“The Lion’s Den”: Body Butter, Lip and Hand Balm by Shea Yeah in the test

As a skincare junkie, I test new products almost every week. The brand “Shea Yeah”, which you probably know from the show “The Lion’s Den”, caught my attention mainly because of its clean ingredients. Before anything gets on my skin, I always take a close look at the INCI list on the back of the product: What ingredients have been used? What is the quality of the raw materials? And are the claims of the brand really fulfilled?

From green washing to clean washing

Unfortunately, advertising with naturalness and sustainability has now become a trend in the cosmetics industry. On many labels you can find striking what Not is contained – without silicones, mineral oils and PEGs. What interests me much more, however, is What is included. The ingredients often disappoint me. Although the named substance was dispensed with, other dubious sustainable and potentially skin-irritating ingredients were not: the well-known ones green washing comes now too Clean washing to.

The “Shea Yeah” brand from “The Lion’s Den” is certified anhydrous, vegan and natural cosmetics. I honestly have to admit that I’m not the biggest advocate of natural cosmetics in general. Although convince me the use of biological easily degradable and natural raw materials (e.g. no mineral oil). But the requirements of the natural cosmetics certification only comes alcohol (wine spirit) as a natural preservative potentially irritating and drying out the skin. Essential oils, which can also irritate the skin, are often used to mask this odor. So for me: Natural cosmetics – yes, I would love to. But with Alcohol and scent bombs I and my sensitive skin are unfortunately out. “Shea Yeah” found a solution that caught my attention.

“The Lion’s Den”: Does “Shea Yeah” live up to what they advertise?

As just mentioned, I see the use of alcohol (ethanol) as a preservative critical, as it damages the skin barrier. Preservatives are needed once a product water contains. And now it’s getting exciting: “Shea Yeah” is namely anhydrous. The logical consequence of this is that the products have a firm consistency.

The brand promises that its products “without preservative substances” are formulated. I cannot contradict that when looking at the ingredients. However, I have to add to the claim “without preservatives” that other ingredients contained, such as the added essential oils, are also antimicrobial, i.e. have a preservative effect (but not must be declared as preservatives.) Nevertheless, the products are compared to conventional cosmetics less preserved and thereby better tolerated and better for the environment. I like the concept of the brand very good and I have never seen such an implementation.

The advertised raw material shea butter is of very high quality and purity. The “Shea Yeah” brand also states on its website that it “wherever possible” cold-pressed oils and unrefined butters to use. This means that no valuable vitamins that strengthen our skin barrier are lost. Some raw materials simply cannot be found in this quality – you can’t blame the brand for that. What I particularly like is that they are on a sustainable supply chain eighth, to which also the on-site manufacturing conditions counting. These two factors set the brand apart from other drugstore products for me.

The “Beauty Set” by “Shea Yeah” in the test

I have this “beauty set” tested, which consists of the Hand Balm, the Body Butter and the Lip Balm. The shea butter that is included in all branded products is due to its high moisturizing effect a particularly nourishing ingredient. It also works occlusivewhich means it locks in moisture in the skin, which regenerates the skin barrier.

1. Lip balm

That lip balm with unrefined organic shea butter, lemon balm and marigold extract is intended to moisturize and regenerate the lips over the long term. What is immediately noticeable is that the balm is a unusual size has: instead of being round, the product is Oval. It contains 8g, which is significantly more than traditional lip balms (around 5g). the plastic packaging feels premium, as does the thread for unscrewing the product.

The consistency of the balm is something hardbut is affected by body heat during application smoother. It feels rich on the lips and provides them with lasting moisture. Once applied, the well-groomed, supple feeling lasts about an hour on me: I would have preferred a little longer. The scent is refreshingly citrusy and subtle, but could be left out for my taste. Overall, I enjoy using the “Shea Yeah” lip balm, but it could do with delivering more product and staying in longer.

2nd hand balm

That hand balm is my favorite of the three tested products. I was very critical at first because I don’t like an oily result on my hands at all. I think a hand cream has to moisturize, but also move in immediatelythat you could theoretically run your fingers through your hair afterwards. And against all my initial concerns, the hand balm totally convinced me. The scent of raspberry and mallow I agree incredibly enjoyable, although – as we have heard often enough by now – I am very critical of fragrances. For the hands I find that perfectly fine and in this case even desirable.

Take a small amount with your fingertip and spread it between your hands. Again, body heat melts the product, allowing it to spread beautifully. Here is (herbal) squalane contain: An ingredient that I absolutely love because it makes the Balm smooth power. A small amount is enough to intensively care for your hands. The balm is highly concentrated and the nourishing effect is very long-lasting, which is why this jar will last a long time. I just love everything about this product!

3.Body butter

the body butter I didn’t like it at all. When I then read on the back that you can put them on the moist skin should apply, that changed immediately. Before that there was an incredibly oily film on my skin that you don’t even want to put on your pajamas with. But that was entirely my fault! Since I apply the butter to damp skin, it spreads incredibly smoothly and provides intensive moisture. With my dry skin, this feeling lasts about a day before I feel the need to apply more cream. The skin still feels a bit oilier than with a normal body lotion, which is why I would probably only apply the body butter in the evenings in summer.

The body butter from “Shea Yeah” is also very economical. What bothers me, however, is the slightly more intense scent. As I said, I’m sensitive to that, but I would prefer it here if the essential oils around orange were simply left out.

Conclusion: Shea Yeah from “The Lion’s Den”

That Brand concept convinces me more than the products. I really approached the test with a very critical eye because I have not had good experiences with the skin-friendliness of natural cosmetic products (alcohol and fragrance). The products come from the anhydrous formulation without preservation from what could no longer appeal to me. However, I would recommend the products because of the potentially skin irritating essential oils nevertheless do not use on very sensitive skin (e.g. babies). I find the scent of the body butter too intense, with the other products it is very pleasant.

Anyone wondering what the Difference between regular shea butter and these products I can give the following answer: pure shea butter has to be warmed between the hands for a very long time before it can be applied evenly. It leaves a strong oil film that stays on the skin for hours. That skin feel and the user friendliness of these products is not comparable – in addition to shea butter, it contains far more nourishing oils and butters.

I find them Brand transparency Well. Their website details all the raw materials and materials that were used. For example, I asked myself if the plastic packaging was made from recycled material and found an answer right away (no, but they are working on it). On top of that, the individual products are on the website Ingredients also with German designation listed, which immediately creates trust. I’m curious to see how the brand will develop and whether they’ll also venture into facial care.

Did you miss an episode or want an overview? All further information about “The Lion’s Den” can be found here.

Sources used: The Lion’s Den, Vox, Shea Yeah

Bridget