Is Raw Shea Butter Soap Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Shea Moisture
Raw Shea Butter Soap is one of the skincare products analyzed by Zerotox for Shea Moisture. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Pentasodium Pentetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Titanium Dioxide affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium palmate and sodium cocoate as surfactants, but also contains synthetic additives like pentasodium pentetate and titanium dioxide, raising quality concerns.
Main concern
Sodium palmate and sodium cocoate are derived from palm oil, raising sustainability concerns regarding palm oil sourcing.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, known for its moisturizing properties, contributing positively to skin hydration.
- Includes natural extracts like rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, which may provide antioxidant benefits.
- Glycerin is present, a humectant that helps retain moisture in the skin, enhancing the product's moisturizing effect.
Concerns
- Sodium palmate and sodium cocoate are derived from palm oil, raising sustainability concerns regarding palm oil sourcing.
- Presence of synthetic ingredients like pentasodium pentetate and titanium dioxide indicates a level of processing that may detract from natural quality.
- Fragrance (essential oil blend) may cause irritation for sensitive skin types, which is a potential drawback for some users.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this skincare.
-
Is Sodium Palmate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Sodium Palmate is used here as surfactant. Sodium palmate is a surfactant derived from palm oil, used for cleansing. Its sourcing raises sustainability concerns.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: sodium palmate
-
Is Sodium Cocoate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Sodium Cocoate is used here as surfactant. Sodium cocoate is a surfactant derived from coconut oil, effective for cleansing but may be processed.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: sodium cocoate
-
Is Water safe in this skincare?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent and base for the soap, essential for its formulation and skin hydration.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Glycerin safe in this skincare?
Good
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, enhancing the product's moisturizing properties.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: glycerin
-
Is Fragrance safe in this skincare?
Medium
Fragrance is used here as fragrance. Fragrance is included for scent but may cause irritation for sensitive skin, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: fragrance (essential oil blend)
-
Is Butyrospermum Parkii Butter safe in this skincare?
Good
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is used here as base. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter is a natural moisturizer that nourishes and hydrates the skin effectively.
Role in formula: base
Original: butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter
Read the full ingredient profile for Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
-
Is Sodium Chloride safe in this skincare?
Medium
Sodium Chloride is used here as thickener. Sodium chloride is used as a thickener in the formulation, but its presence may raise concerns about skin irritation.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: sodium chloride
-
Is Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract safe in this skincare?
Good
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract is used here as natural_extract. Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract is included for its potential antioxidant properties, enhancing skin health.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract
Read the full ingredient profile for Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
-
Is Tocopheryl Acetate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Tocopheryl Acetate is used here as antioxidant. Tocopheryl acetate is a form of vitamin E used for its antioxidant properties, but it is a synthetic derivative.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: tocopheryl acetate
-
Is Pentasodium Pentetate safe in this skincare?
Bad
Pentasodium Pentetate is used here as chelating_agent. Pentasodium pentetate is a synthetic chelating agent that may raise concerns about synthetic additives in the formulation.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: pentasodium pentetate
-
Is Tetrasodium Etidronate safe in this skincare?
Bad
Tetrasodium Etidronate is used here as chelating_agent. Tetrasodium etidronate is a synthetic chelating agent that can raise concerns regarding its synthetic nature and safety.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: tatrasodium etidronate
-
Is Boswellia Serrata Extract safe in this skincare?
Good
Boswellia Serrata Extract is used here as natural_extract. Boswellia serrata extract is included for its potential soothing properties, contributing positively to skin care.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: boswellia serrata extract
-
Is Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract safe in this skincare?
Good
Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract is used here as natural_extract. Commiphora myrrha resin extract is known for its soothing properties, enhancing the product's skin benefits.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: commiphora myrrha resin extract
Read the full ingredient profile for Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
-
Is Titanium Dioxide safe in this skincare?
Bad
Titanium Dioxide is used here as colorant. Titanium dioxide is a synthetic colorant that raises concerns about its safety and potential for skin irritation.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: titanium dioxide
-
Is Chromium Hydroxide Green safe in this skincare?
Bad
Chromium Hydroxide Green is used here as colorant. Chromium hydroxide green is a synthetic colorant that may pose safety concerns due to its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: chromium hydroxide green
-
Is Iron Oxides safe in this skincare?
Bad
Iron Oxides is used here as colorant. Iron oxides are synthetic colorants that may raise concerns regarding their safety and potential skin irritation.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: iron oxides
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4269725
More from this brand: Shea Moisture products in Zerotox
Similar products: skincare in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.