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From cosmetics to medicines, shea butter is an inseparable component of most of the products around us. For centuries, people all over the world is using shea butter, but have you ever wondered how this gift from nature came about?
What is shea butter?
Shea Butter is derived from Shea tree nuts, or Butyrospermum parkii, commonly grown in Africa. The African shea tree is also called the “tree of life”.
It gets its name from its ability to successfully treat various skin, hair, and health issues.
As it has many moisturizing and conditioning properties, it is also called “natural conditioner”.
Shea butter is made up of triglycerides or fatty acids rich in Vitamin E, A & F. Organic Shea Butter is white, soft, and smooth in texture. It has little to no odor.
Different Types of Shea Butter
Shea butter can be used either in an unrefined form or in a refined form.
Unrefined Shea butter is unprocessed and does not have any chemicals added to it.
Refined butter, on the other hand, has chemicals added to it.
Refined Shea butter is added to soap and moisturizers. Shea butter has a smoky scent and when applied to the skin, it dissipates quickly. When it is highly processed, it will have a very white appearance but it would loose some of its benefits.
Usage of Shea Butter
Shea butter is often used topically and is considered a superfood for the skin and hair .
For your skin
- It is a great anti-inflammatory agent and is commonly used in many skin care products to relieve dark spots, dryness, stretch marks, discoloration, wrinkles and blemishes.
- Shea butter acts on the skin and prevents dryness from damaging the tissues.
- It balances the oil levels in the skin and also removes the clogged skin pores. When applied to the skin, Shea Butter immediately melts at body temperature and gets absorbed by the damaged skin and Soothens it.
- The cinnamic acid present in shea butter acts as a sunscreen and protects the skin from the damaging effects of the sun. This natural sunscreen also fights skin conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis and rashes.
- One of the benefits of using shea butter is that you can use it to treat skin conditions without experiencing the side effects commonly associated with chemicals and skin care treatments.
- Shea butter isn’t just for healthy, damaged skin – it can also be used on sensitive skin.
It also soothes sunburnt skin and removes stretch marks and surgical scars.
For your hair
- Shea butter is a great promoter of hair health because it completely nourishes the hair.
It can reverse the damage caused by the environment. - Shea butter easily get absorbed by the scalp once applied. It leaves no sticky residue.
Since shea butter leaves the scalp non-greasy, it does not cause dandruff, irritation or itching which is common with some hair treatment methods and products.
For massage
- Shea butter is a popular choice in massage therapy because it is known to delay the signs of aging and is extremely beneficial for the skin.
- In addition, shea butter will make the skin more elastic and supple. This is due to the increased production of collagen through the use of shea butter.
- It will promote the regeneration of skin cells and increase blood circulation. It has anti-inflammatory properties and therefore relieves joint pain.
As sunscreen
- Did you know that shea butter is also used medicinally as an ointment to heal skin damaged by UV exposure?
- Shea butter creates a protective sheath on the skin that protects it from freezing cold and strong winds.
- Shea butter also works against bacteria present in the skin which are also responsible for the appearance of acne. It can fight these germs and also relieve sinusitis and congestion in the nasal cavity.
- The cinnamic acid found in shea butter can also relieve itching and rashes, scrapes, cuts, and allergies.
- Shea butter can eliminate common skin discomfort and restore skin damaged by inflamed rosacea and dermatitis.
Let us summarize these benefits here-
Cosmetic Benefits:
- Anti-Aging nature
- Skin hydration
- Conditioning
- Softening
- Anti-inflammatory nature
- Skin cell regeneration
- Increasing Collagen production
Medicinal Benefits:
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Skin regeneration
- Anti-microbial
- Skin stimulating
- Blood circulation promotion
- Skin cell restoration
DIY Hair Mask Recipe using Shea Butter
Shea butter is great for hair care because Shea butter promotes high moisture levels in the scalp and will also promote hair growth. Those with a dry scalp will find it immensely useful.
Shea butter has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties that will eliminate irritation, itchiness, and dandruff as well.
Hair Mask Recipe
- Heat about 1 tbsp of unrefined Shea butter in a microwave oven for about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Let the melted butter cool a little and then add some drops of lavender essential oil.
- This butter can now be applied to your scalp. Spread it along the length of the hair and leave it so for about half an hour.
- Rinse using a shampoo that is gentle and mild. You will find that this hair mask will render your hair rejuvenated and make them thicker.
The great thing about this mask is that it packs in lots of powerful nutrients that fight hair damage and split ends. The mask will render hair follicles stronger and prevent hair loss.
