Why Shea Butter?
Shea butter has been hailed as one of the most effective and nourishing ingredients in skin care products because of its multipurpose capabilities. Whether you suffer from dry skin, wind or sunburn, chapped lips, stretch marks or even scars, shea butter is known to deeply condition the skin for immediate hydration. This is one of the most important, top-notch skincare ingredients that I prefer to have in every product I use.
Having it in your body lotion and skin care products will alleviate dry skin with long-lasting natural moisturizers. Loaded with tons of nutrients and vitamins, it is also known to provide unique healing relief for common skin conditions such as eczema, insect bites, itching and skin allergies. Since it is derived naturally from the Shea Tree, it is wonderfully safe enough for even infants to use; in fact, in many countries like Ghana, mothers would use shea butter to protect their newborn children from the dangerous effects of the sun.
A key ingredient is high levels of Vitamin A which is important for improving conditions such as blemishes, wrinkles, eczema, dermatitis, and overall anti-aging skincare. Combined with Shea Butter’s Vitamin E and F content you have a powerful anti-aging, free-radical fighting, microcirculation enhancing powerhouse.
The Source
The Shea Tree or Vitellaria is native to central Africa and occurs naturally in at least 19 countries. It has been known for hundreds or possibly thousands of years as a food source and natural skin care. It starts bearing its first fruit when it is 10 to 15 years old; full production is attained when the tree is about 20 to 30 years old. Then it produces nuts for up to 200 years making it a very sustainable product.
Shea Butter Benefits
- Moisturizing: The natural concentration of natural vitamins such as A and E and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin, sunburn and to help protect the skin’s natural oils.
- Skin Smoothing: It aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying. With long-term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction.
- Reduces Inflammation: A study found that its cinnamic acid and other natural properties made shea butter an anti-inflammatory. One compound, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce inflammation in the skin. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne and other conditions.
Shea Butter Uses
There are so many uses. It can be used as a healthier replacement in place of products like petroleum jelly. It’s thick enough to moisturize skin, feet, hands and yet versatile enough to use on delicate skin such as the face. Shea Butter is perfect as a massage butter, salve to treat and prevent stretch marks, cuticle cream, and sun and after sun treatment. It’s a natural elasticity improving moisturizer and so much more.
Where To Look
Moisturizer Lotions that prominently feature Shea Butter such as Hemperor NatureShea. According to Hemperor, it goes several steps beyond every other herbal moisturizer by infusing Hemp Seed Oil with maximum levels of natural Shea Butter and exotic and healing oils such as Monoi, Sweet Almond, and Jojoba. Hemperor has several different lotions that are all Shea Butter based.
There are other brands on the market as well. Read the label carefully. Make sure it is the main feature and not just a small add-in ingredient. Hemperor makes it their key ingredient and you can feel the difference.
Raw Shea Butter to use directly or in homemade lotions and products, you can online or in some natural shops.
When it comes to choosing a quality Shea Butter, look for the following keywords:
- Raw
- Unrefined
- Unbleached
- Organic
- Grade A