Shea Butter - The miraculous ingredient for soft hair & skin

December 8, 2020

Have you ever wonder why Shea butter is used in so many beauty products? It’s because this miraculous ingredient has so many benefits to solve skin and hair problems.
Shea butter has been used in beauty products, but also in traditional medicine and even cooking for thousands of years. It is believed that Cleopatra used in her beauty regimen.
The high content in fatty acids and vitamins makes Shea butter the perfect moisturiser for dry skin and hair. But let us tell you more about Shea butter and why it should be part of your beauty routine.

About Shea Butter

Shea butter is obtained after long and laborious process. Shea nuts are harvested from the Shea tree, often referred as ‘tree of life due its healing properties.

Shea tree, ‘tree of life’

Shea trees also called ‘karite tree’ are native to West Africa, growing in the dry savannah from West to East Africa. They are found over 21 African countries, like Senegal, Ghana, Congo, Sudan and Ethiopia.

From Shea nuts to Shea butter

Shea butter is extracted from Shea nuts through a long process. First, Shea nuts are collected, washed and dried. Then, the nuts are pounded into a paste. After that, the paste is mixed with water. Only the top part is collected to be melted and then filtered and cooled down.
Finally, once cooled, you get the Shea butter that we know: light yellow to white colour with a distinctive nutty smell.

Shea Butter components

Shea butter is rich in fatty acids mainly in oleic, stearic, linoleic, palmitic, and arachidic acids which have amazing moisturising properties.
Depending where the Shea nuts come from, the proportion of fatty acids may vary affecting the consistency, making Shea butter either softer or harder.
Shea butter also contains antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, E and F, that stimulate skin cells renewal.

Let’s find out more on Shea butter’s benefits for hair and skin

Benefits on hair

Soothes itchy scalp and treats dandruff

As Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties, applying it onto itchy or dry scalp may help reduce the irritation.
It is also beneficial for both dry and oily scalps: thanks to its moisturising properties, dry scalp will be nourished, for oily scalp, excessive oil production will be reduced.
If you have dandruff, massaging your scalp with Shea butter may help you to get rid of it.

Seals moisture

Due to its high content in fatty acids and vitamins A and E, Shea butter is considered as an emollient, meaning that it has great moisturising and healing properties.
Applying Shea butter helps to retain moisture, reduces dryness but also prevents split ends at the same time.
Thanks to the fatty acids, hair becomes stronger, shinier and has less frizz.

Softer hair

If you want softer and more manageable hair, then look no further as Shea butter may help you to achieve all that.
Shea butter coats your strands to retain moisture so it does not dry out or becoming brittle.

Benefits on Skin

Excellent moisturiser for a soft skin

Shea butter melts onto the skin and get absorbed very quickly. It leaves a non-greasy layer behind to seals moisture providing more elasticity to your skin. Your skin is left moisturised for many hours.

Anti-inflammatory to soothe skin conditions

It may be difficult to find the right products if you have a skin condition. It has been proven that Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties, mainly because of its content in Vitamin E. Using products Shea butter-based products may help to relieve from skin conditions symptoms like itching, redness or swelling. It may be used if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis.

Anti-aging

As mentioned earlier, Shea butter contains antioxidant vitamins A and E that stimulate skin cell regeneration. Antioxidants are known to play a part to prevent aging by protecting the skin from free radicals causing cause premature aging.
Additionally, Shea butter‘s fatty acids stimulate collagen production for your skin smoother and younger looking skin.

Reduces the appearance of stretch marks and scarring

Shea butter’s fatty acids are very similar to skin fat. Applying Shea butter onto the skin and specific areas where you are more likely to have stretch marks during pregnancy, like stomach, thighs or breasts, may prevent it but also scarring.

Lip balm

Shea butter may be used as a lip balm to replace petroleum lip balm. Because it doesn’t melt at room temperature, you may apply directly on your lips. The vitamins A and E will keep your lips moisturised for a healthy look.

Where to Find it?

Beauté Insolente

Mon Precieux Leave-in Conditioner

This leave-in conditioner smoothes the cuticles and detangles your hair. Keeps hair shiny, soft and promotes growth. Recommended for brittle and damaged hair.

Biolissime

Body Care set

Start by exfoliating your body with the Exfoliating and unifying soap which contain Shea butter to nourish the skin and soothe any inflammation. Follow with the Unifying body lotion for a soft and glowing skin.

Bourn Beautiful Naturals

Cocoa Sugar Body Polish

This body polish is loaded with skin-loving emollients like Shea butter, cocoa butter, and brown sugar to help exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving behind smooth, soft and supple skin.

Coconut Cream

Packed with pure coconut milk, rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6, this deep conditioner will nourish hair with the proteins from its rich fatty acid profile. Shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, maracuja oil and silk protein leave hair super soft and luxurious.

Hair Too Balm

This nutrient rich blend of coconut, Shea butter, hempseed and avocado oils and butters is whipped, which makes it lightens its texture, making it easier to apply. This water-free blend will melt into hair strands to seal in the moisture, and give coils a brilliant shine. Try it on the body as well.