What is Shea butter?
Shea butter is a fat made from the nuts of the Shea plant. It’s solid at room temperature, and it is off-white. Shea butter is derived from Ghana and is a product of West Africa’s native Shea trees.
Shea butter has been used in cosmetics for hundreds of years and makes a wonderful addition to any soap recipe. Due to its high level of vitamins, fatty acids, and easy-to-spread consistency, it is also a perfect addition to our deodorant recipe. This makes it an excellent ingredient for moisturizing and soothing delicate skin.
Here are 9 reasons chooses Shea butter for every product
- Its safe to use on all skin types
Technically, Shea butter is a tree-nut product. However, unlike other tree-nut products, it has very few allergen-triggering proteins.
Shea butter is suitable for all skin types. Shea butter doesn’t clog pores, an important characteristic of soap and deodorant products.
- It moisturizes.
Because of its high content in fatty acids, such as oleic, palm tic, and linoleic oils, Shea butter soap base can provide amazing moisturizing results.
Apply Shea to your skin and these oils will be quickly absorbed. They can be used as a “refatting agent”, restoring lipids, and creating moisture quickly. This helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier against the environment. It keeps moisture in and reduces dry, chapped skin.
- Its anti-inflammatory
It has been shown that Shea butter plant esters have anti-inflammatory properties.
Shea butter causes inflammatory cells to produce less when it is applied to the skin. This could help to reduce irritation due to dry weather as well as inflammation of the skin such as eczema.
- it’s an antioxidant
Shea butter contains significant amounts of vitamins A, E, which can promote antioxidant activity.
Antioxidants are essential anti-aging agents as they protect skin cells and prevent damage from free radicals. This can cause premature aging, dull skin, and skin that aren’t as healthy.
- It is antifungal
The effectiveness of Shea tree products in fighting skin infections due to fungi has been proven.
- It could help you avoid acne
Shea Butter is unique in that it contains different types of fatty acid, which can help remove excess oil (sebum) from your skin.
Shea butter simultaneously replenishes the skin’s moisture and locks it into its epidermis. This ensures that skin does not feel dry or stripped of its natural oils. It is possible to reverse the effects of acne by restoring the skin’s natural oils balance.
- Collagen Production is boosted
Triterpenes found in Shea butter are naturally occurring compounds that can stop the destruction of collagen fibers. This can help reduce fine lines and promote a youthful appearance.
- It aids in cell regeneration
Shea antioxidant and moisturizing properties help to promote healthy skin cells. The body is constantly creating new skin cells, and shedding old skin cells. On the top, dead skin cells are found. The epidermis, which is the lowermost layer of the skin, contains new skin cells. Shea butter can balance the moisture on the skin’s surface, which allows for new cell growth in the epidermis.
- It can help with eczema, skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis.
Shea anti-inflammatory properties soothe itching and help reduce inflammation. This is especially useful for those suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and other skin inflammations.
- It may be used to soothe sunburns and other skin conditions.
Research Trusted source suggests oil may be beneficial for superficial skin damage (such as sunburn).
Shea anti-inflammatory components can reduce swelling and redness. Its fatty acids components can soothe the skin by retaining moisture in the healing process.
While this study found that the use of aloe Vera and Shea oil is common, more research is necessary to verify their efficacy.
- It might be able to reduce the discomfort of insect bites
Traditionally, Shea butter has been used for soothing bee bites.
According to some reports, Shea butter may be able to reduce swelling due to bites and stings.
This being said, there’s no evidence from clinical research supporting this.
You should consult a medical professional if severe pain, swelling, or itching from stings/bites occurs.