Shea Moisture product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Shea Moisture Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Shea Moisture is a skincare. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.

The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

The composition includes sodium benzoate as a preservative and parfum as a fragrance, indicating some synthetic additives that raise quality concerns. However, it also contains beneficial ingredients like shea butter and hydrolyzed rice protein.

Main concern

Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about the presence of artificial additives in the formulation.

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, which is known for its moisturizing properties, supporting hair hydration.
  • Hydrolyzed rice protein can help strengthen hair, reducing breakage and improving overall hair health.
  • Includes coconut aloe barbadensis leaf juice, which may provide additional moisture and nourishment to the hair.
  • Fair Trade ingredients indicate a commitment to ethical sourcing, enhancing the product's overall quality.

Concerns

  • Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about the presence of artificial additives in the formulation.
  • Parfum is a synthetic fragrance that may cause irritation for sensitive individuals, impacting the product's safety profile.
  • Potassium sorbate, while a common preservative, can be a concern for those avoiding synthetic ingredients.
  • The presence of sodium hydroxide indicates potential for irritation, especially if not properly formulated.

Who should avoid this product?

This skincare may not be the best fit for:

  • people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity

Ingredients breakdown

Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this skincare so the page answers more than a simple label list.

  • Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this skincare?

    Bad

    Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative used to prevent microbial growth in this shampoo. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about quality and safety.

    Role in formula: preservative

    Original: Sodium Benzoate

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Benzoate

  • Is Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter safe in this skincare?

    Good

    Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter is used here as base. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter is a natural fat that provides deep moisture and nourishment to the hair, enhancing hydration and softness.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter

    Read the full ingredient profile for Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter

  • Is Hydrolyzed Rice Protein safe in this skincare?

    Good

    Hydrolyzed Rice Protein is used here as natural_extract. Hydrolyzed rice protein helps strengthen hair by penetrating the hair shaft, reducing breakage and improving overall hair resilience.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

    Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

  • Is Coconut Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice safe in this skincare?

    Good

    Coconut Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is used here as natural_extract. Coconut aloe barbadensis leaf juice is known for its hydrating properties, providing moisture and soothing benefits to the scalp and hair.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: Coconut Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

  • Is Parfum safe in this skincare?

    Bad

    Parfum is used here as fragrance. Parfum is a synthetic fragrance that can cause allergic reactions or irritation in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.

    Role in formula: fragrance

    Original: Parfum

    Read the full ingredient profile for Parfum

  • Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this skincare?

    Medium

    Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a mild preservative used to inhibit mold and yeast growth. While generally recognized as safe, it is still a synthetic additive.

    Role in formula: preservative

    Original: Potassium Sorbate

    Read the full ingredient profile for Potassium Sorbate

  • Is Sodium Hydroxide safe in this skincare?

    Bad

    Sodium Hydroxide is used here as alkaline agent. Sodium hydroxide is used to adjust pH levels but can be irritating to the skin and eyes if not properly formulated, raising safety concerns.

    Role in formula: alkaline agent

    Original: Sodium Hydroxide

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Hydroxide

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: 4284250

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.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Our analysis flags fragrance in Shea Moisture. See the Ingredients section above.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, hydrolyzed rice protein, coconut aloe barbadensis leaf juice. See the Ingredients section above.
Shea Moisture has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among skincare products. See the full breakdown above.
This product contains fragrance or allergens that may affect sensitive skin. See the Ingredients section and patch-test. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Shea Moisture has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Browse skincare products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
This product is flagged for: Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about the presence of artificial additives in the formulation.; Parfum is a synthetic fragrance that may cause irritation for sensitive individuals, impacting the product's safety profile.; Potassium sorbate, while a common preservative, can be a concern for those avoiding synthetic ingredients.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
Our analysis flags parfum in this product. See the Ingredients section above. Search products with this ingredient.
The composition includes sodium benzoate as a preservative and parfum as a fragrance, indicating some synthetic additives that raise quality concerns. However, it also contains beneficial ingredients like shea butter and hydrolyzed rice protein. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Shea Moisture is a skincare product. Zerotox gives it a safety score of 60 / 100 based on ingredients. Check the breakdown above and our skincare topic for alternatives. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Shea Moisture scores 60 / 100. Daily use depends on your skin type and tolerance, so review the flagged ingredients and patch-test if you are sensitive. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.