Shea butter: multiple properties for skin and hair

Highly appreciated for thousands of years on the African continent, Shea butter is a natural treatment for the skin that provides multiple benefits thanks to its nourishing, regenerating and protective properties of the skin. At present, Shea butter is experiencing great success, as it is a product widely used in cosmetics around the world.

Shea, a fruit of African origin

Shea butter is a very fatty substance that is extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree, whose botanical name is Vitellaria Paradoxa . Small in size and oval in shape, these dark brown walnut or almond-like fruits keep a solid or semi-solid-looking whitish substance inside. After handling and treatment, shea butter is obtained, widely used in the western regions of Africa, the place of origin of this fruit.

Most popular uses

Although its uses in cosmetics are known in Europe and worldwide, in West African countries it is also widely used for nutritional purposes, being in some cases the first dietary fat, which contains vitamins and essential fatty acids such as oleic acid or linoleic. In addition, it has also been used for thousands of years for cosmetic purposes or in traditional African medicine.

Shea butter for skin care

Currently, Shea butter or Butyrospermum Parkii is a widely used and widespread ingredient in the world of cosmetics and skin care, due to its great regenerating, nourishing and repairing properties. For this reason, there is a large number of cosmetic products in the beauty market that incorporate Shea butter in their formulation.

Shea butter properties

Due to its high content of vitamins, minerals and its greasy consistency in its natural state, Shea butter is a product with excellent benefits for skin care, as it has great regenerating and protective properties for the skin and hair.

Among its active principles are vitamins A, D, EYF, as well as minerals and fatty acids that provide great hydration and nourish the epidermis naturally. Although it is used like any other cream or oil for the body, its texture can be somewhat surprising for a first-time user, since its appearance is similar to that of a yellowish or whitish wax, which in contact with the skin melts due to heat, which allows it to be easily extended.

Most common uses of Shea for skin care

Thanks to the aforementioned properties, Shea butter allows a large number of uses in the field of skin and hair care , offering a great power of regeneration and nutrition. In addition, if a continuous application is made, shea butter creates a protective barrier that prevents long-term external aggressions, providing resistance and flexibility.

As a moisturizer and nutrient throughout the body

For the most dry areas of any part of the body, shea butter is an excellent product that nourishes and hydrates in a totally natural way, being an excellent substitute for body creams or lotions that can sometimes contain a large number of chemicals of artificial origin. In addition, as it is a very oily substance, it creates a protective layer on the skin that protects from the cold effectively, making it ideal for winter.

Due to its restorative properties , it is one of the best natural and effective solutions to repair the irritated area of ​​the lips and nose during colds, flu or allergies. Its repairing power is fast and long-lasting, while protecting the skin from the constant friction of the handkerchief.

One of its most widespread uses is during pregnancy and lactation , since thanks to its regenerative properties it repairs scars and stretch marks on the skin due to pregnancy, a period of great changes in the female body. During breastfeeding, it prevents the annoying and painful cracks that usually form in the breast when feeding the baby. In addition, it is an excellent option to take care of the baby’s skin , since it is a totally natural product to repair the baby’s skin, which sometimes suffers from the annoying diaper rash.

But it is not only effective for skin care , shea butter also offers great benefits for the beauty of the hair . Thanks to its vitamins and minerals, it is an excellent treatment to hydrate and naturally repair the driest and most damaged hair. Although there are a large number of shampoos and masks that contain it, it is also possible to use it as a natural mask before washing your hair, a treatment that offers surprising results.