Shea butter is made from the oil of a fruit harvested from Vitellaria paradoxa, the shea tree, which is found in Africa. This is in the Sapotaceae family of plants which includes other African plants which produce fruit.

Shea nuts are NOT classified as tree nuts globally with the exception of the USA, where it is included in their list of tree nuts which should be avoided by those with a nut allergy.

Shea butter is used in beauty products, candles, sweets and health products. Unrefined shea is less processed and more likely to still contain allergens. Refined shea butters are more processed, which can damage allergenic proteins and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Studies have shown that there have been very few recorded allergic reactions to products containing shea butter.

Interestingly we haven't been able to find any incidents of occupational dermatitis from Shea Nut pickers or processors, which is usually the case for most foods or cosmetic ingredients, which goes to show how hypoallergenic shea butter is.

Shea butter is not associated with any allergic syndromes. Allergic contact dermatitis is usually associated with additional products added to shea butter, like fragrance or essential oils.

No allergens have currently been found in shea butters or oils, so there is no cross reactivity.

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