Shea butter: what it is and how to read it on a label

INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter

A fat pressed from the nut of the West African shea tree. Solid at room temperature, melts at skin temperature. It's an occlusive — it sits on the surface and slows how quickly water leaves the skin.

Unrefined shea has a distinct nutty smell and a yellow-ish colour. Refined shea is white and near-odourless. Neither is better; they're different trade-offs between processing and smell.

On a label: high up in balms and body products. Watch for: "shea butter" on the front of something where it's the fourteenth ingredient.