Shea butter is a well-known ingredient that is used in natural skincare and skincare enthusiasts who use shea butter as part of their skincare regime love it. Shea butter is very beneficial to all skin types and is not known to cause any allergic reactions making it ideal for everyone, even babies.
Using shea butter for the skin is not just a modern trend but a long time tradition. The benefits and use of this lovely ingredient for the skin has been documented back to famous queens of ancient Egypt like Cleopatra and Nefertiti.
One of the beauty secrets of the famous and beautiful queen Cleopatra was to always have clay jars of pure shea butter on hand. She was known to have clay pots full of shea butter brought into Egypt by caravans for her personal use. Queen Cleopatra would have shea butter massaged into her skin after her famous milk and honey baths, and she would also use shea butter in her hair to keep it beautiful, nourished, and protected from the elements.
So where does shea butter come from?
Shea butter comes from the heart of Africa, from the shea tree which is also known as the karité tree. Both the words “shea” in English and “karité” in French originated from different native names for this sacred tree.
The shea tree is a vital resource in the savannah lands in which it grows because it provides sustenance during times of food scarcity.
It is the women who harvest the trees and process the nuts to make the shea butter that we use today on our skin, thus it is called “women’s gold” because the shea butter that is made is a valuable source of income for the women who carry out this labor-intensive process.
So what makes shea butter so beneficial for your skin?
Well, shea butter is a fat that has a high percentage of oleic acid and stearic acid, and it also has vitamin E which is a very beneficial vitamin for skin health.
How does using shea butter benefit your skin?
Shea butter is very moisturizing.
Rich in oleic, stearic, and linoleic acid shea butter moisturizes and helps restore skin lipids keeping the skin moisturized and healthy.
Shea butter prevents water loss from the skin.
Easily absorbed into the skin, shea butter helps restore skin lipids and therefore fortifies the barrier that helps lock in moisture.
Shea butter is very nourishing for the skin.
Full of nutrients like vitamin E, shea butter helps nourish the skin and helps make it plumper.
Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties.
Due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties, shea butter helps soothe irritated or inflamed skin caused by environmental or internal elements. Skin affected by sunburn, dry weather, or even eczema and psoriasis can benefit from using shea butter.
Shea butter has age-protective properties.
The fatty acids and antioxidants in shea butter help protect the skin from free radicals and hence prevent premature aging. Regular use helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and promotes a radiant look.
Now you know exactly why shea butter is a powerhouse of an ingredient in skincare, and how incorporating it into your skincare is going to improve your skin.
Shea butter will help hydrate, soothe, and improve the overall health of your skin.
If you enjoy learning about natural ingredients you might like to read about avocado oil.
