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Byrdie / Lecia Landis
We’ve seen a lot of beauty brands in our day, but none that have offerings quite as extensive—or inclusive—as SheaMoisture. Whether it’s across their hair, body, or skincare categories, there’s a truly dizzying array of options with choices for every particular want and need. There are shampoos and stylers for any hair type or textures, plus scrubs, washes, and lotions galore for any complexion concern. There’s even a range of baby and kids products with formulas that even adults will love.
Inspired by Sofi Tucker, an entrepreneur who sold shea butter, African black soap, and other homemade beauty goodies in Sierra Leone in 1912, the brand still uses shea butter handcrafted by women in Africa. There’s an emphasis on sustainable, natural, and fair trade ingredients across the board, and they also invest proceeds from every purchase to help support women across the world.
While you really can’t go wrong, we rounded up the best SheaMoisture products, a handful of the brand’s cult classics, best-sellers, and our personal favorites.
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Face & Body Bar
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Lathers well
Doesn't strip skin
Works on face and body
Large size can be awkward to hold
Arguably the most iconic product in the entire line-up, this bar blends purifying African black soap with moisturizing shea butter. Lather it up and use it all over your face and/or body and let it do its thing, pulling out impurities, dirt, and other grime, but still leaving skin feeling super soft and never stripped.
Price at time of publish: $7
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, oats, aloe | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Cleanses, absorbs excess oil, clears blemishes | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Style & Smooth Edge Treatment Gel
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For those whose hair has taken a beating due to repeated coloring, chemical straightening, or heat styling, this sudser is a great choice. (Though it also works well on naturally kinky, curly, and wavy hair.) There’s of course raw shea butter in the mix for hydration purposes, combined with coconut oil, plus deep cleansing apple cider vinegar. Meanwhile, black castor oil and rice proteins help strengthen hair, so they’re less prone to breakage.
Price at time of publish: $15
What Our Editors Say
"Because I excessively used flat irons and hot tools during middle school, my curls became heat-damaged. In trying to nurse my curls back to health, I incorporated this shampoo into my weekly wash day routine. The shampoo's nutrient-rich blend of Jamaican black castor oil, shea butter, and peppermint oil is just what my curls needed. With consistent use, my hair started looking and feeling much healthier." —Olivia Hancock, Byrdie Associate Editor
SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave In Treatment
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Courtesy of Ulta
Lightweight
Improves elasticity
Adds shine
Mist could be finer
Coconut oil is one of the absolute best oils for hair, and this leave-in makes it easier than ever to reap those benefits. It’s combined with coconut milk for an extra potent dose of moisture, good for your hair vitamin E, and natural triglycerides that help condition your hair. Also noteworthy is the use of acacia senegal, a plant-based ingredient that locks in moisture and increases hair’s suppleness and elasticity, always a good thing. Mist it on damp hair from mid-lengths to ends, then blow-dry or air-dry as usual.
Price at time of publish: $13
Hair Type: All | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
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Courtesy of Shea Moisture
Lightweight
Fights frizz
Adds shine
Unhygienic container
This cult classic is a must-try for anyone with thick, curly hair. Shea and mango seed butter, plus a long list of natural oils (including coconut, avocado, and neem seed, just to name a few), help define and control curls without ever weighing them down. It also helps fight frizz, always a plus.
Price at time of publish: $12
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, mango seed butter | Free of: Silicones, alcohol, parabens, phthalates | Size: 12 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Split End Balm
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Courtesy of SheaMoisture
Blocks out humidity
Strengthens
Adds shine
Small amount
To be fair, no product is going to completely get rid of split ends—only a trim can do that. But this treatment can help hold you over until your next salon visit. Credit organic shea butter, manuka honey, and yogurt that essentially help seal together frayed tips, while also blocking out humidity to combat frizz. Honey also strengthens and boosts shine. While it works on all hair types, reviewers point out that you get the best results when the amount you use is tailored based on your hair texture.
Price at time of publish: $14
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, manuka honey, yogurt, mafura oil, baobab oil | Size: 2.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture Green Coconut & Activated Charcoal Bath & Shower Jelly
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Doesn't strip skin
Lathers well
Unhygienic container
We like this body wash both for the innovative texture and cool ingredient combo. True to the name, it’s nothing like the classic foams or creams you’ve sudsed up with before. The jelly formula is super hydrating and refreshing, though still like you’re getting a deep clean. Green coconut ups the hydration aspect, while detoxifying activated charcoal makes it feel almost like a scrub, without the scrubby part.
Active Ingredients: Coconut, charcoal, lemon balm, white tea | Benefits: Cleanses, detoxifies, hydrates | Size: 6.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask
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Doubles as a spot treatment
Jar lasts a long time
Smells good
Unhygienic container
If using African black soap daily is a little too much for your skin, try it via this skin-clearing mask, which can be used weekly. The namesake ingredient does its purifying duties, but there is also tamarind extract (a natural exfoliating astringent) and antibacterial tea tree oil in the mix, too. The point being, it’s great for helping to combat blemishes, no matter whether you apply it on your entire face or just on problem areas.
Price at time of publish: $16
Benefits: Clarifies, exfoliates, soothes, hydrates | Active Ingredients: Kaolin clay, bentonite clay, shea butter, oat, tamarind extract, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Body Wash
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Anyone looking for a simple yet effective body moisturizer will appreciate this formula. Shea butter is indeed the star of the show, bolstered with several other natural butters and oils. It’s the greatest, medium-rich texture, thick enough to use on even super dry spots like hands or elbows, yet not so heavy that it doesn’t absorb quickly.
Price at time of publish: $12
SheaMoisture Wig & Weave Tea Tree & Borage Seed Oil Flyaway & Wrap Mousse
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Lightweight
Versatile
Dries fast
Some may prefer a stronger hold
The latest addition to the brand’s hair care portfolio is this line, specially made for weaves, wigs, and more. The entire collection is a hit with team Byrdie, this styler in particular. Because it’s water-based and enriched with aloe vera, it’s extremely soft and featherweight, never stiff or crunchy. It also can be used on either wet or dry hair and can easily be used to create a variety of different styles.
Price at time of publish: $11
Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil, borage seed oil, aloe vera | Hair Type: All, including synthetic | Size: 7.5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Eczema & Psoriasis Therapy
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Dermatologist-tested
Quick results
Lathers well
Strong smell
Another African black soap option, this bar is slightly different from the OG, boasting the addition of a homeopathic remedy for eczema, plus natural ingredients that reduce both itching and irritation. Coupled with the fact that it’s dermatologist-tested, this is a standout formula for anyone battling mild eczema and/or psoriasis.
Price at time of publish: $6
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, palm oil, willow bark extract, oat, tea tree oil | Skin Type: Dry, eczema-prone, psoriasis-prone | Benefits: Cleanses, soothes, hydrating | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Velvet Skin Gel Cream
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Lightweight
Boosts radiance
Layers well under other products
Unhygienic container
Gel-based moisturizers are a top choice for anyone with oily skin and/or to use during the summer, thanks to their lighter texture and feel. This particular option touts purple rice water for hydration but also has the added benefit of ever-so-slightly exfoliating papaya extract, great for helping to smooth and reveal radiant skin in one fell swoop. Top tip: Stash it in the fridge to make it feel extra refreshing.
Price at time of publish: $8
Active Ingredients: Purple rice water, wild orchid, papaya extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Baby Lotion
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Pump bottle
Smells good
Lightweight
Strong smell
Yes, this is part of the baby line, but truly, anyone can use it; the gentle formula makes it an especially great option if you have easily stressed-out skin. 100% virgin coconut oil and fatty acid-rich murumuru butter hydrate and nourish, and the fresh and slightly sweet fragrance is derived from essential oils, so there’s no need to worry about it irritating skin.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Raw shea butter, virgin coconut oil, murumuru butter | Skin Type: Sensitive | Size: 13 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Why Trust Byrdie?
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there.