You have probably already seen “shea butter” somewhere in your lifetime. Whether you are wondering about the reasons why shea butter is incorporated in so many skin and hair beauty products, or you are simply looking for an all-natural alternative to enhance your beauty regimen, this article is for you!
Shea butter is the fat extracted out of the shea tree’s nuts. At room temperature, it has the consistency of butter, just as its name suggests.
It originally comes from West Africa, where it has been one of the hallmarks of skin and hair beauty for centuries. Men, women, as well as kids have been using it for years, and its traditional uses have been transmitted from generations to generations. Now, shea butter is almost widely known due to all its beneficial properties.
Here, we will dive into some of its components and the associated benefits which makes shea butter great. Then, we will finish off with some tips on how to use this wonder that nature offers us.
Looking at its chemical composition, we can start to have a glance about its richness. Just to name a few, shea butter is composed of vitamin A, E, F, and essential fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids).
Depending on the region where the shea butter originates, the proportions in terms of the acids may vary, but its effectiveness remains unquestionable.
Let’s dive into why you should try incorporating it in your daily routine for the health of your skin and hair!
First of all, shea butter is easily absorbed by the skin/ hair. In fact, its fatty acids can mimic the natural oils that our glands produce, so you should not worry about it clogging your pores.
It is also suitable to all skin type since it does not contain the agents which are responsible for allergic reactions commonly seen. Nonetheless, it’s always better to conduct a patch test when you plan to try something new.
In addition, based on its biochemical composition rich in antioxidants such as vitamin A and E and other compounds such as, catechins and cinnamic acid esters, shea butter can provide a protection against UV rays and free radicals. As a plus, the fatty acids mostly present in shea butter are not easily oxidizable. Therefore, shea butter can protect the skin against premature aging.
The plant esters present in Shea butter, such as lupeol cinnamate, allows it to have anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help calm irritations on the skin and scalp.
As part of your daily regimen, you can start off by applying raw/ unrefined shea butter directly to your skin as the last step of your daily shower routine.
Here is a tip: Make sure you apply the shea butter right after the shower (don’t wait too long for your skin to be completely dry). This way, shea butter acts as a sealing agent, preventing the loss of moisture/ hydration.
Overtime, with the regular use of shea butter, you would expect to observe its moisturizing, soothing, and smoothing properties.
Shea butter can also be incorporated into the treatment of your hair either as part of a hot oil treatment, hair mask, or simply as a sealing agent.
For the best results, only use unrefined organic shea butter. Don’t hesitate to give it a try and start your journey toward healthy hair and skin!
Buy our raw shea butter from Delices de Carmel available at… It comes freshly from the Ivory Coast, and it has been packaged with care just for you!