If you have oily skin, we can understand why you might be reluctant to try new products or any kind of butter on your skin. Shea butter is renowned for having a thick consistency, and so many people with oily skin tend to stay far away from it.
Another thing that many people fear is that using shea butter on oily skin can lead to breakouts. But how much truth is there in these statements? Have you ever tried using shea butter on your skin or just stay far away from it based on what’s commonly said about it?
The truth is that shea butter is not as bad as people make it out to be for oily skin. Instead, it can be quite beneficial when used correctly. So, here we’ll be fighting the long-standing conviction that shea butter is not good for oily skin.
What is Shea Butter?
Before we begin, you must know what shea butter is and how it’s made. It’s essentially a type of natural fat that’s extracted from a specific tree species in Africa called the Karite. The butter created using the extract is full of vitamins A, E, and F. Therefore, it proves to be a great option for getting rid of your wrinkles and hydrating your skin.
Moreover, shea butter is renowned for having anti-aging properties and for helping get rid of sun damage. It’s an overall great addition to have in your skincare regime and proves to be beneficial for many things.
Can You Apply Shea Butter to Your Face?
When it comes to applying shea butter to your face, you must know that it’s excellent for your face as well. While many use it for their entire body, using shea butter for your face is also a great option. It helps in soothing burns, hydrating your face, relieve you of acne breakouts, and more.
Now, you must be wondering whether this works for those who have oily skin. So, let’s get into it before any further ado.
Can You Use Shea Butter for Your Oily Skin?
Shea butter proves to be a great addition to your skincare for a myriad of reasons. But what happens if you have oily skin? The reality is that many people stay far away from shea butter due to its overly hydrating texture. However, shea butter is in no way linked to causing an acne breakout or clogging your pores at all.
The use of oily elements for oily skin isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It depends on the type of product you’re using. If you go for something that’s too heavy and clogs pores, then that’ll result in an acne breakout and other skin issues.
When it comes to shea butter for oily skin, using a moderate amount for your face and skin can do wonders. Similar to how you need healthy fat to burn old fat, shea butter acts as a way to improve your oily skin like never before.
But how do you know which item is healthy fat, and more importantly, how do you know shea butter belongs to this category?
Shea Butter: A Non-Comedogenic
One way to figure out whether a product or oil is good for you or not is through their comedogenic rating. This explains the extent to which a product can clog your pores. The rating goes from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating that the product can significantly clog your pores.
When talking about shea butter, it comes under one of the few products that has a comedogenic rating of 0. Yes, you read that right. The product doesn’t cause any clogged pores and allows you to enjoy all the benefits that it comes with.
The Presence of Oleic Acid
Another issue that arises when it comes to the use of shea butter is the presence of oleic acid in the mix. It’s believed that oleic acid gives way to the clogging of pores due to its heaviness. While we’re talking about how shea butter is a non-comedogenic product, this might make you want to stay away from it.
The thing you should be focusing on is the type of shea butter you’re using. The Nilotica version of shea butter proves to be heavier and can lead to clogging of pores. However, when it comes to West shea butter, it’s a much safer option as it’s lighter on your skin. So, people with oily skin should always verify that they’re going for the latter option.
Benefits of Using Shea Butter
Shea butter comes with a range of benefits for all skin types, especially oily skin people. Let’s have a look at some of the more prominent ones for those with oily skin.
Anti-Inflammatory
Oily-skinned people are more prone to breakouts due to clogged pores and increased inflammation. Shea butter fights off inflammation and allows you to soothe your skin quickly, without worrying about any side effects.
Moisturizing
Oily skin needs to be moisturized to ensure that sebum production is under control. Shea butter helps in this process and allows you to minimize the oiliness on your skin. All you have to do is keep in mind that a little product goes a long way so you don’t over-moisturize your skin.
Non-Comedogenic
We’ve discussed how shea butter is a non-comedogenic product, so you’ll find it to be great for oily skin. Again, it needs to be used in moderation to keep your skin healthy.
The Bottom Line
All in all, shea butter is a great product that you can add to your skincare, especially if you have oily skin. It comes with non-comedogenic properties and allows you to maintain a good oil balance on your skin.
The trick is to ensure that you use a little shea butter so that you’re able to make the most of it. Going in too much with this or any other product can result in your pores becoming blocked, resulting in breakouts. So, a light hand and a little product go a long way.
