If you have psoriasis, your social media feed might be filled with advertisements for moisturizers and ointments with shea butter, promising to relieve your itchiness and dry skin. But do any of these skin care products actually work?

While some have found success with shea butter to combat flare-ups or as part of their regular psoriasis skin care routine, it may not work for everyone. “I massage shea butter on my fingertips and cuticles,” said one MyPsoriasisTeam member. “Shea butter helps soothe my psoriasis and moisturizes my skin,” another said.

Find out what shea butter is, how it may help with skin conditions like psoriasis, and how to use it safely. Even though shea butter is available over the counter (OTC) and sometimes labeled “natural,” it’s important to talk to your doctor or dermatologist before trying it for your psoriasis.

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What Are the Benefits and Risks of Shea Butter?

Shea butter isn’t a treatment for psoriasis. It has its benefits for psoriasis-affected skin, but it’s also not for everyone. Here’s what to consider before you try it.

Benefits of Shea Butter for Psoriasis

The moisturizing, hydrating, and soothing effects of shea butter can promote healthy skin. Some benefits of this popular skin and hair care ingredient include:

• Relieving dry skin — Shea butter is an emollient, a topical ingredient for soothing and moisturizing the skin.
• Easing inflammation — Some compounds in shea butter have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe skin affected by psoriasis. However, clinical evidence is still insufficient to confirm that it can reduce inflammation associated with psoriasis.
• Helping with sun protection — Shea butter isn’t strong enough to act alone as a sunscreen, but it can be combined with other ingredients to reach SPF 15 or higher. It’s important not to rely on shea butter alone to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation.
• Preventing or delaying cell damage — Shea butter contains antioxidants, which can protect skin cells from damage and faster aging. However, there is limited clinical evidence that shea butter prevents skin damage or slows skin aging.

Shea butter is generally safe to be used on the face, lips, and body. It can be used safely in people with nut allergies.

Risks of Shea Butter for Psoriasis

Shea butter may not suit some people. Keep these possible downsides in mind:

• It can clog your pores — Because of its thick consistency, shea butter could clog your pores and lead to a breakout, especially on acne-prone skin.
• It can grow yeast — A yeast related to dandruff can grow in shea butter, which can be a concern if you’re managing seborrheic dermatitis too.
• It can trigger latex allergies — Shea trees contain natural latex, so you should not use raw or unrefined shea butter if you have a latex allergy.

Products with shea butter may contain other ingredients that may irritate or worsen psoriasis symptoms. Additionally, if you have seborrheic dermatitis, your doctor might advise you to avoid applying shea butter directly to your scalp and instead apply it to the hair lengths and ends, which are more easily damaged and may benefit from moisturizing.

Before trying a new product, it’s important to review all ingredients listed on the label with a healthcare provider.

Is Shea Butter Good for Psoriasis?

Studies have shown the benefits of shea butter for treating eczema, but the research on shea butter for psoriasis is limited.

Shea butter extract has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relief properties. In addition, its ability to relieve dry skin and ease irritation may help alleviate common symptoms of psoriasis, including scaly patches or plaques that flake, itch, burn, or sting.

While shea butter won’t replace your prescription medications and psoriasis treatments, it may be a helpful addition to your treatment plan.

What MyPsoriasisTeam Members Say About Shea Butter

As with many products for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, what works for some may not work for everyone. The good news is that shea butter can be safe for most people.

Here’s what several MyPsoriasisTeam members have said about shea butter:

• “I use shea butter cream with vitamin E and vitamin A. It relieves the itch!”
• “Shea butter is great as a moisturizer and smells nice!”
• “I used raw shea butter, and my skin was almost clear after only four days.”

A few MyPsoriasisTeam members said that shea butter didn’t work for them:

• “I can’t use shea butter. It makes my skin worse.”
• “It’s not thick enough to protect my skin.”

How To Use Shea Butter for Psoriasis

How you use shea butter for psoriasis will depend on which type of psoriasis you have and which shea butter products you want to use:

• If you have plaque psoriasis, you might try a topical moisturizer to alleviate dryness and flaking.
• If you have nail psoriasis, you might massage shea butter lotion into your hands and around your cuticles and fingernails. While shea butter might help relieve dryness, it won’t treat any underlying nail changes.
• For scalp psoriasis, you might try a gentle shea butter shampoo or conditioner. If you also have dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, pay attention to whether heavy or oil-based products aggravate your symptoms.
• To treat a psoriasis flare, you might consider a bodywash and a lotion to reduce dryness and irritation. However, talk with your dermatologist if your psoriasis plaques become increasingly inflamed, itchy, or widespread.

Note that emollients like shea butter typically need to be applied regularly, for example, three or four times a day, for maximum benefit.

Here are some tips from the National Psoriasis Foundation to keep in mind for your moisturizing routine:

• Apply moisturizers right after you bathe, shower, or wash your hands.
• Use plenty of the product for maximum moisturization.
• Don’t rub it too hard, as you might irritate your skin.

Choosing a Shea Butter Product

When choosing a product with shea butter, avoid products with added fragrance, as these can cause irritated skin. You’ll also want to avoid products with some other ingredients, like alcohol, essential oils, and dyes. However, note that fatty alcohols, such as cetyl and stearyl alcohol, are commonly used as emollients and thickeners and may not cause irritation.

It’s a good idea to test a new skin care product before using it regularly. To do this, apply a small amount to the skin on the inner arm daily for seven to 10 days. If no signs of irritation or an allergic reaction develop during this period, it’s probably safe to start using the product.

The National Psoriasis Foundation maintains a list of skin care products that received their Seal of Recognition, meaning the products are safe and nonirritating for people with psoriasis and sensitive skin. The products are reviewed by dermatologists, rheumatologists, and people living with psoriatic disease. The database is updated regularly, and you can search for products with shea butter.

How MyPsoriasisTeam Members Use Shea Butter

This is how some MyPsoriasisTeam members use shea butter:

• “I shampoo my hair with shea moisturizing shampoo and conditioner specifically for psoriasis and eczema.”
• “I use shea butter moisturizer on my ankles and elbows.”
• “Shea butter works well for me after a hot shower.”
• “I buy raw shea butter, hemp, and jojoba and mix it into a cream. It really helps my skin from drying out and cracking.”
• “I got a body lotion that relieves eczema and psoriasis. I applied it twice yesterday, once in the morning and once at night, and I can already tell it’s helping.”

You might need to experiment with different products to see if shea butter can help reduce your psoriasis symptoms, but talk to your healthcare provider first.

If you’re not already seeing a dermatologist, consider adding this type of specialist to your psoriasis care team. If you have a latex allergy, talk to an allergist before using any products containing shea butter.