Eucerin with shea butter: what to look for and how to use it

What should you look for in an Eucerin moisturizer?

Start with the complete ingredient list, especially if you have a known allergy or have reacted to skincare before. Eucerin has an ingredient database that can help you check particular ingredients. Treat a cream, lotion and ointment as different choices: the texture affects how much moisture the product holds in and how comfortable it feels to use.13

• For dry skin, start with a cream or ointment rather than a light lotion.
• For mild dryness or hairy areas, a lotion can be easier to use.
• For oily skin, a lighter gel is an option instead of a rich moisturizer.
• For combination skin, moisturize the dry areas rather than automatically covering the oily areas too.
• For sensitive or excessively dry skin, look for a fragrance free formula.

Consider the severity of your dryness, what your skin tolerates, price and availability.56

What does shea butter do for skin?

Shea butter is a fat from shea nuts that melts on contact with skin. Its fatty acids lubricate the skin and help form a barrier that keeps moisture from escaping. Regular use helps skin feel softer and smoother. Shea butter also contains substances that ease inflammation, and it can be useful for dry, reactive skin.2

A moisturizer can do more than supply an oily layer. Humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, attract and hold water in the skin. Occlusives, such as petroleum jelly and mineral oil, help prevent that water from escaping. These roles explain why a formulated moisturizer and plain shea butter are not interchangeable just because both soften skin.6

How does Eucerin compare with shea butter?

For substantial dryness, prioritize a cream or ointment with a texture you can tolerate. Plain shea butter is an option for dry skin, but it is not the best choice for acne prone skin because it can clog pores. Compare the whole formula and your intended use, because one appealing ingredient cannot do the shopping for you.25

How should you apply it?

These are general moisturizer steps. Follow the exact Eucerin label for any product specific directions.6

1. 1Wash with warm rather than hot water and use a gentle cleanser.
2. 2Rinse well and gently pat the skin dry, leaving it damp.
3. 3Apply moisturizer to dry areas ideally within three minutes of leaving the shower or bath.
4. 4Spread the moisturizer gently rather than rubbing the skin hard.
5. 5Reapply when the skin feels dry, following the label if the product contains active ingredients.

Slightly dry skin can need only a light moisturizer at night; more pronounced dryness can need application two to three times daily. Morning or evening use is possible, but applying after bathing makes the most of water already in the skin. Moisturizers have their greatest therapeutic effects during the first six hours after application, so one application is not necessarily enough for the whole day.4

If you use a prescription cream, follow your prescriber's instructions about order; the medication can need to go on before the moisturizer. Introduce only one new skincare product at a time so a reaction is easier to trace. Avoid exfoliating dry, peeling skin: moisturize it instead.36

Who should be careful?

Shea butter can aggravate breakouts, and yeast associated with dandruff can grow in it, making it a concern for people with dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Raw shea butter contains latex; people with latex allergies should avoid raw shea butter or use refined shea butter instead.2

Shea butter is not a substitute for sunscreen. Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher as part of daily sun protection, along with shade and protective clothing.23

Stop a moisturizer that causes an allergic skin reaction. Seek medical advice if dryness does not improve or becomes painful, cracked, bleeding or very irritating. Moisturizing can help eczema, but persistent symptoms can need prescription treatment rather than another change of moisturizer.34