Shea nut oil is cold-pressed from Vitellaria paradoxa, the shea tree, and it delivers the tree's nourishing fatty acids and natural vitamin E in a liquid form that's easier to work into skincare and hair care than solid shea butter. It has a light-to-medium texture, a mild nutty aroma, and a pale golden color.
It absorbs comfortably without a heavy residue, which makes it a genuine everyday option for normal, dry, sensitive, and mature skin, and for dry or frizz-prone hair. Many people use it to soothe dry, tight-feeling skin or to condition hair ends — we describe that as long-used, common practice rather than a guaranteed outcome.
Because it stays liquid at room temperature rather than solidifying like whole shea butter, it's easier to pump, pour, or measure into a DIY blend without needing to warm or melt anything first. Compared to lighter oils in our collection, such as safflower or sesame oil, shea nut oil sits toward the middle of the weight range — richer than a featherlight oil but still light enough for regular use, which is part of why it suits such a broad range of skin types.
On hair, a small amount smoothed through damp ends before styling can help tame flyaways and add a bit of shine, while a slightly larger amount worked into dry ends overnight functions as a simple leave-in treatment. On the body, it layers well under a heavier body butter for extra staying power, or can be used on its own after a shower while skin is still a little damp, which tends to help it spread more evenly.
It's also a good base for essential oil blends: dilute at roughly 1% for the face (about 1 drop per teaspoon) or 2–3% for the body.
For external use only. If you have a nut sensitivity, consult a professional before use, avoid contact with eyes, and patch test on a small area of skin first.
Browse the full Carrier Oil collection, or pair it with something from the Essential Oil collection for a DIY blend.