Wild butter, or shea butter - what is the secret of its various cosmetic properties?

Shea butter comes from the nuts of the shea tree, which is native to Central Africa. The outer shells of the nuts are removed. Then they’re crushed and slowly roasted into butter. Finally, the butter is commonly kneaded by hand in a basin of water to separate the fatty acids. These fatty acids, or oils, are removed from the butter, cooled, and hardened to make what we know to be shea butter.

Shea butteris perfectly safe to use for most skin types, and it has been used in cosmetics for centuries due to vitamins and fatty acids that hydrate and calm the skin. 

IN ESSENCE...

• Used medicinally, Shea Butter prevents skin-irritating and acne-causing bacteria from lingering on the skin, relieves nasal congestion, and creates a barrier on skin that protects it from harsh environmental elements, while facilitating wound healing.

• Used in massages, Shea Butter supports skin elasticity and suppleness, boosts collagen production, and increases circulation while promoting skin cell regeneration. It can ease joint pain and rheumatism, alleviate pain, and reduce stretch marks.

• Used topically, Shea Butter is known to be a “skin superfood” that nourishes skin to promote its clarity and addresses problems such as dryness, blemishes, dark spots, discolorations, stretch marks, and wrinkles without clogging pores.

• Used in hair, Shea Butter moisturizes and nourishes from root to the tip, protects against dryness and brittleness, repairs damage, and conditions without leaving a sticky residue.

BENEFITS OF SHEA BUTTER

1. Shea butter moisturises skin and hair

If you have dry, dull skin, shea butter may become your new best friend. Shea butter works as a skin-conditioning agent, helps retain moisture by forming a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, which reduces the loss of water and keeps your skin hydrated.

2. Shea butter is good for sensitive skin

When you have skin irritation, natural ingredients that are proven effective are always best, making shea butter a very reliable choice.

3. Shea butter is soothing

Thanks to the fact that it contains both vitamins E and A, shea butter is also beneficial in treating irritated skin, sensitive or not, using it to soothe windburn, dry patches, sunburn, abrasions, and even diaper rashes on babies - also due to its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. You can also apply to scars to minimize their appearance. 

4. Shea butter eases inflammation

If you struggle with chronic skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, the fatty acids in shea butter will help ease inflammation. Shea butter slows the production of inflammatory cells that contribute to irritation and skin conditions. And because shea butter penetrates the skin quickly, you’ll feel relief sooner rather than later.

5. Shea butter makes you look younger

The vitamin A and E in shea butter can do more than soothe skin. They can also make you appear more youthful, and who doesn’t want that? Shea butter also helps promote cell regeneration, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it also has antioxidant properties that help neutralize free radical damage from sun exposure. It’s also said to help boost collage production, which gives the skin its plump look. 

SIDE EFFETS OF SHEA BUTTER

Although it is generally safe to use for most people, if you have a nut allergy, shea butter may not be the best idea. People with tree nut allergies may experience adverse reactions to shea butter because it comes from the nuts of the shea tree, on the other hand, there are no documented cases of topical shea butter allergies. So if you want to give it a whirl, apply a small amount to a tiny area of skin to see if there’s a reaction. And, if there is a reaction, discontinue use asap and visit your doctor or dermatologist. 

HOW TO USE SHEA BUTTER

1. Use it as a full-body moisturizer

Slathering yourself in shea butter as you would with a full-body moisturizer is one of its most common uses, especially during the winter months when skin tends to be its driest. Rub until it’s fully absorbed. For the face, it may be best to use at night as it can be tricky to apply makeup over it. Wherever you’re applying it though, remember a little goes a long way. 

2. Put it on the ends of your hair

If your hair is looking lackluster, you can use shea butter to bring it back to life, but there’s a caveat. If you have thin hair, avoid the roots, as it can cause an oily-looking buildup.

Instead, adding it to only the ends of your hair, which can help prevent split ends. Use it as you would a conditioner and rinse it out in the shower. Or, add a tiny bit as a leave-in conditioner.

3. Warm it up in your hands

Like coconut oil, shea butter can become solid. So, before applying it, rub it in your hands for a few seconds to warm it up and make it easier to spread. 

4. Opt for pure, unrefined shea butter

Many skincare products and cosmetics already include shea butter as an ingredient, but it tends to be highly processed, reducing its all-natural properties. So, to reap its full benefits, raw shea butter is the way to go. 

The quality of the shea butter also matters. They’re not all created equally.

You want to use a pure, unrefined shea butter that has a nutty aroma and beige colour.

If the product is ‘refined,’ that means that it’s been chemically altered, and the properties found in pure shea butter are diminished.

The main chemical constituents of Shea Butter are:Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Cinnamic Acid Esters, Allantoin,andPolyphenols (Tocopherol/Vitamin E).

OLEIC ACIDS (OMEGA 9) are known to:

• Maintain the softness, suppleness, and radiance of skin and hair

• Stimulate the growth of thicker, longer, and stronger hair

• Reduce the appearance of aging, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines

• Eliminate dandruff and thereby support hair growth

• Boost immunity

• Exhibit antioxidant properties

• Prevent joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain 

• Impact the hardness or softness of the butter

STEARIC ACID is known to:

• Have cleansing properties that purge dirt, sweat, and excess sebum from hair and skin

• Be an ideal emulsifying agent that binds water and oil

• Help products remain potent when stored for long periods of time

• Condition and protect hair from damage without diminishing luster or making it feel heavy

• Have exceptional cleansing properties

• Soften skin

• Provides the butter with a solid consistency

PALMITIC ACID is known to:

• Have emollient properties

• Soften hair without leaving a greasy or sticky residue

• Be the most common saturated fatty acid

LINOLEIC ACID (OMEGA 6/Vitamin F) is known to:

• Moisturize hair and promote its growth

• Facilitate wound healing

• Be an effective emulsifier in the formulation of soaps and quick-drying oils

• Exhibit anti-inflammatory properties

• Soothe acne and reduce chances of future outbreaks

• Promote moisture retention in skin and hair

• Make oils feel thinner in consistency when used in an oil blend, thus being beneficial for use on acne-prone skin

• Soothe and promote the healing of skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis

• Slow the look of premature aging

CINNAMIC ACID ESTERS are known to:

•  Have SPF properties that make it act as natural sunscreen

• Soothe inflammation, irritation, and redness

• Contribute antioxidant properties

• Promote cell regeneration, making skin look rejuvenated

ALLANTOIN is known to:

• Contribute protective and regenerative properties to skin that facilitate wound healing

• Effectively soften skin and soothe irritation

• Stimulate cell regeneration, thereby promoting the growth of healthy skin and tissue

• Be an effective moisturizing agent

• Be gentle and non-irritating, making it ideal for use on sensitive or irritated skin

• Increase the water content of cells, making it an ideal ingredient for anti-aging products

• Enhance skin’s texture, making it smoother

POLYPHENOLS are known to:

• Soften skin

• Exhibit antioxidant properties that slow the look of aging

• Protect against harmful UV radiation

• Boost skin cell regeneration and elasticity, thereby enhancing overall skin quality

• Promote greater circulation and oxygen to the skin

• Have antioxidant properties that slow the look of aging and boost circulation

• Repair scarred and blemished skin

• Prevent moisture loss from skin and hair

• Offer soothing relief to skin that has been burned

• Deeply cleanse pores and balance oil production

VITAMIN A is known to:

• Protect skin against damage caused by UV radiation

• Slow the appearance of aging by smoothing wrinkles and fine lines

• Stimulate production of collagen

• Stimulate cells regeneration to keep skin healthy, strong, and firm

• Facilitate faster healing of wounds

• Protect skin against toxins and bacteria and promotes cell production, thus boosting immunity

• Lighten unwanted blemishes and dark spots, thus balancing skin tone to create an even glow

• Slow the production of oil in the skin and clears pores, thereby preventing acne breakouts