Do you need shea for better skin?

Shea butter is an East and West African beauty staple and one of the most moisturising and protective butters in the world. Used by Africans to soothe, nourish and soften their skin, shea butter is an essential tool in your skincare arsenal. Here are 18 Reasons

What is shea?

Shea is the fat from the nut of the karite tree found in West and Eastern Africa. It is a highly moisturising and nutritionally superior butter and oil that is moisturising, softening and protective of the skin. Used traditionally to soothe sore muscles, reduce arthritic symptoms and manage skin problems shea butter is the beauty staple of West and Eastern Africa.

What is shea oil?

Shea oil is the first oil produced from the shea nut tree during the shea butter extraction process. Shea oil contains all the goodness of shea butter but in a liquid form. The oil is good for all skin types, softening and smoothing the skin without clogging the pores or causing irritation. The lack of steric acid (the hardening compound that makes it a butter) makes it lighter and easier to absorb making it superb for oily/acne-prone types.

Does shea butter work on wrinkles?

Yes. Shea is rich in fatty acids as well as potent occlusive properties which means it prevents moisture loss, whilst moisturising the skin and maintaining skin elasticity. This combination of these actions reduces the appearance of fine and wrinkles making you look more youthful. Shea is a natural source of Vitamin A which works to increase cell turnover, smoothing the surface of the skin. It also plumps the skin and prevents sagging making it ideal for mature skin.

Is shea butter good for acne?

If you have acne-prone skin, you may want to use the light yet equally moisturising shea oil which has less stearic acid and therefore less likely to clog your acne-prone pores. Rich in vitamin E which is a potent antioxidant found naturally in our sebum. Vitamin E helps prevent cellular damage and boosts moisture.

Is shea butter safe to use during pregnancy?

Yes! Traditionally we use shea butter to stop that belly itch that is so prevalent in pregnancy and to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It increases skin elasticity and reduces inflammation so it is great for most pregnancy skin issues.

Shea for sensitive and baby/newborn skin.

Permitting they do not have a sensitively, shea is one of the best oils and butters to use on newborn skin as it is so nutritionally potent and protective. The oil and butter moisturise and smooth the skin, and they have anti-inflammtory properties to help combat things like cradle cap, baby eczema and heat rash.

Pro Tip: Try and use organic and wild-crafted shea as they contain most of the sort-after nutritional value. Always remember to do a patch test on the back of your baby’s knees or behind their ears, or behind their neck to make sure you can use shea safely. If they react adversely, discontinue use immediately.

Which is better virgin shea or refined shea butter?

Unrefined shea butter is nutritionally superior to refined shea butter, refined shea butter has had all but a few of its benefits removed. I believe that the whole point of using a natural butter is to reap the benefits and removing things like scent or colour produces a subpar product that lacks most of its natural benefits. Some soap makers prefer refined fats because they make their bars last longer. We think that 2 years is long enough to use a soap bar and any longer is unnecessary.

Can Shea Butter be irritating?

Yes, anything can irritate anyone so shea is no different. Shea naturally contains latex compounds so if you have a latex sensitivity, seek medical advice and do a patch test before applying liberally. It doesn’t have the nut enzyme that causes nut allergies but again, seek medical advice before using and irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.

What is Shea Nilotica?

Shea nilotica is shea butter from Eastern Africa, specifically countries that run along the Nile River. Shea nilotica is softer due to a higher amount of oleic acid glyceride instead of stearic acid like its West African counterpart glyceride making it creamier and softer than its West African counterpart. Shea nilotica also has more essential fatty acids, vitamin A and vitamin E than West African shea butter.

Do you need shea for better skin?

In a word yes. Used traditionally in African beauty and food traditions, it is considered a safe product. It softens, soothes, moistures and protects the skin from moisture loss and environmental damage.

What are the benefits of shea butter in soap?

In soap, shea butter adds a moisturising and soothing quality to your skin. It also softens and conditions, reducing inflammation and irritation when used regularly. So gentle, our bars can be used to clean the body from head to two and is especially beneficial to those with acne-prone skin and eczema.

Is shea butter safe for those with nut allergies?

Yes. Shea lacks the protein found in other nuts that causes allergies BUT always err on the side of caution and first seek medical advice THEN do a patch test.

Can you use Shea every day?

Absolutely. Permitting you do not have a sensitivity to shea, use it freely, as and when required. use it on your face, body, hair, feet and hands to keep them soft and moisturised.

What are the side effects of shea butter?

If you don’t have an allergy, nothing but softer, smoother, more moisturised and protected skin. If you have acne-prone skin you may find the butter a little heavy and you may react with a breakout, The oil is lighter and much easier to absorb into all types of skin, however, it may be too light for dry/mature skin types.

Is shea butter good for eczema?

Shea can be good for Eczema as it moisturises the skin and locks in moisture, However, eczema is a medical condition and you must seek medical advice on its treatment. However, shea has potent anti-inflammatory properties and eczema is an inflammatory condition. When applied to the skin, shea triggers cytokines and other inflammatory cells to slow their production. This has been shown to reduce irritation caused by environmental factors.

Can I use shea butter to reduce hyperpigmentation?

Well, that depends on what’s causing it. If you have a medical condition, then probably not as you will need a prescription to alleviate the issue. If you have dry skin caused by environmental damage like a chemical burn caused by cosmetics or post-ance inflammation, then yes! Use a gentle physical or chemical exfoliant to remove any dead skin, then apply a generous amount of your preferred shea product. Apply sunscreen in the AM, be consistent and you will see improvements in your skin.

Who shouldn’t use shea butter?

People with acne-prone skin as it may clog their pores and people with seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff as the yeast can thrive on proteins found in shea.

Who should use shea?

People with skin that don’t have a sensitivity to shea. People with dry skin, oily skin, people with hyperpigmentation, people with eczema, people with combination skin, people with dry hair, people with mature skin, newborn people, pregnant mothers, lactating mothers, people with beards, people who shave, people who don’t shave, people.

And there you have it, my 35 reasons to love shea butter. If you love your skin and want to look and feel better you can shop our range of organic shea butter soaps here. To moisturise, you can use our indulgently rich and luxurious Shea Magnifique, pure shea beauty oil to seal in moisture and soften your skin and hair from head to toe.

Be good to yourself

Mazel