Among the most used products for body care and cosmetics, there is shea butter. Being a natural product it really has many beneficial properties for the skin. Furthermore, it can also be used for many other purposes.
There has been a positive trend in the use of natural cosmetics in recent years. Indeed, many natural products have invaluable benefits and more and more companies are adding or creating such cosmetic products.
Shea butter: what it is and where it comes from
This butter, also called “African gold”, has an initial grainy but compact texture of wax which, in contact with the body and through massages, becomes an oil.
It is not sticky and is very pleasant, made up of vegetable fat extracted directly from Karité nuts, the fruit of a tree (Vitellaria Pardoxa) that grows in the savannahs of West Africa and can live up to 300 years.
In fact, karité really means “butter tree”. Then, after extracting the fat, it is pressed and brought to a boil.
The butter obtained has a yellowish color and a strong nutty smell. In cosmetics, the product is refined and takes on a white hue. But this process does not make it lose its properties and benefits.
Therefore, it is a totally natural and pure product with a very high content of vitamins A, D, E and F.
In fact, many aesthetic lines are incorporating it into various products, such as:
- shampoo.
- Balm.
- Creme.
- Lip stick.
Furthermore, it is easy to maintain. In fact, it should be stored at room temperature and in a dry and dry place.
What is shea butter used for?
This natural cosmetic treatment is increasingly used and can be beneficial and curative for different parts of the body.
Furthermore, it is a natural product, rich in:
- fatty acids.
- Vitamine A, D, E, ed F.
- Latex (ALLERGIC, beware of latex).
- Unsaponifiable lipids.
In fact, it represents a must have for both skin and hair care.
More benefits of shea butter
Its benefits are truly innumerable. In fact, shea butter can be used on various parts of the body and gives very interesting results.
Remember that, to be sure that it is a natural product without additives or preservatives, it must bear the words “Vitellaria Pardoxa” or “Butyrospermum parkii” on the label.
Hydration
It is extremely moisturizing for the whole body, and, for this reason, over the years it has become one of the essential ingredients in cosmetics. Indeed, it improves the elasticity of the skin by repairing and regenerating it thanks to vitamin F.
Furthermore, it is also curative for dry and chapped lips to which it gives softness and natural shine with an intense and lasting moisturizing power.
So, before leaving the house, you can apply it to the skin to protect it from external agents or in the evening, before going to sleep, to soothe, nourish and repair.
Find out how to make lip balm at home.
Hair benefits
It nourishes the hair, hydrates it and manages, thanks to its protective and regenerating effect, to improve the health of the damaged scalp. Furthermore, it makes the hair soft and shiny, as well as protecting it from UVA and UVB rays, thus becoming a real protective mask.
Perfect anti-aging
It is said to be one of the most effective anti aging products in nature as it enhances the regenerative capabilities of our skin.
Seeing is believing! It is said that its tree is also called the “tree of youth” precisely because of its anti-aging properties. It is also very often used together with coconut oil.
Find out what coconut oil is and its benefits.
Anti-inflammatory properties
It has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve pain due to arthritis or rheumatism.
Healing properties
It protects the skin from the sun and cold, thanks to the presence of cinnamic acid.
Given its repairing, regenerating and healing capacity, it is recommended to soothe:
- blushes.
- Burns.
- Wounds.
- Stretch marks.
- Scars.
In fact, it is present in many anti-stretch mark creams. It is also ideal for treating irritations after shaving or waxing.
Although it has no negative effects, use on severely chapped skin should be done after consulting with a professional to determine the cause of the redness or dryness.
This, to avoid skin allergies and problems in case of pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Let’s remember again that it contains latex, so it’s not suitable for everyone.
Which shea butter to choose? Here are our favourites
This product can be used for different areas of the body or for the hair, which is why we have chosen 5 products (refined and not) from different brands on which to guide your purchasing choice.
1 – PraNaturals Shea Butter
100% natural and Moisturizing is a 100% pure and organic product. In fact, it contains only unrefined shea butter, is free from additives and has high levels of unsaturated fats and natural antioxidants. It is certified by the Vegan Society, ethically sourced and completely organic.
In addition to having vitamins A, E, and F, it is rich in natural vitamins and unsaturated fats and antioxidants. This butter hydrates and nourishes your skin and can be used as a base for:
- lip stick.
- Hair masks.
- Balms.
- Facial moisturizers or lotions.
- Against burns and insect bites.
PraNaturals is a natural brand that uses the best ingredients nature has to offer to create perfect skin care products, without adding additives, parabens or chemicals.
Why choose it?
Customers who have purchased it have underlined that its strengths are:
- it’s natural.
- Nourishes skin and hair.
- Very hydrating
- Improves skin elasticity
- Vegan.
Warning, this product is PURE, so to be used it must be heated in your hands or in a bain-marie.
2 – Bottega Verde, Shea from Africa
Super nourishing body product that contains only butter and shea oil, ideal for dry or very dry skin.
Even Bottega Verde, one of the most famous cosmetics brands in America, focuses on “African gold” as the main ingredient for many of its products. And it is the case of Shea Butter from Africa, creamy and super moisturizing, which gives long-lasting nourishment and a more velvety and elastic skin.
For this reason it is excellent to use daily for the body but also for the hair. Perfect after a bath or shower, it has a scent with slight hints of coconut and vanilla.
Why choose it?
Customers who have purchased it have underlined that its strengths are:
- delicate scent.
- Non young.
- Super hydrating.
- It dries quickly.
3 – Organic raw shea butter: 200 ml Satin Naturel
Natural and vegan product perfect to use as a body moisturizer, hand cream, lip balm.
This product is 100% raw and pure and therefore has a beige color and a characteristic smell, which confirm that it is completely natural and with a single ingredient, shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii) from organic crops in Burkina Faso.
In raw shea butter, the valuable vitamins and omega fatty acids present in the plant are perfectly preserved. This vegan body cream offers the skin a level of hydration impossible to achieve with normal treatments.
In addition, it has a violet glass packaging that ensures maximum protection from light and prolongs the effectiveness compared to traditional packaging.
Indeed, it must not be in contact with light or oxygen in the air as the vitamins could lose their effectiveness.
Why choose it?
Customers who have purchased it have underlined that its strengths are:
- grainy consistency typical of the raw product.
- Super nourishing.
- Natural and vegan product.
- Elegant jar that keeps the product longer.
Remember that this butter is raw and therefore has a stronger smell than refined products.
4 – NaturaForte Shea Butter
Pure and natural, cold pressed and unrefined, this product is 100% shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii butter), moisturizing and refreshing, it is natural, fragrance free and without artificial additives.
It moisturizes the skin and forms a natural protective barrier. It has an intensive moisturizing and refreshing effect and also has particularly gentle skin care properties.
Why choose it?
Customers who have purchased it have underlined that its strengths are:
- perfect for hair care.
- it absorbs easily.
- Natural product.
- Strong but pleasant smell.
5 – AROMATIKA shea butter
It is an unrefined, natural and 100% pure product and does not contain synthetic components, preservatives or coloring pigments.
The use of natural shea butter is the guarantee of healthy skin, face, hair and body.
These cold pressed African butters are rich in vitamins A, E and C, minerals, micro and macro elements essential for daily body care.
This product can be used as:
- pure agent.
- Massages with other oils.
- Essential oil.
- Enrichment of cosmetics (cream, mask, shampoo).
It is ideal for dry, sensitive and irritated skin. It also slows down aging, improves facial skin color, and makes skin velvety and smooth.
To use it as a liquid oil, simply heat the jar in a bain-marie at 40-50°C for a few minutes until the butter becomes liquid.
Why choose it?
Customers who have purchased it have underlined that its strengths are:
- 100% natural.
- Very hydrating.
- Strong smell.
- Great for dry skin.
