Shea Butter; Reasons to Love it!
Updated: Apr 28
Is your skin feeling dry and parched? Is it calling out for moisture but regular creams are just not doing the trick?Â
What if I told you there is a natural butter that is gonna solve all your dry skin problems! Shea Butter is one of the most nourishing and moisturizing natural products on the market.
My dry winter skin has been drinking in its moisturizing properties all season as I have been slathering on this buttery oil after every shower. As a result my skin has never felt so good. Cracked heels and lips are a thing of the past!! I would love to share some of the benefits of Shea butter that I’ve come across.
What is the origin of Shea Butter?
It may seem that Shea Butter is all the rage these days. However, the rich history of Shea butter spans centuries.
Did you know…During Cleopatra’s reign in Egypt she kept the oil stored in large clay jars. She used this amazing butter in a multitude of ways every day. This tradition carries on into modern day Africa.
Also known as Women’s Gold, this rich butter is an ingrained part of African society. For instance, slathering Shea Butter on a baby directly after birth is a west African tradition. This protects the newborn’s delicate skin from the harsh sun. Similarly upon marriage, the bride brings Shea butter with her. This is to show that she can provide for her new household. Anointing a body with Shea butter before a burial ensures safe passage to the next world. All these rituals use rich, creamy and healing Shea butter.
Empowering Women
Creating the butter you see and use is a lot of work!
The Shea tree plays a pivotal role in the lives of many women across Africa. It is also known as ‘women’s gold’ for honoring the important part it plays in a woman’s life. Women collect Shea nuts and women cook the nuts. Women also produce the butter and sell it at market. In a world for women where access rights and control over resources is complex – and rare – the customary practices around this tree are extraordinary!
Today, this amazing butter is the featured ingredient in beauty products on seemingly every shelf. However it takes a lot of effort and labour to get it there! Processing the Shea butter and selling it to international markets has allowed Women from Ghana and Nigeria to become financially independent. They use their income to support their families and send their children to school.
Benefits of Shea Butter
So what are the benefits of this gorgeous butter? How about anti-ageing, deeply nourishing? I also love that it does not leave your skin feeling oily
When the Nigerian woman at the farmer’s market pressed the Shea butter into my hands, it was with instructions to use it for my skin and my hair. The golden-hued salve became a lifeline for my hair and skin. It replaced every cream and lotion I’d ever purchased, and soon, vats of Shea butter in every shade from ivory to goldenrod filled the cabinets in my bathroom. Little did I know, my obsession provided entry into a long-standing tradition. Sue
Anti-Ageing
Yes, you read that correctly!!! Shea butter is anti-ageing and deeply moisturizing. It may not be the fountain of youth but it can certainly help you along! This natural butter is chock full of vitamins like A and E that help keep skin young, radiant and supple.
The high fat content in Shea deeply nourishes and moisturizes the driest of skins. It is effective against dry skin because it penetrates and absorbs into the skin without clogging your pores. Shea butter also contains triterpenes. These naturally occurring chemical compounds are thought to deactivate collagen fiber destruction. YAY!
Dry Skin Conditions
The benefits of Shea butter extend to more than just ageing. It is a deeply healing balm for extreme dry skin and conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory and emollient properties of Shea butter are superb. These can benefit your skin and face by soothing red, itchy and irritated skin. Likewise, due to its anti-bacterial compounds, it is also good to prevent acne.
Hair: Your Crowning Glory
Shea Butter, when mixed with other seed oils, creates a deeply nourishing shampoo and conditioner. The reason for blending with other seed oils is that Shea butter on its own is quite thick and can cause a residue build-up. Shea Butter contains cetyl esters which conditions and locks in moisture.
Shea butter is also very moisturizing for the hair and scalp. People with curly and coarse hair textures benefit from using shea butter as a sealant to keep moisture in their hair and increase softness.
Shea Butter for Hair
Main benefits: Moisturizes, softens, and protects hair Who should use it: Those with thick, coarse, dry, and/or damaged hair How often can you use it: Weekly Works well with: Other hair oils
Excellent for any kind of burns
Who would have thought…Shea butter is an excellent remedy for sunburn and any other burns to the skin. Shea’s anti-inflammatory components may reduce redness and swelling. Its fatty acid components may also soothe the skin by retaining moisture during the healing process. Much research has been done on this topic but further studies will be needed to fully confirm this from a medical standpoint.
Shea butter is an amazing product. I have been using it on my hands, neck and face for the past few months. I can certainly see a difference in my skin’s quality and elasticity. If you are interested in trying out this amazing natural butter, pop into my shop and buy a jar!