Tag: all about shea butter

I’m sure you’ve heard or read about it before and have seen it listed on many beauty care products.  It’s been around for a very long time.

Shea Butter is made from the nut of the African Shea tree and contains a rich amount of unremoveable fatty acid which renders it far superior to cocoa butter and other natural butters, but African women already know this. They’ve been using shea butter for so many years to protect and rejuventate their hair and skin.

This fatty acid is crucial to rejuvenating and moisturizing the skin.  Shea butter provides all the essential vitamins (especially vitamin A) needed to make skin look and feel smoother, softer and healthier.  The therapeutic properties stimulates cellular activity while protecting skin from the elements (wind, cold, sun) and helps wounds heal faster.  It has been used to heal burns, sores, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff, and stretch marks.  Shea also contains cinnamic acid, a substance that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

The container here doesn’t look so pretty (certainly won’t be front & center on  my vanity) but buyer beware: some of the companies with fancier versions will alter it in order to have a better fragrance, texture, overall appearance.  The alterations may disturb and in some cases destroy the natural integrity of the product. It will however, look much nicer on your bathroom shelf.

Listed below are some of the conditions that Shea Butter will provide improvement for. As you use this multi-purpose butter, you are likely to discover additional uses. The amount of time required for optimum results may vary with each condition. Wrinkles, for example, require 4 to 6 weeks of daily use. Itching is relieved immediately.

Dry skin

Skin rash

Skin peeling, after tanning

Blemishes and Wrinkles

Itching skin

Sunburn

Shaving cream for a smooth silky shave

Small skin wounds

Skin cracks

Tough or rough skin (Feet, Elbow)

Cold weather

Frost bites

Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy

Insect bites

Healthy skin

Muscle fatigue aches and tension

For before and after strenuous exercise

Skin allergies such as poison ivy or poison oak

Eczema

Dermatitis

Skin damage from heat, hot grease while cooking, radiation treatment for certain medical problems…

What can I tell by looking at the label?  Ingredients on the label should be listed in the order from the ingredient that is the most to the least.  Therefore, you should look for Shea Butter products that list Shea Butter early on the list of ingredients.

TIP: warm it up first in your hands before spreading it on your skin. Some people even put some in the microwave but I wouldn’t do this as it could break down the vitamins, interfering with the benefits.

 On PINterest – some products I can’t live without:

 http://www.pinterest.com/intrigueimports/beauty-products-i-cant-live-without/