Shea butter is a seed fat that comes from the shea tree. The shea tree is found in East and West tropical Africa. The shea butter comes from two oily kernels within the shea tree seed. After the kernel is removed from the seed, it is ground into a powder and boiled in water. The butter then rises to the top of the water and becomes solid.
People apply shea butter to the skin for acne, burns, dandruff, dry skin, eczema, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, shea butter is used as a fat for cooking.
In manufacturing, shea butter is used in cosmetic products.
How does it work ?
Shea butter works like an emollient. It might help soften or smooth dry skin. Shea butter also contains substances that can reduce skin swelling. This might help treat conditions associated with skin swelling such as eczema.
Shea butter and its smells
Shea butter has a very smoky nutty smell like those roasted almonds or you can say rocks on fire. It is because of it’s origin, that plant from which it drives. People can quickly identify the smell of shea butter, at least me as I use it a lot. I can identify it quickly bro!
This can be done by adding the essential oils to the melted butter and stirring until they’re fully incorporated. Some good essential oils to use are lavender, rosemary, and peppermint.
Health Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory Skin Moisturizer
Shea butter for face and body moisturizing is by far one of this natural ingredient’s top uses. Too many skin care products contain unhealthy synthetic ingredients. In contrast, Butyrospermum parkii is a natural ingredient that acts as an amazing skin conditioning agent.
Plus, it’s anti-inflammatory too! A study published in the Journal of Oleo Science reports that shea nuts and shea fat (shea butter) help to reduce inflammation. In addition, both shea nuts and butter have anti-tumor promoting compounds called cinnamate esters (which are also found in cinnamon).
- Provides Anti-Aging Properties
Retaining the skin’s natural moisture content is a high priority if you want to reduce the visible signs of aging and Butyrospermum parkii is an excellent moisturizer.
Raw shea butter can encourage tissue cell regeneration and softening of the skin, which can help to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The American Journal of Life Sciences reported a clinical study involving 30 volunteers in which shea butter diminished various signs of aging. In another clinical study for dry, delicate or aging skin, 49 volunteers applied shea butter twice daily and discovered that it prevented photo aging. It’s no wonder that you can often find shea butter in many natural anti-aging facial products.
- Moisturizes Both Scalp and Hair
You can also use shea butter for hair and scalp conditions. When used topically, it helps to seal in moisture, conditioning the scalp, alleviating dandruff and providing overall protection from harsh climates — much like how coconut oil works for hair. Is shea butter or coconut oil better for your skin and hair? Both are excellent natural moisturizers and you can use either one on your skin, scalp or hair improve your health and appearance.
Gently warm the shea butter in your hand to soften it and rub it thoroughly throughout your hair and scalp. For best results, leave on for 20–30 minutes. Then, rinse, shampoo and condition as normal. In addition to the moisturizing shea butter benefits for hair and scalp, the butter can also provide volume when applied to just the roots when styling.
- Relieves Windburn, Sunburn and Winter Dry Skin
Raw shea butter is perfect to help eliminate that itchy winter skin. Its moisturizing qualities penetrate deep into the skin, offering more moisturizing benefits while preventing windburn. It’s perfect for cracked and dry heels, hands, rough elbows and knees.
Shea butter is a much healthier, nourishing choice because most sunscreens are filled with noxious chemicals that penetrate the skin and enter our bodies. While the SPF of this sunscreen is only about 6, it can provide some protection in a more natural way and is perfect underneath makeup. It’s really a shea butter moisturizer and sunscreen in one! Butyrospermum parkii is also great for applying if you do get a sunburn.
- May Reduce Stretch Marks
How do you get rid of stretch marks? While many believe that Retin-A and laser treatments are the only way to diminish stretch marks, raw shea butter may help with its natural vitamin A content.
Because of its amazing healing properties and hydrating qualities, shea butter may possibly reduce the appearance of stretch marks and other scarring. Some people also use it to naturally improve the appearance of cellulite by smoothing and softening the skin.
- Prevents Diaper Rash for Babies
Shea butter makes a great diaper rash ointment for your baby because of its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties that can help fight off yeast. Raw shea butter can help improve blood circulation promoting cell regeneration while providing improved collagen production.
Both cell regeneration and collagen production are important to healing diaper rashes quickly. Since most children are exposed to a large number of chemicals through the numerous products found on the shelf, this is the perfect DIY diaper rash solution to help avoid those chemicals and ensure comfort and rapid healing for your baby.
Uses
Wondering how to use shea butter on face, hair and maybe even in your next meal? You can actually use shea butter instead of dairy butter or olive oil in recipes. And it’s super easy to make your own skin care products right at home. Raw shea butter is gentle enough to use daily and is perfect for many uses from facial creams and body lotions to lip balms and even shaving cream.
These awesome shea butter recipes will give you plenty of ideas for how to use this natural ingredient. Check out this roundup of potential shea butter uses:
Body Butter Lotion
Shea Butter Cream for Stretch Marks
Lavender Mint Shea Butter Lip Balm
Bug Bite Skin Soother
Honey Herb Body Bar
Frankincense Myrrh Lotion
DIY Shea Butter Baby Lotion
Natural Shaving Cream
Lavender, Peppermint and Frankincense Shea Butter Moisturizer
DIY Non-Greasy Shea Butter Lotion Recipe
Whipped Shea Butter Recipe
Shea Body Butter Recipe
Whipped Lemon Salt Scrub
DIY Moisturizer for Oily Skin (a potential way to use shea butter for acne)
Lavender and Shea Butter Heel Balm
Homemade Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion
Homemade Eye Cream with Frankincense and Shea Butter
Shea Butter Body Scrub
Homemade Hand Cream Recipe
DIY Foot Balm
Post time: Jan-28-2023
