In which areas does shea butter work particularly well?
Organic is and is becoming more and more of a trend. This starts with nutrition and is reflected in everything from skin and hair care to the manufacturers of cosmetic products. Naturalness is therefore very popular. One popular ingredient is shea butter. It is used in creams, hair care products and bath additives. Shea butter is a real all-rounder, because in addition to body care it can even be used as a medicine. Numerous ingredients in shea butter ensure a wide variety of effects on our bodies. In this article, we will take a closer look at shea butter and find out what effect it can have.
What is shea butter and where does it come from?
Many have heard of it, but only a few know what it is exactly. Shea butter originates in Africa. It is made there from the fruit kernels of the shea tree. These trees grow mainly south of the Sahara and can reach an age of up to 300 years. These trees only bear their first fruits after 20 years of life. A basic distinction is made between two different types:
- Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. paradoxa (grows exclusively in West Africa)
- Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. nilotica (grows exclusively in East Africa)
The fruits are harvested every year between April and June. Only the kernels of the fruit can then be processed into unrefined shea butter. To do this, the kernels are roasted. In the second step, they are crushed with water to form a brownish paste and boiled until the shea oil can be skimmed off. When the shea oil then cools, the well-known shea butter is created. In this state, i.e. unrefined, it is yellowish. The white color only becomes available when it is further processed.
The unprocessed shea butter has a shelf life of several years. It can be stored at room temperature without any problems. This is because it is a natural product that does not contain any chemical ingredients or preservatives. But the refrigerator can also be used as a storage location to extend its shelf life even further.
What effect does shea butter have?
The great effectiveness of shea butter is due to its many valuable ingredients. It is suitable for the care of all skin types, as it contains the highest proportion of unsaponifiable components at 11%. It also contains a whole range of vitamins and minerals. In detail, these are:
- allantoin
- beta-carotene
- High amounts of triterpene alcohols and triterpenes
- linolenic acid
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- palmitic acid
- stearic acid
- vitamin E
Thanks to these ingredients, shea butter has a variety of effects. Due to the vitamin E it contains, it is very nourishing for the skin. It is immediately absorbed into the skin after application and cannot be washed off. All of its ingredients are easily absorbed into the skin. It also acts as an insulator against environmental influences and can even play a part in cell regeneration. Shea butter is therefore also said to have an anti-aging effect, as it counteracts the formation of wrinkles and thus the aging process. In Africa itself, people have always used it for skin care.
The allantoin contained in the product has an anti-inflammatory effect and also supports wound healing. Shea butter is therefore also used for dry skin and skin prone to eczema. It can also provide relief for skin diseases such as psoriasis or neurodermatitis.
Shea butter also has natural sun protection. Although it is not a substitute for sun cream, it does offer a slight protection against UV light. Shea butter is already contained in many cosmetic products. However, this is refined shea butter. During further processing, however, the shea butter loses important ingredients such as beta-carotene.
How does shea butter affect human skin?
As already mentioned, shea butter is very suitable for skin care. It is ideal for treating very stressed and dry skin. It doesn't matter whether it is for neurodermatitis, sunburn, joint pain or for treating scars. Shea butter starts to melt at a temperature of 28 degrees, which makes it easy to spread on the skin. It is also absorbed very quickly, so you can apply it just before going to bed.
Shea butter is also very popular for combination skin. It is also often used for acne. It is anti-inflammatory and comedogenic, meaning it does not clog the pores of the skin. However, it should not be applied too thickly in this case. Otherwise, the skin will be unnecessarily weighed down. When it comes to skin aging and anti-aging, however, you should not expect miracles from shea butter. With regular use, small wrinkles can be reduced, but it cannot prevent the entire aging process.
How does shea butter react to scars and joints?
Anyone who suffers from rheumatism and therefore has painful joints can also use shea butter to help. The anti-inflammatory ingredients also have an effect on joint pain. Regular use is a prerequisite for this. While applying the cream, the joints also receive a small massage, which is also beneficial. In relation to hardened scar tissue, shea butter softens it again and thus makes it more flexible and pliable. Scar pain is relieved and at the same time it adjusts to the surrounding skin. Shea butter is also recommended during pregnancy to prevent tears in the tissue. In general, skin that is creamed with shea butter becomes more elastic, softer and stretch marks become less common.
Shea butter for hair and lips
During the cold season of the year, lips become dry and chapped. If you are struggling with this problem, you should try shea butter. This moisturizes the lips and supports wound healing. This makes the lips velvety soft and gives them the care they need. Their natural shine returns and a barrier is formed against wind and weather to prevent dry lips in the future. Cosmetic products that help against dry skin can often also be used on damaged hair. This also applies to shea butter. Straw-like hair and hair plagued by split ends can be repaired with the help of this natural product. It regains a slight shine and feels beautiful and soft again.
