Why Shea Butter > Palm 🌱

If you’ve spent any time in the skincare aisle, you’ve seen palm oil lurking on a lot of labels. It’s cheap, it’s everywhere, and it’s one of those ingredients that just kind of shows up uninvited. But here at Lavish Earth, we decided to politely show palm the door because we’ve got a better guest of honour: shea butter.

Palm Oil: Common but Not King

Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world, mostly because it’s inexpensive. But common doesn’t always mean best. When it comes to skincare, palm does the basics like it firms up soap, adds some texture, but it doesn’t bring much else to the table. Plus, its production has been tied to deforestation and habitat loss, which feels pretty far from the cozy, earth-loving values we live by.

Shea Butter: The Upgrade

Now, let’s talk shea. This ingredient is rich, creamy, and absolutely packed with vitamins and fatty acids that nourish your skin. Vitamin A, E, and F keep things smooth and moisturized, while the natural anti-inflammatory properties help soothe dryness and irritation. In short, shea doesn’t just show up - it goes above and beyond.

When you lather up with shea-rich soap or smooth on shea lotion, you feel the difference immediately. Palm can’t deliver that same velvety softness. Shea is like a full Sunday dinner when palm is more like a bag of chips.

Community Impact Matters Too

Here’s something I love: shea butter is harvested in a way that uplifts local communities, especially women-led cooperatives in West Africa. Choosing shea means your skincare routine supports livelihoods, not just skin cells. It’s beauty that gives back.

Final Thoughts

Palm oil may be common, but shea is the champion. When we say Shea > Palm, we mean it in every way: for your skin, for communities, and for the earth.

👉 Experience the difference from our soaps and lip balms to our incredibly popular triple whipped butters — all proudly palm-free, and all powered by shea.