Shea butter glycerides (inci)

Shea butter glycerides refers to transesterified shea butter with "glycerides", various ester compounds of glycerol.

Transesterification is a chemical reaction in which one ester is converted into another. In transesterification, the alcohol residue of an ester is replaced by another alcohol residue.

Shea butter glycerides is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as an emollient (makes the skin smooth and supple) and as an emulsifier (a surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic products as an additive to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - into one emulsion).