If you are not moisturizing your skin daily in this big 2025 and you’re moving about Nigeria with heavy environmental pollution and strange weather, then you’re very wrong, and that needs to change now.
Moisturizers are such an essential in skincare that help to reduce dryness, flakiness, and irritation while also maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Among natural emollients (a substance that softens and hydrates the skin), shea butter and cocoa butter stand out as two of the most popular choices.
What is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is obtained from the nuts of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), native to West Africa. It is traditionally harvested and processed by women, making it a vital economic resource for many communities. Shea butter is highly valued for its deep moisturising properties, thanks to its high concentration of fatty acids like oleic, stearic, and linoleic acids. These help to restore and repair the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and protect against environmental damage.
Shea butter is also rich in vitamins A and E, which promote skin healing and collagen production. It is widely used to soothe dry, irritated, or sensitive skin and is particularly effective in treating conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and stretch marks.
1. Palmer’s Shea Butter Formula with Vitamin E
Palmer’s is a household name in body care, and this shea butter-infused product is a rich body lotion formulated to soothe and nourish dry, sensitive skin. It also contains vitamin E, aloe vera, and marula oil for added hydration and protection. It has a non-greasy texture that makes it a great option for daily use, and it absorbs beautifully without a sticky residue. Price: ₦8,900. Where To Buy: Shop Supermart.
2. Nokware Skincare Shea Butter with Aloe Vera Gel
This Ghanaian brand merges the richness of shea butter with the soothing properties of aloe vera. This shea butter product will be excellent for anyone dealing with sunburns, eczema, or rosacea. The inclusion of citrus and peppermint essential oils gives it a citrusy-fresh scent. Price: ₦16,000. Where To Buy: Shop Nokware Skincare.
3. Haske Shea Body Butter
This luxurious body butter does it all: It moisturises, evens skin tone, and gives your skin an undeniable glow. Formulated with shea butter, avocado oil, and geranium essential oil, Haske Shea Body Butter deeply hydrates and boosts collagen production to firm, smooth, and increase the skin’s elasticity. It also has a soft floral aroma that makes it an absolute treat for the senses. Price: ₦19,000. Where To Buy: Shop Modara Naturals.
4. Vaseline Radiant X Deep Nourishment Cream
If you have extremely dry skin and want a lotion that will give you intense hydration without drying you out later in the day, this Vaseline Radiant X was created for you.
This body cream is formulated with shea butter, cocoa butter, and Vaseline’s microdroplets of petroleum jelly, which means moisture stays locked into your skin for hours. Price: ₦35,000. Where To Buy: Shop My Skin Plug.
5. 100% African Shea Butter
And if you want a 100% pure, unrefined shea butter in its raw form, you can get this product. It’s incredibly thick and deeply nourishing and moisturising for dry skin. Price: ₦5,000. Where To Buy: Shop Shea Butter Hub.
What is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is extracted from the beans of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), which is commonly found in tropical regions. While it is best known as a key ingredient in chocolate, cocoa butter is also a highly effective moisturiser. It contains a high concentration of saturated fats, which makes it an excellent barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Additionally, Cocoa butter is famous for improving skin elasticity and preventing stretch marks. This is why it is prevalent in pregnancy skincare and highly recommended for pregnant women. It is also packed with antioxidants, which helps to fight free radicals and slow down skin ageing.
1. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula
A cult classic, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is a go-to for those who swear by deeply hydrating, fast-absorbing formulas. Infused with pure cocoa butter and vitamin E, this lotion locks in moisture and helps improve skin elasticity. It is a favourite among those looking to fade scars, stretch marks, and rough textures. It has a rich yet non-greasy texture that melts into the skin while leaving behind a deliciously warm cocoa scent.
As a long-time Palmer’s Cocoa Butter user (check out my Palmer’s Cocoa Body Butter review, by the way), I love using this lotion during the summer months because it gives me enough hydration without being too heavy. It also applies really well, so I don’t spend time rubbing it in. Price: ₦12,500. Where To Buy: Shop Buy Better.
2. Nivea Cocoa Butter with Deep Nourishing Serum
Nivea’s take on cocoa butter-infused hydration provides a deeply nourishing experience without feeling overly heavy. It contains cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil, all locked in with Nivea’s signature Deep Nourishing Serum for 48-hour moisture. It has a thick, creamy texture that makes it easy to use and great for daily use.
Although if you’re prone to sweating easily, you might feel iffy about this lotion because it could make you sweaty if you’re in a hot environment. Also, it has a pleasant chocolatey scent. Price: ₦4,670. Where To Buy: Shop 24 Eleven.
3. Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Oil Gel
If body oils are more your vibe, you can use this gel-oil to achieve that glossy glow on your skin. Combining cocoa butter with replenishing oils, it applies smoothly on the skin and leaves a healthy sheen. It’s particularly great for layering over your regular moisturiser for an extra hydration boost. Price: ₦11,700. Where To Buy: Shop Perona Beauty.
Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter: Which is Better?
For Deep Moisturisation: Shea butter is the better choice for those with extremely dry or sensitive skin, as it penetrates deeply and provides healing benefits. Cocoa butter is more occlusive, which means it creates a strong barrier to lock in moisture but may not be as deeply penetrating.
For Stretch Marks and Scars: Cocoa butter is often recommended for preventing and treating stretch marks due to its skin-plumping properties. However, shea butter’s high vitamin A content makes it just as effective for fading scars over time.
For Sensitive Skin: Shea butter is generally better for those with eczema, psoriasis, or irritated skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Cocoa butter, while hydrating, may be too rich for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
For Everyday Use: If you prefer a lighter texture, cocoa butter-based lotions like Nivea Cocoa Butter or Vaseline Radiant X may be more suitable. However, if you need intense hydration, raw shea butter or shea-infused products will work better.
Finally, both shea butter and cocoa butter are excellent at providing hydration, but your choice depends on your skin’s needs. If you’re dealing with extreme dryness, irritation, or need a healing moisturiser, go for shea butter. But cocoa butter is the way to go if you want a long-lasting barrier to prevent moisture loss and improve elasticity. Whichever you choose, both are time-tested, natural ingredients to help you get beautifully soft and nourished skin.