I’ve been a fan of African shea butter every since my Afro-Puerto Rican hair braider in Texas introduced me to it during my young teen years. Then, I quickly learned that African shea butter was not only great for moisturizing my hair, but for my skin as well. Needless to say, my huge bottle of nostalgic Queen Helene Coco Butter Lotion was soon replaced by shea butter.
Originating from West Africa, shea butter has been used for centuries. Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the fruit that are gathered from the Shea tree. Shea butter is a miracle tropical superfood that comes with a plethora of benefits and uses. It’s a great anti-inflammatory agent and is popular for its many cosmetic and healing properties. You can find shea butter in many of your favorite cosmetics, medical ointments, soaps, high-end moisturizers, and hair products. In the traditional way of extracting Shea butter the shell of the shea fruit is cracked to release the nut. It is then washed and left to dry. After the nut has dried out it is then pounded into small pieces, roasted, and then boiled. The fats that has risen to the top from the boiling process are skimmed off in order for the oil to harden so that it can be used for shea butter. Once the process is complete, the shea butter becomes thick and solid at room temperature.
African shea butter is packed with vitamins A, E, & F. Vitamins A & E are great for sun damaged skin and prevents premature wrinkles. The Vitamin A is especially important for improving the overall condition of the skin, including reducing blemishes, wrinkles, eczema, and dermatitis. Vitamin F in shea butter soothes and prevents dry, rough, and flakey skin as well as softening damaged hair. Shea butter also has the ability to treat topical wounds, skin allergies, insect bites, sunburns, and can be used as after care for burn wounds. The natural hydrating properties in shea butter are closely structured to the body’s own sebaceous glands, allowing shea butter to easily penetrate the skin without clogging pores. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it a great use for an arthritis ointment as well as to use during massages. Because of its high moisturizing and skin penetrating properties, shea butter is excellent for preventing anti-aging of the skin and elasticity.
African Shea Butter Benefits:
- Excellent daily moisturizer for the face and body
- Dramatically reduces and prevents stretch marks
- Fades dark marks, scars, and blemishes
- Assists in the healing process of surface level wounds, cuts, and burns
- Excellent ointment for eczema and psoriasis
- Increases collagen production of the skin, which helps you to look younger
- Softens tough dry feet
- Soothes and treats diaper rashes
- Provides relief for a dry and itchy scalp
- Reduces razor irritation and bumps after shaving or waxing
- Restores luster to hair
- Softens hair
- Can be used as a makeup remover
- Can be used for a natural cuticle cream
- Used for after-sun-care from long sun exposure to skin, usually for sun burns
- Provides low-grade sun protection of an SPF of 6
- Protects skin from harsh winds
- Great for swimmers to protect skin and hair against the affects of being in the water for long periods of time.
Other beneficial properties of African Shea Butter:
Omega 9 in Shea Butter Benefits
- Maintains softness and luster of skin and hair
- Stimulate growth of thicker, longer, and stronger hair
- Eliminates dandruff to support hair growth
- Boost immunity
Stearic Acid in Shea Butter Benefits
- Has cleansing properties that extracts dirt, sweat, and excess sebum from hair and skin
- Ideal emulsifying agent that mixes well with water. Makes it great for sealing in moisture to the skin or hair
Palmitic Acid in Shea Butter Benefits:
- Softens hair without leaving a greasy or sticky residue
Cinnamic Acid Esters in Shea Butter Benefits:
- Responsible for having SPF which makes shea butter a natural sunscreen (should be used in combination of other sun blocks)
- Soothes redness of skin, inflammation, and irritation
- Promotes cell regeneration
Allantoin Benefits in Shea Butter:
- Has regenerative properties to assist in wound healing
- Promotes growth of healthy skin tissue
- Enhances skin texture making it smoother
Polyphenols Benefits in Shea Butter:
- Protects against harmful UV radiation
- Boosts the elasticity of the skin and hair
- Antioxidant properties to boost circulation
- Repairs scared and blemished skin
