butter - Which is better

I'm sure you've heard about the benefits and uses of Shea butter, but have you heard about Shea oil, also known as Shea nut oil?

What is Shea Oil

Just like Shea butter, Shea oil is extracted from the Shea tree nut. Shea oil is a by-product of the extraction process of Shea butter. Shea oil retains the fatty acids from the production process whereas Shea butter retains the fat; hence Shea butter has a waxy solid structure and Shea oil is liquid. Both Shea butter and Shea oil have numerous benefits and uses for skin and hair care. For a deeper dive into Shea oil specifically, see our guide: Shea Oil — Its Benefits and Uses.

Uses and Benefits of Shea Oil and Shea Butter

Lightweight

• Shea oil has all the benefits of Shea butter but in oil form, as such it is lightweight and naturally high in fatty acids. If you find Shea butter heavy, the lighter structure of Shea oil makes it the perfect substitute. It helps to soften and hydrate dry hair and makes an amazing all-over body moisturizer. Browse our Shea Oil range to find your perfect scent.

Skin Super-food

• Shea oil and Shea butter are skin super-foods. They are referred to as super-foods because they contain essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin and hair.

Skin and Hair Care

• Shea butter and Shea oil provide benefits to the body, including improving circulation and reducing skin conditions such as eczema and acne. Both products can be used to hydrate dry, cracked skin, lips and the sole of the feet. Shea oil and Shea butter have naturally occurring antioxidants which protect cells from free radical damage and enhance cell metabolism, improving overall skin health. For more on using shea butter on hair, see Shea Butter Benefits for Natural Hair.

Non-comedogenic

• Shea oil and Shea butter can be applied directly to skin and hair. Due to their non-comedogenic nature, neither oil nor butter will clog your pores. This means you can safely swap your face serum for Shea oil. Learn more in our post: Is Shea Butter Comedogenic?

Gentle — Baby Friendly

• Shea Oil and Shea butter are gentle but effective for skin and hair care. They are gentle enough to be used on babies. Read more about using shea safely in Mummy, Baby and Shea Butter.

Rich in Vitamins

• Shea oil and Shea butter are rich in vitamins A, E and F. Vitamin E can help fade scars, acne scarring and stretch marks gradually over time and will even your skin tone. Read about Shea Butter for Stretch Marks for more.

Is Shea Oil better than Shea Butter

Scent

• One major difference between Shea butter and Shea oil is the scent. Shea butter has a slight nutty scent. However, Shea oil has a much lighter scent. Some people find this more pleasing.

Structure / Usability

• The structure of Shea oil doesn’t change regardless of the temperature. It always stays in oil form whether it’s hot or cold. However the structure of Shea butter can change due to temperature. This can make applying Shea butter hard in colder temperatures as the butter gets hard. For tips on dealing with this, see our guide on Shea Butter: Tips to Prevent Hardening.
• Note — Shea oil should never solidify. If this ever happens it means you have bought melted Shea butter and not Shea oil. This is why you should always buy products from a reputable retailer such as Shea Bliss. We offer natural unscented Shea oil, Sweet Orange Shea oil, Oud Shea oil, Lemongrass Shea oil and Oud and Sweet Orange Shea oil.

Consistency

• Shea oil is an excellent skin and hair moisturizer. Due to its texture Shea oil is easier to apply and absorbs faster, leaving your skin hydrated, softer and with a radiant glow.

Non comedogenic rating

• Shea oil and Shea butter are non-comedogenic. This means neither product will clog pores.

Colour

• Shea butter has an ivory colour and Shea oil has a golden hue.

Still deciding between the two? For a practical breakdown, also check out 4 Ways to Use Shea Oil.