Kokum Butter vs Shea Butter: What's Better? Benefits & Uses Compared

In natural skincare, the shea butter vs. kokum butter battle is interesting. Both are plant butter-filled with skin-healing nutrients, but which is best for your needs?

Here on our blog, we'll explain the advantages, applications, and variations between kokum butter and shea butter so you can make the best decision for your skin type, hair aspirations, and homemade beauty recipes.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a yellowish, dense fat obtained from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows naturally in West Africa. It contains vitamins A and E and is dense in texture but moisturizing.

For centuries, Africans have used it for skin care, wound healing, and even as a culinary oil. Today, it's a common ingredient in moisturizers, lip balms, and hair treatments.

Kokum Butter, What is it?

Kokum butter is the extract of the Garcinia indica tree, which is found predominantly in India's Western Ghats. It is denser than shea butter and light in colour, nearly white, with a faint odour.

Unlike shea butter, kokum butter is not pore-clogging (non-comedogenic), making it ideal for oily or acne skin.

Shea Butter and Kokum Butter: Major Differences

Below are the most notable differences in this shea butter vs kokum butter comparison:

Feature	Shea Butter	Kokum Butter
Texture	Soft and creamy	Hard and brittle
Comedogenic Rating	Medium	Low
Aroma	Nutty aroma	Aromaless
Shelf Life	1–2 years	2–3 years
Absorption	Slower absorption	Rapid absorption
Suitable For	Skin Type Suitable For	Oily, acne, and normal skin

The kokum vs. shea butter issue is a matter of skin type and application.

Humectant Properties

• Shea butter is rich in content and excellent for deeply moisturizing. It's ideal for dry winter skin, cracked heels, or elbows.
• Kokum butter is less oily and extremely nourishing. It restores moisture without oiliness, hence its application in light moisturizers and face creams.

Choose Kokum Butter for Gentle, Fast-absorbing Moisturizing

Skin Benefits

• Shea Butter Benefits
• Moisturizes very dry, scaly skin nicely
• Decreases swelling and soothes eczema
• Stimulates collagen production
• Smoothes out scars and stretch marks

Kokum Butter Benefits:

• hydrates dry, cracked skin without clogging pores
• Packed with antioxidants to fight age
• It is beneficial in acne, as it is non-comedogenic
• Calms redness and inflamed skin

In this round of shea butter vs. kokum butter, shea butter is best for acne and sensitive skin, but it is best for mature or dry skin.

Hair Care Uses

Although both kokum and shea butter are beneficial for hair, they function differently.

Shea Butter for Hair

• It highly conditions curly or coarse hair
• Smooths frizz and split ends
• Calms dry, flaky scalp

Kokum Butter for Hair:

• Fine or oily hair light conditioner
• Helps reduce dandruff
• Isn't heavy on hair

If one were to compare shea butter vs. kokum butter for hair, shea wins for curly or thick hair, but kokum wins for the individual with thinner hair that needs light moisturizing.

Homemade Product Compatibility

Due to its hardness and longevity, kokum butter is generally incorporated into lip balms, creams, and lightweight facial creams. It is also appropriate for use in tropical climates where other butters are watery.

Shea butter, however, is present in most body butter, hair masks, and moisturizing creams.

In DIY skin care, the shea butter vs. kokum butter decision is about what product you create. Kokum butter is heat stable and would be best utilized in lighter products.

Sourcing and Sustainability

Shea butter is usually processed manually by African cooperative women, guaranteeing fair trade and local development. Kokum butter, a native Indian nut, is also environmentally friendly to produce. It is usually a by-product in food processing.

Of course, both of these are eco-friendly, so the shea butter vs. kokum butter debate is not as environmentally centered but rather a matter of personal preference.

The Last Word: Which One to Use?

With these butter vs. kokum butter questions, there is no clear Wicked Witch of the West. It comes down to what your skin or hair needs.

 Choose Shea Butter if:

• Your skin is usually dry, sensitive, or showing signs of aging
• You want intense, long-lasting hydration
• You love that rich and creamy feel in skincare products

Choose Kokum Butter if:

• You have oily or acne-prone skin
• You are all for lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturization
• Your climate is either hot or humid, and you want to avoid feeling greasy

The truth is, the butters have particular superpowers. Mixing them can offer combined benefits, such as deep nourishment of shea with a light and breathable application of kokum.

Rather than ask which is better, ask which is better for you. Whether formulating your homemade butter or putting together a medical skin regimen, knowing what each butter offers will help you choose the best for your skin.