Top Shea Butter Brands for Luxurious Skincare

Shea butter, a versatile and highly nourishing ingredient, has taken the beauty and skincare world by storm due to its rich moisturizing properties. Many brands harness the power of shea butter to create products that cater to all skin types, promising to soothe, hydrate, and rejuvenate. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to identify which brands truly stand out in terms of quality and effectiveness. To help you find the best shea butter products for your needs, we have compiled a list of top-rated brands renowned for their outstanding formulations and customer satisfaction. Discover the crème de la crème of shea butter brands below.

Illustration of shea butter

Best brands of shea butter in 2025

SheaMoisture

SheaMoisture is a leading brand in the shea butter industry, known for its ethical sourcing and commitment to empowering women in West Africa. The company works with local, women-led cooperatives, paying an extra premium that represents an 89% increase in revenue for the women involved. Since its inception, SheaMoisture has purchased over $12 million in shea butter over 10 years, impacting over 345,000 individuals and providing $1 million in fair trade premiums. The brand also invests in infrastructure and technology, with $1.6 million in grants provided in 2022-23. By purchasing SheaMoisture products, consumers support fair wages and sustainable practices. You can find more about their commitment to ethical sourcing through their ethical sourcing initiatives.

L'Occitane

L'Occitane is a leading brand in the production and fair trade of shea butter, sourcing it directly from women's groups in Burkina Faso and ensuring a 60% higher price than the export market, which translates to a 20% higher hourly wage for producers compared to the minimum wage for farm workers. The company purchases over 750 tons of shea butter annually, supporting around 15,000 rural women and generating $1.23 million in revenues yearly. L'Occitane's commitment to fair trade and sustainability has been recognized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The brand's shea butter products, such as the Ultra Rich Body Cream, feature high concentrations of shea butter, up to 25%, and are known for their nourishing and moisturizing properties. L'Occitane's fair trade practices help in creating value within Burkina Faso and ensuring better wealth distribution. Explore more about their shea butter collection.

Nubian Heritage

Nubian Heritage is a renowned brand that excels in producing high-quality shea butter products, ethically sourcing from seven women's co-ops in Northern Ghana, where over 700 women are paid ethical wages. Founded in 1992 by Richelieu Dennis and Nyema Tubman, the brand has grown globally, leveraging ancient healing traditions and indigenous ingredients. Nubian Heritage products are available in major retailers such as Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, and Wegmans. The brand's commitment to community commerce ensures that the women involved in the co-ops experience improved health, education, and financial freedom. With a strong focus on cultural authenticity and natural ingredients, Nubian Heritage continues to innovate in the skin and hair care industry. For more on their Raw Shea Butter collections, visit their website.

Karité

Karite is not a brand mentioned in the provided sources, but if we consider the context of shea butter production, Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso are among the top producers. Nigeria accounts for approximately 42.77% of global shea nut production, with a volume of 348.94 million kg in 2022. Mali produces around 26.45% with 215.75 million kg in the same year, while Burkina Faso contributes about 12.95% with 105.69 million kg. For more insights on shea nut production, you can visit Tridge's comprehensive overview.

Tree Hut

Tree Hut is renowned as one of the best producers of shea butter, offering ultra-nourishing products that combine shea butter with softening plant oils for an airy, glide-on formula. Their whipped body butters provide lasting moisture and softness, making them a popular choice for skincare. The global demand for shea butter, which has grown by 600% in the past twenty years, underscores the importance of high-quality products like those from Tree Hut. Their formulations ensure long-lasting hydration, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth, and glowing. With a focus on luxurious and lightweight body butters, Tree Hut caters to the increasing international demand for shea butter products. For more details on their whipped body butters, visit their website.

Better Shea Butter

Better Shea Butter is a renowned brand in the shea butter market, known for its ethically sourced and high-quality products. The brand offers pure, unrefined shea butter that is ideal for skin conditions like eczema, dry skin, and stretch marks, leveraging the natural moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of shea butter. With a focus on natural and organic skincare, Better Shea Butter aligns with the growing consumer preference for eco-friendly and sustainable ingredients, contributing to the market's projected CAGR of 7.9% from 2025 to 2030. The brand's commitment to quality is reflected in its customer satisfaction, with over 1 million products sold and a strong reputation for effective, preservative-free skincare solutions. Better Shea Butter's products are vegan-friendly and free from synthetic ingredients, making them a popular choice in the beauty and personal care sector. For more information about their offerings, visit their website: Better Shea Butter.

Out of Africa

Out of Africa is a renowned brand in the shea butter industry, leveraging the rich resources of West Africa, where approximately 70-80% of the world's shea butter is produced. The brand sources its shea nuts primarily from countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and Nigeria, which collectively account for over 70% of global shea nut production. Known for its high-quality products, Out of Africa ensures rigorous quality control, often resulting in premium shea butter that can command prices up to $10 per kilogram. The brand supports local communities, particularly women, who are the main actors in the shea nut collection and processing, providing livelihoods for millions. By adopting modern processing techniques while respecting traditional methods, Out of Africa contributes to the sustainability and economic development of the shea butter industry. For more information, visit their official website.

Alaffia

Alaffia is renowned as one of the best producers of shea butter, offering high-quality, fair trade, and cruelty-free products. Their shea butter is handcrafted at cooperatives in West Africa, particularly in Togo, ensuring intense moisturization and nourishment with fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Alaffia's products are formulated without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, artificial color, or synthetic fragrance. The brand supports local communities by contributing to the economic empowerment of women and children in the region. With a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, Alaffia stands out in the global shea butter market.

AFRICAN SHEA BUTTER

African Shea Butter is renowned as one of the best producers of shea butter, with the majority of global production originating from West, Central, and East African countries. Africa accounts for approximately 60% of global shea nut production, with key producers including Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire, collectively accounting for over 70% of global production. The shea butter from these regions is highly valued for its quality, with countries like Nigeria and Ghana providing premium sources of shea butter from the Vitellaria Paradoxa species. The industry supports livelihoods for over 16 million people, particularly women in rural communities, and is expected to grow significantly, with the global shea butter market projected to reach $2,408.7 million by 2030. The use of traditional and modern processing techniques ensures high-quality products that are in demand globally. For more information on premium African Shea Butter, visit this link.

Plant Therapy

Plant Therapy is recognized as a leading brand in the production and distribution of high-quality shea butter products, aligning with the growing demand for natural and eco-friendly personal care items. The shea butter market, which surpassed USD 2 billion in 2022, is expected to grow at a 6% CAGR from 2023 to 2032, driven by increasing demand for organic and sustainable products. Plant Therapy's commitment to using plant-based ingredients and sustainable practices resonates with consumers seeking cleaner and greener living solutions. The brand's focus on affordability and effectiveness makes it a preferred choice in the market. As the North American shea butter market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.02% from 2023 to 2029, Plant Therapy is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.