The Magical Powers of Shea Butter

For centuries, shea butter has been used as a very effective cosmetic component in various routines. Today, shea butter is a primary ingredient in several skincare and haircare products, especially body lotions and creams for its unbeatable moisturizing properties. Extracted from the nuts of shea trees in West Africa, the butter is off-white, yellow, or ivory in color and is rich in vitamins and fatty acids. Unlike what many would think at the look of it, the consistency of shea butter is easy to spread and melts at body temperature. There are many ways you can benefit from shea butter, thanks to its amazing conditioning, moisturizing, and soothing properties. Here is why you need to make it a beauty and skincare staple.

 

1. Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer for skin and hair. It is ideal for dry and dull skin as it helps retain and lock the moisture by forming a protective barrier on the surface of the skin.  Shea butter also helps your hair from breakage, locks in moisture, protects against heat, and significantly tames frizz and flyaways.

 

2. Shea butter has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. If you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, shea butter will help soothe your skin and reduce inflammation and irritation. The quick absorption into the skin will give a feeling of relief quicker than you think.

 

3. The anti-aging properties of shea butter reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin A and E found in shea butter nourish the skin and keep it supple, plump, and radiant. The anti-aging properties and antioxidants found in shea butter prevent premature skin aging and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

  

4. It won’t make the skin oily. Unlike coconut oil, shea butter will not clog your pores or make your skin oily. The linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids are easily absorbed into the skin and won’t leave any oily residues.

 

5. It heals scars and reduces the appearance of stretch marks. Shea butter is usually found in scar-healing products because the fatty acids content in it softens the scar tissue and helps speed up the healing process. Additionally, shea butter is also the base of ointments and creams used to treat stretch marks because it restores the skin’s elasticity and improves collagen production.