The Benefits of Shea Butter: A Treasure from Africa

Shea nut has been used in several African countries for millennia. It is said that Queen Nefertiti owed her great beauty to the use of shea butter because the fatty complex extracted from the nuts contains extraordinary skin-repairing properties.

The shea tree can live for 300 years. Its fruits are ripe during the time of great tornados and fall in June. The kernel contains 50% fat which can be extracted by 3 processes, but mechanical extraction produces a natural butter that retains all its properties.

 

Shea nut, by its very essence, has helped many African peoples overcome their dry skin for millennia. 

 

What are the benefits of shea butter?

 

Winter, wind, bad weather, dry homes are all factors that demand sustained and deep hydration. Soon, your lips will crack from the cold, your hands will chap. Have you thought about using a good emollient every day?

 

Like all vegetable fats, shea butter has softening, anti-drying, and protective effects. We'll tell you more about its benefits!

 

The benefits of shea for hair

 

Shea butter, due to its composition, protects hair while providing flexibility and vitality.

 

Express recipe: the day before shampooing, coat your hair, massaging the ends with a large dollop of shea butter, melted in the palm of your hand before application. The butter should be perfectly liquid.

 

Wrap hair in a warm towel. Your keratin will absorb everything it needs.

10 minutes after shampooing, apply a small amount to very dry hair to give it shine and life.

 

The benefits of shea for the face

 

In African countries, mothers coat their babies with shea butter to prevent or heal irritated areas. They use it for their face, hands, and body, especially during summer months and windy seasons.

 

The face greatly benefits from daily use of shea butter. Pay particular attention to inactive areas (base of the nose, corners of the lips). Massage for about ten minutes, applying a small amount of butter melted in the palm of your hand before application. The butter should be perfectly liquid.

 

Shea butter acts on 3 aspects:

- Elasticity: the richness of shea in unsaponifiable elements and vitamin F will act. By touching your skin after the massage, you will feel the difference.

- Hydration: the superficial layers absolutely need complementary hydration. You will feel it on the appearance of your skin immediately after application.

- Protection: the butter should penetrate completely, and you should only see the satin finish. But the protection is real and will last for a very long time.

 

Lips absorb it more quickly, and in very cold weather, you should regularly coat them with shea butter, which makes a wonderful lip gloss. For noses irritated by spring allergies or winter colds: a small dab of butter in each nostril.

 

The protective properties of shea butter

 

In cold countries, shea butter helps counteract harmful effects such as chapped lips and reddened skin. Skiers and other outdoor sports enthusiasts can, therefore, protect their skin and keep it supple.

 

All parts of the body exposed to cold are attacked. The film left by shea will act as a barrier and will continue to nourish your skin for many hours. Remember that the best fight against aging is preventive.

 

Your skin suffers all summer long. Using shea as a complement to your sun protection product, before and after tanning, will amaze you. You will achieve an evenly tanned skin that will not peel. Do not apply it without sun protection, as you risk burning - it's like butter in a hot pan!

 

Your hair also suffers during the summer. Do not hesitate to coat your hair with shea butter before sea bathing. The application treatment should be sustained upon returning from vacation.

 

Anti-aging properties

 

The principle is simple - the older you get, the more your skin dehydrates, dries, and loses its elasticity. By regularly rehydrating your skin, you reduce the appearance or depth of wrinkles.

 

Shea nut contains phytosterols or fatty acids which are true cellular reconstructors that promote cell renewal and dermal softening. Shea butter is thus effective for regenerating dry skin, fighting wrinkles, and tired skin.

 

For masculine use

 

A weather-beaten face is no longer popular in current beauty standards. Use shea after daily shaving.

Once a week, apply a generous amount of butter from head to toe until fully absorbed, paying particular attention to joints (elbows, knees), toes, heels, and nails.

 

For muscular use

 

While shea butter offers moisturizing properties that bring suppleness to the skin, African men have realized that by massaging their legs and arms with shea butter, they restored flexibility to their muscles and helped them stay in better physical condition for long distances. Shea is particularly beneficial for athletes. Its centuries-old use in Africa for muscle care is recognized.

 

Use before playing a sport during your warm-up period. After: Faster recovery and improved drainage and elimination of toxins from strained muscles.

 

Other properties and uses of shea butter

 

To soothe

Used on skin with eczema, the most sensitive, fragile skin, and psoriasis, its action is immediate. It soothes, heals, calms, protects, normalizes, and polishes the skin. Its use should be daily. It does not cause allergic reactions.

 

For beautiful feet and legs

For corns, warts, and cracks, shea butter helps remove calluses without having to file. Apply in the evening before bed. It also helps soothe the skin after epilation.

 

Lip care in winter and summer

Shea butter soothes and heals chapped lips. It can also serve as a base under lipstick.

 

For newborn care

It protects and moisturizes the skin and buttocks of newborns. You can mix it with a vegetable oil for the baby's greatest pleasure during this moment of sharing and exchange!

 

In case of burns or insect bites

It soothes immediately after application and prevents blisters from forming.

 

As a facial treatment in summer and winter

Shea butter moisturizes the face and regenerates the superficial layers. It naturally fights wrinkles.

 

To protect skin during tanning

Shea butter is also a sun product.
During exposure, it protects against UV effects and prevents premature skin aging. After exposure, it relieves and rehydrates the skin.

 

For hand and nail care

Shea butter moisturizes and protects hands against aggressions: detergents, harsh products, cold…

 

For hair care

Shea butter can be applied to dry ends or to the entire hair from root to tip. It replaces gel and prevents dryness. It can also be used as a mask.

 

For orange peel skin and stretch marks

It naturally reduces orange peel skin with regular massage. You can mix it with a rich vegetable oil for easier application and more pleasure!

 

🥥 See our coco-shea whipped cream

 

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Source: Elle raconte.com and Clicmali.org