Shea Butter

What is shea butter?

Shea butter is actually a fat that is obtained from the nuts of the shea tree which is a native West African tree. Shea butter and organic shea butter have been used cosmetically for many tears. Its smooth consistency combined with the high content of vitamins and fatty acids makes it ideal for smoothing and conditioning the skin. While technically belonging to the nut family, shea nuts contain very little of the allergy causing proteins that many nuts do.

Raw shea butter contains a combination of fatty acids, vitamins A, E and F, triglycerides that nourish the skin and cetyl esters that help to lock in moisture. The actual concentrations of each component may vary according to where the shea nuts are grown. Shea butter is sometimes combined with natural oils like lavender or tea tree.

Benefits of using natural shea butter

Most of the benefits of shea butter are cosmetic in nature but there are a few surprising side benefits as well. Here are the key benefits:

Acts as a moisturiser while not making your skin feel oily
Shea butter and shea butter cream have been found to have inflammatory properties
Contains high levels of vitamins A and E which are said to stimulate antioxidant activity
Has been shown to have antibacterial properties
Antifungal
The fatty acids in the”butter” help to clear the skin of sebum (excess oil) while restoring moisture to the skin
Boosts collagen production and promotes cell regeneration
May help to reduce stress marks, wrinkles and scarring
Helps to protect the skin from the sun
Makes hair stronger and helps to treat dandruff