About Shea Butter

SHEA BUTTER

Shea butter (/ˈʃiː/, /ˈʃiː.ə/, or /ˈʃeɪ/) is an off-white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). Shea butter is a triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion. Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in Africa. Occasionally, the chocolate industry uses shea butter mixed with other oils as a substitute for cocoa butter, although the taste is noticeably different.

The English word "shea" comes from s’í, the tree's name in the Bambara language of Mali. It is known by many local names, e.g., karité in the Wolof language of Senegal, ori in some parts of West Africa, and many others.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree and that is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It offers UV protection (it is SPF ~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. Shea butter has been used in Africa and other countries for years to improve skin and hair.
Shea Butter Benefits

·         Moisturizing: The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in Shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils.

·         Reduces Inflammation: A 2010 study found that due to its cinnamic acid and other natural properties, shea butter was anti-inflammatory. (source) One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne.

·         Skin Smoothing: Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying. With long term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction.

Shea Butter Uses
Shea butter is one of the most versatile natural beauty ingredients and I use it daily in some form. I’ve used it for years in everything from my homemade lotion bars and original magnesium body butter to homemade lip balms and healing salves.

Some of my favorite uses for Shea Butter:

1.    By itself for face and body as a natural moisturizer

2.    In a shea butter lotion bar stick for easy use

3.    Alone or in a pregnancy stretch mark salve to ward off stretch marks

4.    As the best under-eye wrinkle remover and bag-reducer

5.    For massage butter

6.    In velvety soft whipped body butter

7.    or basic homemade lotion

8.    As a base for homemade deodorant

9.    As an SPF 6 skin lotion

10. In magnesium body butter

11. As a natural baby-care product (alone) or ingredient in baby care recipes

12. By itself on the lips or in homemade lip balms

13. Or homemade shimmer lip balm

14. To improve skin elasticity (some even say it helps with cellulite)

15. On the hair or scalp (in mixture with other natural ingredients)

16. In homemade liquid creme foundation and makeup

17. After sun or beach exposure to replenish skin

18. On the eyelids before applying makeup to make it last longer

19. As a natural cuticle cream

20. On scars to naturally help collagen production

21. On sore/raw noses during a cold or flu