9 Reasons to Add Shea Butter to Your Skincare Routine
Shea butter is a miracle ingredient, and if its uses were tallied up they’d number in the thousands.
After using it for a while now, we have to say we agree. If stuck on a deserted island with only one body care product, shea butter would be it.
While there hasn’t been a lot of research to back up many of the claims, there is no shortage of folk wisdom and testimonies singing its praises. And really, in a world of cosmetics laden with synthetic ingredients and odd extras like little plastic balls, the availability of a botanical body care ingredient pure enough to eat is a beautiful thing. Especially when it happens to be so effective.
Such is the case with shea butter; edible indeed, it also is wonderful as a body care product. It is extracted from the nuts of African karite trees (Vitellaria paradoxa), a species that grows from Guinea and Senegal to Uganda and South Sudan. Shea butter has long been used for health and cooking in Africa and is also an ingredient in a number of confections, especially chocolate; but its latest role is as the new darling of the beauty and body care world.
Rich in vitamins E and A, among others, it has unique properties that make it a standout in the nut oil family. The presence of fatty acids and plant sterols, like oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids add to shea butter’s notably high nonsaponifiable fraction; it doesn’t convert to soap when introduced to an alkali — which means that it has greater healing potential for the skin. Shea butter has many other awesome attributes as well, which makes it a wonderful ally to do the following with:
1. Indulge Dry Skin
According to the American Shea Butter Institute, the moisturizers in shea butter are the same ones that are produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands, making it one of the best matches for dry skin.
2. Make Your Hair Happy
Shea butter is used in many a haircare product and with good reason. It is said to have a number of benefits, including sealing in moisture, defining curl, conditioning the scalp, alleviating dandruff and decreasing the dreaded frizz. Also, applied to just the roots when styling can add a bit of volume to fine hair.
3. Fight Wrinkles
The American Shea Butter Institute claims that the application of high-quality shea butter will diminish the appearance of wrinkles after four to six weeks of use. Other research suggests that the application of shea butter to the skin results in a brighter complexion and visibly reduced wrinkles.
4. Enhance Your Kisser
Shea butter is said to protect and soothe the lips. Apply several times a day; smooch frequently to test its efficacy.
5. Calm Inflamed Skin
Shea butter has several anti-inflammatory agents, including derivatives of cinnamic acid. In a study on shea butter and its anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects published in the Journal of Oleo Science, researchers concluded that “shea nuts and shea fat (shea butter) constitute a significant source of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promoting compounds.” So go on, soothe away.
6. Fade Stretch Marks
While authorities like the Mayo Clinic and Baby Center note that the only way to really diminish stretch marks is with Retin-A or laser treatments, there are many testimonies across the Web of people who swear by the power of shea butter for helping in this endeavor. Its abundance of vitamins and healing agents doesn’t make this seem like much a stretch, so to speak.
7. Ease Eczema and Acne
Both eczema and acne require delicate treatments as not to exacerbate the problems; and in both cases, a pure and natural product is favorable to one with synthetic ingredients and fragrances. According to reviews, shea butter's efficacy for eczema and acne is mixed. Some say that it doesn't work at all, but more seem to agree that shea butter does indeed help. For eczema, users like to soak in a tub then apply shea butter while still damp to lock in the moisture; for acne, suggestions include applying a thin film after cleaning the face and then rinsing it off after a few hours. We can't guarantee these uses, but with shea's unique properties, it sure seems worth a try. (And if you have experience with either of these treatments, leave a comment and let us know how you fared.)
8. Repair Cracked Heels and Troublesome Cuticles
Many who suffer from painful cracked heels and dry cuticles claim that shea butter solves the problem. For heels that are particularly bad, apply shea butter before bed and slip into cotton socks for the night.
9. Give Skin an Antioxidant Boost
Shea butter is high in vitamins A and E, as well as catechins and other significant plant antioxidants, which may protect skin from damage. There is evidence that suggests that cinnamic acid esters in shea fat also help to prevent damage from ultraviolet radiation.
Looking to add shea butter to your beauty routine? Shop our entire line of Divine Naturals body butters.