SheaMoisture skincare

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

SheaMoisture is an American skincare brand founded in 1991 and owned by Unilever since 2017.

cosmeticsbusiness.com sheamoisture.com en.wikipedia.org

SheaMoisture is widely loved for its thoughtful serums and nourishing formulas. Its products suit dry, sensitive, and combination skin best. The standout products for particular concerns include the African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash & Scrub for acne-prone skin. The brand consistently delivers gentle, reliable care through every offering.

This page covers some of the most popular SheaMoisture products; for the whole SheaMoisture range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.

SheaMoisture serums and treatments

African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash & Scrub

Questions and answers

Is SheaMoisture worth it?

SheaMoisture is worth it because Lovi rates the brand-focused routines Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Every product on this page also lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What are SheaMoisture's best products?

SheaMoisture offers the African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash & Scrub, which Lovi rates High for oily and acne-prone skin. Lovi rates the SheaMoisture-focused routine Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.

Does SheaMoisture cause breakouts?

SheaMoisture is unlikely to cause breakouts, and Lovi rates the African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash & Scrub High for acne-prone skin. The SheaMoisture products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Is SheaMoisture fragrance-free?

Yes, every SheaMoisture product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. Lovi rates the SheaMoisture-focused routine Superior for sensitive skin.

What are the key ingredients in SheaMoisture products?

SheaMoisture uses ingredients like salicylic acid, which helps clear acne, and panthenol, which supports skin barrier recovery. Salicylic acid acts to prevent acne relapse, while panthenol improves skin moisturization.

BioMed Research International, 2020 The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

How do I build a SheaMoisture skincare routine?

To build a SheaMoisture skincare routine, you can use the brand's cleanser designed to gently clean and care for your skin. Lovi rates the SheaMoisture-focused routine Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.

What are good alternatives to SheaMoisture?

Good alternatives to SheaMoisture include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica. These brands also have dedicated pages on Lovi.

SheaMoisture vs CeraVe: which is better?

SheaMoisture and CeraVe both rate Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, and combination skin, so either brand helps keep skin balanced. Lovi rates the SheaMoisture-focused routine Superior for acne-prone skin as well.

Who owns SheaMoisture, and where is it from?

SheaMoisture is an American brand founded in 1991, owned by Unilever since 2017.

cosmeticsbusiness.com sheamoisture.com en.wikipedia.org

Is SheaMoisture cruelty-free?

PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list SheaMoisture as cruelty-free.

5 more questions

Research behind SheaMoisture's key ingredients

Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders
Panthenol · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Moisturizer Containing Licochalcone A, Decanediol, L-Carnitine, and Salicylic Acid for Prevention of Acne Relapse in Asian Population
Salicylic acid · BioMed Research International, 2020
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora
Panthenol · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study
Salicylic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

2 more studies

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
Panthenol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Evaluation of additive effects of hydrolyzed jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) esters and glycerol: a preliminary study
Jojoba esters · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008

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Behind these ratings

Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

Nadia Kapleva, MS

Co-founder, Medical Director

Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
Alexey Shagraev, PhD

Co-founder, CEO and CTO

PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

Medical Board

Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
Aishani Shah, MD

Medical Board

Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
Asya Zubkova, MS

Medical Board

Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
Hanna Kurets, MD

Medical Board, Medical Advisor

Dermatology MD
Elina Nazarenko, MD

Medical Board

Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
Victoria Derkova, MS

Medical Board

Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist