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9 Reasons Shea Butter Makes Skin Better
Shea Butter – Origins and History
West African Shea Butter
Shea butter is a fat extracted from the Karite tree in Eastern and Western Africa and is found across many regions. West Shea can be found in 17 countries and is locally known by many names including Inkoto (Ghana) and Ori (Sierra Leone and Nigeria), but its Latin name is Vitellaria paradoxa.
East African Shea Butter – Shea Nilotica
The East African variety is rarer and can only be found in Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, the Congo Democratic Republic, and Kenya, and is scientifically known as Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. nilotica, also known as Shea Nilotica (Uganda) & and Muyao Butter (Kenya).
You can read more about Shea Nilotica here.
Shea Nut Oil
Shea nut oil is the first oil extracted from roasting then boiling the shea nut when making shea butter. A medium absorption rate oil, shea nut oil is rich with vitamins and fatty acids as well as anti-inflammatory, and moisturising benefits. A great alternative for oily and acne prone types that cannot tolerate the richness of shea butter.
Traditional Usage
Beauty: Shea butter is used in beauty across the areas it grows. Used to moisturise daily after bathing it has a reputation of healing, softening, and smoothing the skin and is baby care friendly.
Drum care: Used as a wax/moisturiser in the care of the natural skins used on the djembe drum (the African drum) to protect it from cracking.
Traditional medicine: Shea butter is also used in traditional medicine to treat a range of conditions from skincare to arthritis and joint pain.
9 Beauty Benefits of African Shea Butter
No matter your skin type, African Shea Butter will pack a nutritional punch that will soften, smooth, and restore your skin back to its full glowing glory.
1. A super moisturiser
Shea butter is a rich and creamy natural emollient that softens and soothes the skin, rich in stearic acid it locks in moisture on the dermis to keep skin hydrated, soft, and smooth.
2. Great for sensitive skin
Kind and gentle, it is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Shea butter is one of nature’s most conditioning moisturisers that will soothe and soften your skin without irritation. Ideal for babies, and pregnant and lactating women.
3. Provides natural SPF protection
A natural sun blocker, shea butter has an SPF of about four and combines well with higher SPF factor products for added protection.
4. Encourages and promotes a youthful appearance
Shea is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants as well as potent emollient properties which means it prevents moisture loss, maintaining skin elasticity. The combination of these properties reduces the appearance of fine and wrinkles resulting in a smoother youthful appearance.
5. Accelerates skin healing
Shea is a natural source of Vitamin A and E which increase cell turnover, smoothing the skin’s surface. A great butter for repairing the skin after an acne breakout, it can also be immensely helpful in fading strech marks and other scaring on the skin.
6. Mother and Baby care
Traditionally, we (West Africans) use Shea butter all throughout our pregnancies to reduce stretchmarks and itching associated with a growing bump. Once the baby/babies arrive, shea butter is liberally applied to keep skin soft, smooth and protected from dryness and other environmental stressors.
7. Gentle enough for sensitive skin
The oil and butter moisturise and smooth the skin, and they have anti-inflammatory properties to help combat things like cradle cap, baby eczema and heat rash. High in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, shea is ideal for all sensitive skin types.
Pro Tip: Oily skin may prefer the oil balancing properties of shea nut oil over the richness of shea butter which is better suited to dryer skin types.
8. Anti-inflammatory powerhouse – Eczema and Psoriasis care
Shea can be good for Eczema as it moisturises the skin, locking in moisture and promoting skin healing. Shea butter contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the production of cytokines and other inflammatory proteins when applied directly to the skin, making it a great option for all skin types.
7. Gentle enough for sensitive skin
The oil and butter moisturise and smooth the skin, and they have anti-inflammatory properties to help combat things like cradle cap, baby eczema and heat rash. High in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, shea is ideal for all sensitive skin types.
Pro Tip: Oily skin may prefer the oil balancing properties of shea nut oil over the richness of shea butter which is better suited to dryer skin types.
8. Anti-inflammatory powerhouse – Eczema and Psoriasis care
Shea can be good for Eczema as it moisturises the skin, locking in moisture and promoting skin healing. Shea butter contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the production of cytokines and other inflammatory proteins when applied directly to the skin, making it a great option for all skin types.
9. Shea for Reducing Hyperpigmentation
Shea butter reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation by hydrating the skin and reducing inflammation. Rich in restorative vitamin A it also stimulates collagen to repair and renew the skin.
Love shea? Shop our shea range here.
Until next time, be good to yourself.
Mazel
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