Shea Butter is a rich, creamy substance derived from the nut of the Shea tree. It is widely used for its gentle, moisturizing properties and for its gentle anti-inflammatory properties. Although the benefits of shea butter for your skin are well known, the benefits for hair growth haven’t gotten as much attention.

Right now there are only 66 studies done on shea butter and its moisturizing properties, and none conducted on shea butter as it applies to hair. Until scientific studies are done to prove it helps with hair growth, any references to shea butter and hair must be considered purely anecdotal. Here’s what we do know about shea butter and hair growth.

Shea butter may help strengthen hair

Shea butter is known for its moisturizing qualities in skin, which may also transfer over to the scalp and hair. Shea butter may work to seal in your own natural oils, letting them do their work to keep your hair as strong as possible.

This could potentially lead to stronger hair and less breakage, but likely won’t work to stimulate new growth.

Shea butter reduces inflammation

One promising study has linked shea butter to anti-inflammatory properties studied in mice. While it’s important to remember that what we learn in mice does not always transfer into human health, the research itself is very promising.

Some types of hair loss are associated with inflammation, so treating your hair follicles with an anti-inflammatory is a sensible step if you don’t know the cause of your hair loss. If your hair loss is caused by an inflammatory condition, than treating it with anti-inflammatories such as shea butter may help stop or even reverse hair loss.

This will not work for genetic conditions or reasons for hair loss that are not caused by inflammation. Speak to your doctor if you’re not sure about what is causing your hair loss.

Principal Benefits of Shea Butter for Skin and Hair

Shea butter is a nutrient rich natural butter that delivers deep moisturization and barrier support for skin and scalp.
Rich in vitamins A and E, essential fatty acids, and plant sterols, it helps soothe irritation, promote skin repair, and improve elasticity while reducing moisture loss.
For hair, shea butter conditions and protects strands, reduces breakage, and helps relieve dry, flaky scalps, creating a healthier environment for hair growth.

Key benefits

  • Deep moisturization: restores and locks in moisture for dry or rough skin.
  • Soothes inflammation: calms eczema, dermatitis, and irritated skin.
  • Supports barrier function: improves skin elasticity and reduces transepidermal water loss.
  • Antioxidant and anti-aging support: vitamins A and E help protect against environmental damage and improve skin texture.
  • Wound and scar support: promotes recovery of minor skin damage and improves appearance over time.
  • Scalp health: moisturizes the scalp, reduces flaking, and soothes itching.
  • Hair strength and shine: conditions hair, reduces friction and breakage, and smooths the hair cuticle.
  • Mild natural UV support: provides limited sun protection while helping shield hair from environmental stressors.

Use unrefined or minimally processed shea butter for maximum benefit and patch test new products if you have sensitive or acne prone skin.
For formulation guidance or clinical recommendations, consult a licensed dermatologist or trichologist.

Can shea butter help regrow hair?

Shea butter may be useful as part of a hair growth strategy, but it is unlikely to help with most hair loss related issues. In the end, if you are suffering with hair loss, the best choice is to consult a doctor who can help you find the cause of your hair loss, then a hair loss clinic who can help treat your hair loss and give you back the full head of hair you once had.

A doctor will be able to determine if there is a medical condition causing your hair loss, or if it is genetic. In the case of genetic hair loss, the best possible choice is to visit a hair loss clinic, who can make recommendations based on your individual needs.

Although shea butter is not a good candidate for hair regrowth, it may be useful in keeping the hair you do have in good condition, so it does not break and thin your scalp even more.

For more information, or help with hair loss or thinning hair, reach out to the hair loss experts at Hair Replacement Clinic in Dayton, Ohio.