Shea Butter For Babies: Possible Benefits And Precautions

Shea butter soothes and moisturizes babies' skin, and organic varieties are the safest.

Reviewed by Cari Riker, RDN, LDN, CDE Cari Riker Cari RikerRDN, LDN, CDE Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Dietetics/ NutritionExperience: 10 years
Written by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Edited by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Fact-checked by , MSc, MA, BEd Ghazia Shah MSc, MA, BEd Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 3 years
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Benefits Of Shea Butter For Babies

Image: Shutterstock

Shea butter is a plant-based fat derived from shea nuts. It is widely used in the haircare, skincare, and cosmetic industries. You may consider shea butter for babies if you are exploring natural, plant-based moisturizers.

The butter has a mild, nut-like aroma and is considered to be an effective emollient with anti-inflammatory properties (1). However, since it is derived from a tree nut, you need to stay alert to any allergic reactions.

Read on to know the various uses and benefits of shea butter and the precautions to consider when using it for babies.

In This Article

Is Shea Butter Safe For Babies?

Shea butter is considered safe for topical use in babies. This natural skincare product is primarily made up of saturated fatty acids like palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid (2). It is considered a wonderful moisturizer for dry skin.

The linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid considered vital for health. Besides, the butter contains vitamin E that is good for the skin.

Raw shea butter (organic) is best for topical use among babies and toddlers since it does not contain chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, and preservatives. However, consult a pediatrician before using shea butter for babies.

Possible Benefits Of Shea Butter For Babies

Shea butter has a range of uses, from a natural infant moisturizer to treatment for certain skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, and insect bites. Here are a few of its uses:

  1. Moisturizes the skin: Shea butter is known to have moisturizing properties due to the presence of fatty acids and vitamin E. Newborn skincare is essential, and shea butter is considered one of the safest natural emollients and skin softeners you can use to moisturize your infant’s skin, scalp, and hair. Several organic baby care products such as baby wipes, baby balms, baby creams, daily lotions, night baby lotion, shampoos, and moisturizing creams claim to contain shea butter. The fatty acids present in shea butter contribute to hydrating your baby’s skin by sealing in moisture, promoting overall skin health, and maintaining suppleness (3).
  2. Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties: The natural, plant-based ingredient contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (4) (1) that can soothe diaper rash and insect bites. The antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter also help stimulate collagen production, which helps soothe skin conditions such as roughness and chafing (5).
The natural ingredients in shea butter help soothe diaper rash in babies

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Soothes skin rashes: Several studies demonstrated the effectiveness of shea butter in managing eczema or atopic dermatitis (6). It is believed that shea butter, with its emollient properties, works as an occlusive barrier that helps retain moisture. It also helps in protecting the skin from irritants (7) and enhances collagen production that could help soothe eczema. In addition, shea butter is used to treat conditions such as cradle caps in babies as it is absorbed by the skin quickly and does not leave a greasy residue (8). (9).

Kendra, a mother and ardent blogger, shares her recipe for a homemade lotion that helped her relieve her daughter’s eczema. She explains, “While I can’t claim that it has cured her eczema, it certainly has helped her poor face, chest, and arms. First, I measured the shea butter and avocado oil on my digital scale and then put them in my measuring cup. I put that into a pot of simmering water and let them melt together. When completely melted and mixed, I removed them from the heat and added the Vitamin E. Then, I let it all cool to room temperature. The next step is to whip it up into a meringue-like consistency… I’ve been putting this on her about 2-3 times daily, sometimes alternating with my other lotion or straight coconut oil (i).”

  1. Probable sun-protection function: Shea butter is found to have certain compounds that are known to have strong absorbance of UV radiation. However, more research is needed to validate these observations (10).
  2. Improves skin elasticity: The presence of vitamins A and E in shea butter helps enhance the skin’s elasticity and protect it from potential damage (11).

How To Use Shea Butter For Babies?

Shea butter is used as an ingredient in natural baby products for the skin, scalp, and hair.

  1. Massage: Heat a teaspoon of shea butter and use it to massage your baby’s body regularly before bath time.
  1. Moisturizing cream: Take a small amount of butter in your hands, rub it between your palms, and apply it on the baby’s skin, except around the eyes and on genitals.
Apply it on the baby’s skin, except around the eyes and on genitals.

Image: Shutterstock

  1. For skin conditions: Do not warm the butter. Instead, use it as a skin lotion applied after a bath. It is most effective if you use it after a bath when the skin is soft and more receptive to emollients.
  1. Hair cream: You may use shea butter for your baby’s dry hair and scalp. It can be a good source of moisture for baby hair.
protip_icon Quick fact
The essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E in shea butter help reduce hair dryness and frizz. Fatty acids also make the hair shiny (12).
  1. Baby diaper rash cream: You can apply a thin layer of shea butter in and around the diaper area, excluding genitals.

Consult a doctor before using shea butter for any of the above purposes. Your doctor can suggest the right brands to use for the baby.

Precautions To Take While Using Shea Butter For Babies

  1. Observing some simple precautionary steps can help you use shea butter safely for babies.
  2. Prefer raw, organic shea butter to its refined alternatives. 100% raw organic shea butter does not contain any added compounds or preservatives.
  3. Buy shea butter from a trusted source. Check for quality if you are buying a basic homemade lotion made of shea butter.
  4. If you are buying other natural baby care products that contain shea butter, then check the ingredients carefully. Look for the presence of harmful chemical ingredients, such as SLS and paraben. Give preference to products that contain only natural, plant-based ingredients.
Check the label carefully for any harmful ingredients

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Do a patch test on a small area of the skin before using the product on the rest of the baby’s body. It can help determine possible allergic reactions. If you observe any redness, itching, swelling, or signs of general irritation, do not use the baby product.
protip_icon Point to consider
Shea butter can be safely used by those with nut allergies, as it is entirely made of fat. However, raw varieties contain latex and may cause latex allergies (3).
  1. If you intend to heat shea butter, then do so only on low heat. Once heated, check the temperature by applying it on the inside of your wrist. Do not apply hot shea butter on your baby’s skin as it could lead to burns.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I mix with shea butter for my baby skin?

You may mix several ingredients, such as aloe vera, coconut oil, honey, and sweet almond oil, with shea baby body butter to make a DIY lotion or baby oil. Before applying the baby massage oil to your baby’s skin, consult a doctor to know about the safety of the ingredients.

2. Can shea butter grow baby hair?

Yes, shea butter helps promote hair growth and prevents hair loss. Shea butter does not clog the scalp pores while working as an excellent hair moisturizer. Moreover, it aids in maintaining healthy hair follicles (12).

3. Is shea butter good for babies with eczema?

Babies with eczema experience itch and sleep disturbances. However, studies show that shea butter works as a skin conditioning agent and is effective in treating skin issues. It consists of triterpene cinnamates and acetates, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing eczema (13).

4. How long does it take for shea butter to work on eczema?

Studies have shown that a moisturizer containing shea butter improves the signs and symptoms of mild-to-moderate body eczema after 2 weeks (14).

Using shea butter for babies helps in providing nourishment to their skin and also keeps it moisturized. It is also known to possess anti-inflammatory properties that help manage signs of dermatitis or eczema. Ensure that you use the raw and organic form of shea butter to prevent your baby’s exposure to harmful chemicals, and also be on the lookout for signs of allergies. If your baby’s skin shows signs of severe dryness and itching, it is advised that you consult the doctor before using shea butter on their skin.

Infographic: Homemade Baby Moisturizing Lotion With Shea Butter

Shea butter is considered safe for baby skin and may be used as an ingredient in moisturizing baby lotions. Ensure that you purchase good-quality, organic shea butter. Also, do a patch test of the final product on your baby before applying it to large skin sections. The infographic below provides a simple recipe for a homemade baby lotion using shea butter.

diy baby lotion recipe with shea butter (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Shea butter is safe to use for babies after consulting a pediatrician, as it moisturizes the skin, soothes rashes, provides sun protection, and is anti-inflammatory.
  • It can deeply moisturize the baby’s skin, prevent dryness, and may also help deal with eczema.
  • Prefer raw and organic butter, buy from a trusted store, check ingredients, and test the reaction by applying it on a small patch of skin.
shea butter for babies_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. How to make an easy winter hand salve (aka eczema fighting lotion);
https://asonomagarden.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/how-to-make-an-easy-winter-hand-salve-aka-eczema-fighting-lotion/

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Tzu-Kai Lin et al.; Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils; National Center For Biotechnology Information
2. SchandraPurnamawatiet al.; The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review; National Center For Biotechnology Information
3. 6 Incredible Benefits of Shea Butter; Cleveland Clinic
4. Verma N et al.; Anti-inflammatory effects of shea butter through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, and cytokines via the Nf-κB pathway in LPS-activated J774 macrophage cells.; National Center For Biotechnology Information
5. Marta Salvador Ferreira et al.; Trends in the Use of Botanicals in Anti-Aging Cosmetics; NIH
6. Diluvio L et al.; Clinical and confocal evaluation of avenanthramides-based daily cleansing and emollient cream in pediatric population affected by atopic dermatitis and xerosis.; National Center For Biotechnology Information
7. KamLun Hon et al.; Emollient treatment of atopic dermatitis: latest evidence and clinical considerations; National Center For Biotechnology Information
8. KFederica Dall’Oglio et al.; An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis; NIH
9. Seborrheic Dermatitis — What the Latest Research is Saying, From How it Develops to Current Treatments and More; National Eczema Association
10. Lucia Montenegro and Ludovica Maria Santagati; Use of Vegetable Oils to Improve the Sun Protection Factor of Sunscreen Formulations; MDPI
11. How To Naturally Nourish Your Skin? The Answer Is – Raw African Shea Butter!; FairTale Ghana
12. Shea Butter for your hair; Okere City
13. Study Product for Mild to Moderate Eczema; ClinicalTrials.gov
14. Skin acceptability of a cosmetic moisturizer formulation in female subjects with sensitive skin; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Cari Riker
Cari RikerRDN, LDN, CDE
Cari Riker practices Nutritional Medicine in Nashville, TN. Having grown up in a family that has a love for food, dietetics was a natural choice for Cari. With more than ten years of experience, Cari advises people on matters of food and nutrition, considering how they both impact health.

Read full bio of Cari Riker
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Ghazia Shah
Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd
Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English.

Read full bio of Ghazia Shah