Moisturizer Without Shea Butter : What You Need to Know!

Shea butter is most likely one of those materials used in almost all face and body moisturizers. But is shea butter all that good? Well, the answer will depend on whether the shea butter moisturizers suit you or not. Another thing to consider with shea butter is that Moisturizers work best when used underneath makeup. With too much thicker moisturizer, the makeup does blend well.

But as the day passes, the face will start to sweat, and the makeup will move. The skin might not look too patchy, but it will impact the products around it. And the nose contour you worked so hard on will eventually fade. And this is why shea butter moisturizers are not all good for a heavy and humid day. It is better to stick with a lightweight moisturizer.

And let’s talk about oily skin. Sebum production is generally high, and this skin is mostly acne prone. With a shea butter moisturizer daily, the face will feel oily and greasy before getting out of the house, and you will have to add more and more products to make the face matte. Eventually, the makeup will get cakey. With oily skin, a gel or water-based moisturizer is enough. And shea butter might be good, but when the face is acting on the dry side.

What is shea butter?

Shea butter is a white butter fat extracted from the shea nut and is primarily found in the west of Africa. This has been a moisturizing ingredient for centuries and is heavily used in most hydrating products. Why is shea butter heavily used? The main reason is that it has a high moisturizing and conditioning effect and will suit every skin type.

The product doesn’t make the skin oily, but it is certainly on the thicker side. Shea butter is most likely an antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal. So it will help heal the skin and provide a protective barrier.

Shea butter is also used to prevent stretch marks and scars. So this is one of the most natural healing and hydrating products. Shea butter is mainly used on hair and skin, which is why most moisturizers include shea butter to make a thicker product.

The side effects and risks of shea butter

Now that we have included all the good things about shea butter let us also shed some light on the bad parts. Shea butter is mostly for thicker moisture but does not suit everyone’s taste. And this is why we are focusing on moisturizers that do not contain any shea butter. Here are some adverse side effects of using shea butter:

• People with sensitive skin and who are allergic to tree nuts will most likely face a problem. But there was no documented case of allergies to shea. But still, people with severe allergies should refrain from using butter.
• Irritation and inflammation are possible and also possible from the products. And this is why patch-testing products are a must.
• The shea butter containing a little of the tree nut protein is most likely responsible for the allergies caused by shea butter.
• Shea butter might be listed as a low-comedogenic product, but this is not proven, and there is no available proof to support this claim.
• Shea butter can clog the pores, which will result in acne. So this is entirely good for people with acne-prone skin.
• Shea butter is likely a comedogenic product as it has a thicker consistency.
• Short-term use of shea butter is safe for up to 4 days to apply directly to the nose.
• There’s not enough information to determine whether shear is safe for long-term use.

Moisturizers and their types

Moisturizers are essential ingredients in skin care products because they most hydrate the skin. The primary purpose of creams, lotions, and oils is to keep the skin from drying, and they work as an emollient and a humectant.

The moisturizers will be applied to the outer layer, and eventually, they will penetrate deep into the skin and heal it properly. This will also help in sealing the moisture properly. The outer layer becomes drier and itchier without proper water. And they get inflamed if not treated right. There are principally three kinds of moisturizers:

An emollient

These oil-based moisturizers help build up the skin layer and heal it along the way. These will also restore the lipids that have been lost along the way. They also tend to work with inflammation and protect the skin’s microbiome.

The humectants

These sorts of moisturizers will work with water. And they are also water-based moisturizers. For example, if your skin feels too dehydrated with humectants, they will extract the water solubles from the environment and bind them to the skin. They will also work with the water in your skin to seal the product into the skin’s outer layer. Examples of humectants are hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and glycerol.

Occlusives

These are on the heavier side, and they tend to bind the water of the skin to the skin. They are primarily on the more severe side, and they are either wax, oil, or silicone-based. They treat eczema, and shea butter is used chiefly with occlusives. They are used for extremely dehydrated skin; some primers are also good examples.

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Types of moisturizers based on skin type

There are primarily three types of skin: oily, dry, and routine. With normal skin, people don’t have to think a lot. But if we mention all skin types, an honorable mention will go to sensitive skin. They tend to be more prone to breakouts and acne and must be conscientious when choosing the ingredients.

Oily skin type

For moisturizers, oily skin tends to be more on the dry side as the pores get blocked by excess sebum production. So a lightweight and water-based moisturizer will be best for these skin types. The perfect moisturizers for oily skin types are:

1. Gel moisturizers
2. Lightweight lotion
3. Serum moisturizers
4. Hydrating toners

Dry skin types

If you are to think of shea butter in a moisturizer, then we have to mention the ones for dry skin. These sorts of moisturizers are a bit on the thicker side, and an emollient or occlusive would be a perfect choice. The perfect moisturizers for dry skin types are:

• Face oil
• Thicker moisturizers
• Creams

Sensitive skin types

For this sort of skin, nothing is genuinely recommended. But we recommend avoiding ingredients that are too harsh, like exfoliants and comedogenic products like coconut oil. The best moisturizers for sensitive skin are:

• Lightweight balm
• Water-based creams

So now that we have included a list of products that tend to be for different skin types let’s jump into the moisturizers without the shea butter ones. For us, the moisturizer without shea butter will be the ones that are made for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. So here we are, including a brief on moisturizer without shea butter.

Moisturizer without shea butter: gel cream

The rich creams tend to make the skin heavier and greasy. So the best alternative is gel creams. These are heaven for the oily and acne-prone people out there. Adding lightweight and hydrating gel creams is a treat for everyone. This will go perfectly in the winter and work just fine in the summer. They are simply the best of both worlds. Some of the features of gel cream moisturizers are:

• They are lightweight and are perfect for people who don’t like heavy and thick creams.
• They are easy to apply and absorb quickly into the skin.
• They do not leave any greasy residue and glide on perfectly.
• They will rejuvenate dull skin and make skin more soothing with time.

Our top picks for gel moisturizers:

Here we are including some of the best gel moisturizers out there.

1. Peach and lily glass skin water gel moisturizer: They will give you very glowing skin and are perfect for dry to oily skin. The main ingredients are hyaluronic acid and peach kiwi extract, and they also help with redness.
2. E.l.f. Super Hydrating Moisturizer: These are some of the most affordable drugstore moisturizers out there and have Vitamin E, squalene—a humectant, and niacinamide—the OG ingredients for oily skin.
3. Neutrogena Hydroboost water gel cream: These are also on the affordable side, and they are perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin. They are packed with retinoids, perfect for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. An ideal summer gel cream.

Moisturizer without shea butter: lightweight lotion

If you want to go a step up from the gel creams or are looking for a bit thicker but still very light moisturizer, then the best way to go is with a lightweight lotion. These are perfect for every season, and for winter, with oily skin, they might be your savior. And this is why these moisturizers are a must for those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. Here are some features of lightweight lotion:

• They will not clog the pores and will not make the skin tacky.
• They go perfectly well with a sunscreen layer on top. Some of the lotions also have SPF in them.
• These will dry out faster without leaving any stickiness behind, and they are not as heavy as creams.
• They can be specific to problems like healing inflammation and proper hydration.
• They provide the perfect balance of hydration and PH.

Our top picks for a lightweight lotion:

Here we are including some of the best lotions for oily and sensitive skin.

1. CeraVe PM facial moisturizing lotion: These are some of the most lightweight face lotions out there. And if you’re looking for summer night cream, then this is also perfect. They contain niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid and will provide 24-hour moisture.
2. Proactive Green Tea Moisturizer: These are specially made for acne-prone skin, and they have a very lightweight formula to start with. They are also certified as non-comedogenic, so they are not going to clog the pores. People who suffer from combination skin should give this product a try.
3. First aid beauty skin rescue oil-free mattifying gel: This lightweight gel lotion helps to control oil and is packed with lecithin, zinc PCA, and other ingredients. The lighter, the better, is the motto followed by the brand.

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Final thoughts

Moisturizers are one of the most effective and efficient ways of holding proper moisture to the skin. And shea butter is one of the top ingredients that tend to leave a thick layer of moisture that makes the skin better with just one layer of it. But shea butter is all good when used in winter. What about summer? No one wants to use a moisturizer that is too heavy and greasy on the skin in the summer. Moreover, a shea butter moisturizer and a heavy layer of sunscreen are not all good feelings.

Key Points

1. Shea butter is most likely anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. As a result, it will both heal and protect the skin.
2. Shea butter may be listed as a low-comedogenic substance; however, this has not been established, and no evidence exists to back this claim.
3. Moisturizers that do not include shea butter include gel moisturizers, lightweight lotions, serum moisturizers, and hydrating toners.

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