SHEA BUTTER GLYCERIDE

Substance information

Ingredient on the basis of shea butter (butyrospermum parkii butter). Glycerides are conversion products of glycerin (esters), which are obtained through a reaction with fats (through so-called trans-esterification) or through direct esterification with one or more fatty acid(s) (mono-, di- or triglycerides).

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Allows the formation of finely dispersed mixtures of oil and water (emulsions)

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Origin

plant/synthetic (Information may exclusively reflect the status at initial entry of this ingredient into the relevant INCI dictionary; technological progress may have added new manufacturing options based on substances of different origin)

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Shea butter (INCI: as word component SHEA BUTTER or BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER) is obtained from the fruits of the shea tree. The fat obtained from the shea nut can be used in many different ways in cosmetics, since shea butter contains many valuable ingredients which are supposed to have a caring effect: apart from unsaturated fatty acids, it contains, for instance, the antioxidants Vitamin E and allantoin. Shea butter is a high-quality caring and moisture substance and is, therefore, particularly suited for the care of dry to very dry skin. Shea butter penetrates particularly well into the skin and makes it soft and receptive for other substances. Dry and brittle hair is provided by the butter with softness and suppleness because of the many fatty acids contained therein. Through ingredients such as allantoin, shea butter can also be used for skin irritations and contributes towards an acceleration of the cell structure as well as the cell formation and regeneration of the skin. Shea butter is also well suited for lipcare. Emulsifiers are often used in cosmetics as excipients. They allow actually unmixable components like oil and water to be brought in a permanently stable emulsion. In this way both aqueous and oily care and active ingredients can be used in one and the same product in cosmetics. Emulsifiers are able to do that since their molecules consist of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic part. In this way they can reduce the interfacial tension which actually exists between two incompatible substances like fat and water. Emulsifiers are, more particularly, used for creams, lotions and cleansing agents. At present emulsifiers are, however, more than only excipients which keep an emulsion stable. Fatty acid esters on the basis of sugar, lecithin or glycerin monodistearate contribute, for instance, to improving the moisture balance of the skin and are, therefore, also considered as cosmetic active ingredients.

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.