Shea butter is a popular ingredient in many natural skin care products since it is moisturizing and packed with vitamin A. From blemishes to wrinkles, it has so many benefits that your skin will love!
What Is Shea Butter?
Shea butter comes from nuts found on the Shea (Karite) tree which grows in Africa. The outer shell of the nut is removed and then the nut is crushed and slowly roasted into butter. The butter is kneaded in a basin of water so that the fatty acids are separated (the fatty acids are the good stuff that makes Shea butter so amazing)! As the oils float to the top of the pot and set aside to cool/harden.
Even though Shea butter may seem like a new trend, it is not a new discovery. The skincare and healing properties of this skin superfood have been used for thousands of years tracing back to ancient Egypt where it was used to protect the hair and skin from the sun as well as from the hot dry winds of the African desert.
Shea Butter Benefits
Moisturizing: Shea butter provides hydration to your skin, making it great moisturizer to give your skin a healthy glow. It is great for all seasons, from soothing sunburns in the summer to relieving dry, itchy winter skin.
Anti-Aging: In its raw form, Shea butter aids in tissue cell regeneration and has been shown to boost collagen production. People who use Shea butter long term have reported that it softens and strengthens their skin and also helps in reducing wrinkles.
Healing Properties: If you are looking to reduce stretch marks, cellulite or scarring, Shea butter has incredible healing properties that can help reduce the appearance of these three skin conditions.
Vitamins: Shea butter is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. The vitamin A found in Shea butter also gives it a natural UV protection of about 6 SPF. This combo of vitamins makes Shea butter nourishing for your skin.
Anti-inflammatory: The plant esters of Shea butter have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, shea triggers cytokines and other inflammatory cells to slow their production.
Where Do All of these Benefits Come From?
The benefits of Shea butter come from its chemical makeup. Shea butter contains:
- Linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic fatty acids, ingredients that balance oils on your skin
- Vitamins A, E, and F, antioxidant vitamins that promote circulation and healthy skin cell growth
- Triglycerides, the fatty part of the Shea nut that nourishes and conditions your skin
- Cetyl Esters, the waxy part of the Shea nut butter that conditions skin and locks in moisture
Age Defying Milky Cleanser with Shea Butter and Vitamins A & E
Anti-Aging Moisturizer
