Pentadesma Butyracea

Also known as: African Butter Tree / Lamy

INCI: Pentadesma Butyracea | Function: Emollient, Moisturizer | Type: Plant Material / Butter Source

What Is Pentadesma Butyracea?

Pentadesma Butyracea (listed as the raw botanical material rather than the extracted butter) refers to the unprocessed or minimally processed fruit/seed material from the African butter tree. It contains the same fatty acids and lipid compounds as the refined butter but in a less processed form. It is used in traditional African skincare preparations and some natural cosmetic products.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Natural moisturization — whole plant lipids hydrate skin
+ Traditional use — centuries of safe application in West Africa
+ Minimally processed — retains natural antioxidants and vitamins
+ Sustainable — supports local harvesting communities

Pros

+ Less processed than refined butter — retains more natural compounds
+ Traditional ingredient with cultural heritage value
+ Renewable plant resource
+ Fair trade potential

Cons

− Inconsistent quality — unrefined plant material varies by harvest
− May contain impurities without proper processing
− Shorter shelf life than refined butter
− Very niche — limited commercial use

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Body, Hair
Product Type	Leave-On
Source	Plant
Natural Level	Natural

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5
Comedogenic Rating	2-3/5
EWG Score	1/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Traditional body balm	5 - 50%
Natural hair pomade	3 - 15%
Artisanal soap	2 - 10%

References

CosIng (2025) — Pentadesma Butyracea. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
PubMed — Pentadesma butyracea traditional uses. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
EWG Skin Deep — Plant materials. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

← Back to Skinpedia