Shea Butter Benefits For Skin And Hair

Hello girls! Today we are going to talk about a very interesting topic: Shea Butter! Surely many of you have heard something about this product or have even used it. But, do you know the benefits of this butter for our skin and hair? It’s such a useful and inexpensive ingredient that we couldn’t stop mentioning it here at Body carre .

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is extracted from the seeds of an African tree of the same name. The characteristics of shea butter occur mainly for the 4 fatty acids in its composition: stearic and oleic acid (85-90% of its composition), linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (such composition may vary according to the species and the geographical area of ​​source ).

All this makes shea butter very rich and nourishing for skin and hair, but very oily. Therefore, people who have a lot of problems with excess fat, maybe they should avoid it.

To take advantage of all its properties, shea butter must be pure and natural .

Composition of Shea Butter

• Contains triglyceride fatty acids with a high content of oleic (omega-9) , stearic and linoleic (omega-6) acids
• Contains vitamin A and vitamin E , which acts as a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties
• It is an emollient agent with excellent sensory properties due to the unique combination of triglycerides and fatty acids;
• Cinnamic acid helps protect the skin against UV rays.

Shea Butter for the Skin

The vitamins in butter are very beneficial for the skin. They increase collagen production, hydrate and prevent premature aging. Its vegetable fats improve cell regeneration, while cinnamic acid protects the skin from the sun. Ingredients called unsaponifiables hydrate and heal . It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which address the root cause of the acne problem, or the growth of bacteria and inflammation on the skin.

Regular use of shea butter will improve the elasticity of the skin. Helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes. Butter also prevents stretch marks , scars, rashes and sores and also minimizes acne blemishes and skin conditions that require treatment, such as eczema. It helps in hydrating the lips and can also be used to soothe the skin after shaving.

Using shea butter on your skin

For the body : Suitable for dry skin. To hydrate and soften the skin, put a little shea butter in the palm of your hand, rub with your fingers and apply directly to the skin, gently massaging the body. Or you can also add shea butter to your favorite moisturizer . In case of pregnancy, use it daily to prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen, breasts and thighs.

For the face : Apply the pure shea butter on your face before going to bed, with a gentle, circular massage. In the morning, wash your face as usual.

You can also prepare a blend with essential oils to improve acne. Melt a tablespoon of shea butter. When cool, add 5 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of Melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil. Mix and place in a small, clean container. Apply the pure butter on your face before going to bed, with a gentle, circular massage. In the morning, wash your face as usual. Repeat the treatment three times for a week.

Shea Butter for Hair

One of the oldest and most used active ingredients to deeply nourish and treat hair is shea butter, which is extremely emollient, ensuring shine, control and strength . Products that contain this active ingredient in an appropriate concentration can protect the hair’s moisture by ensuring hydration.

This compound also works as an excellent source of nutrition. When the hair is going through a bad stage it is very interesting to have a little help from this butter. It is a simple and easy way to help rebuild your hair . Shea butter ensures that hair is silky, smooth, cuticles coated and sealed, reducing porosity.

Using shea butter on hair

For extremely dry and brittle hair : After washing your hair normally, remove excess water and apply shea butter to all hair, avoiding the scalp. Caution: Be careful with the amount, since in excess it can cause the hairs to be heavier than usual. Put on a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes. Then just rinse with very hot water.

For normal to dry hair : After washing your hair normally, remove excess water. Add a little shea butter to your favorite mask and apply to lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp. Put on a shower cap and let it act following the instructions on your mask. Then just rinse with very hot water.

The 13 Health Benefits of Shea Butter

Shea butter has many health benefits, particularly for skin and hair.

It is used in a wide variety of cosmetic and medical formulas in combination with other botanical ingredients. These are some of its benefits:

1. Healing qualities

Shea butter is known for its healing properties , which can be attributed to the presence of various fatty acids and plant sterols such as oleic, palmitic, stearic and linolenic acids.

These oil-soluble components do not undergo saponification, that is, they do not change alkalis on contact with soap.

Shea butter has saponifiable oils and fats like those of other nuts, which transmit great healing potential to the skin.

Unrefined, raw shea butter is effective in healing skin rashes , peeling after tanning, scars, stretch marks, chilblains, burns, athlete’s foot, insect bites, muscle fatigue, and arthritis.

2. Antioxidant qualities

Shea butter contains antioxidants such as vitamins A and E , as well as catechins.

Vitamins A and E protect cells from free radical damage and the environment. Cinnamic acid esters prevent damage to the skin from ultraviolet radiation.

3. Anti-inflammatory qualities

Several derivatives of cinnamic acid are in shea butter, which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.

Research has shown that in addition to its anti-inflammatory benefits, the lupeol cinnamate found in shea butter helps prevent tumor development .

Its anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial for the improvement of skin conditions.

Being rich in valuable components such as unsaturated fats and a large proportion of unsaponifiable components such as essential fatty acids, vitamins E and D, phytosterols, provitamin A and allantoin, shea butter is considered a superfood for the skin.

It has been used since ancient times for skin care, baby care and for consumption.

In fact, the legendary Egyptian queen Nefertiti had shea butter as one of her beauty secrets, proving once again its goodness for the skin.

4. Sunscreen

Shea butter acts as a sunscreen , providing natural protection against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation , although the level of protection it offers can be variable.

Shea butter is considered the best beauty product for winter and after-sun care, as it provides the extra hydration, nutrients and protection necessary for your skin during the cold season and summer.

5. Healing agent

Shea butter has amazing healing properties. It is often used as a base for medicinal ointments due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

It has been used since the Middle Ages to treat scars, eczema, blemishes, skin discoloration, chapped lips, stretch marks, dark spots, and reduce irritation caused by psoriasis.

Due to its high content of vitamin A, it is effective in promoting healing and disinfection; and soothes skin that suffers from allergic reactions due to poison ivy and insect bites.

Vitamin C acts as a rejuvenator and soothing agent for rough and cracked skin, see the ranking of the 50 foods with the most vitamin C.

6. Anti-aging benefits

Shea butter is considered the best anti-aging and contains moisturizing agents for the skin. Stimulates the production of collagen, the protein scaffold of youthful skin.

Vitamins A and E found in this butter keep skin soft, nourished and radiant and prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines.

Shea butter penetrates the skin easily without clogging the pores, and is effective for dry skin .

7. Baby care

Shea butter is an excellent natural moisturizer, without chemicals, therefore it is especially suitable for the delicate and sensitive skin of babies.

It can be applied to the skin of babies after bathing them or to cure eczema or rashes.

8. Lip care

Shea butter is easily absorbed and provides hydration and nutrients that are needed during the cold, dry season.

Therefore, it acts as a perfect stick to protect lips from cold and dry weather, and is effective in treating dry and chapped lips.

9. Returns the elasticity of the skin

The non-saponifiable materials and vitamin F in this butter are vital ingredients for maintaining skin elasticity.

Therefore, the application of shea butter restores the elasticity of the skin and helps to maintain its tone, as well as hydrating, softening and beautifying it.

When it comes to the skin and hair benefits of shea butter, the list is just endless.

Simply put, it can be said that it is considered a natural hair conditioner, thanks to its hydration and healing properties.

Some of the many benefits of shea butter for hair are listed below.

10. Relieves dry and irritated scalp

Shea butter is effective in soothing an itchy scalp and dandruff .

It has anti-inflammatory qualities and absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy residue or clogging pores.

It is rich in vitamins A and E, which relieve dryness and repair the ends . Therefore, it is extremely effective in relieving dry scalp , dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

11. Moisturizer

The presence of vitamins A and E make shea butter an excellent moisturizer for hair, from root to tip. Therefore, it can be used as a natural conditioner.

It is very effective in locking in moisture without leaving hair greasy or heavy . Shea butter is widely used in the treatment of curly hair, due to its emollient qualities.

Many chemical treatments, such as hair straighteners, curlers, and perms, are responsible for removing the natural moisture from this type of hair. Shea butter can help restore lost moisture.

12. Hair protection

Shea butter provides protection to hair against harmful free radicals in air, water, and harsh weather conditions.

In addition, shea butter has a low amount of SPF, which is enough to protect hair from damage caused by solar and ultraviolet radiation , and repair damage that has already been caused by the sun and the weather.

This is largely due to the fact that, once absorbed by the layers of the hair, the butter protects from heat and causes any other damaging material to “slide” down the length of the hair.

This is particularly beneficial for color-treated or progressively straightened hair . It also protects hair from salt and chlorine when applied before swimming.

13. Emollient for hair

Shea butter is great for smoothing and revitalizing damaged, brittle hair . Due to its non-greasy nature, it helps control and diffuse excess oil on the scalp.

Massaging your hair with a generous amount of shea butter will leave it soft and silky. This benefit is applicable to curly, dry or weak hair.

Shea butter should be applied twice a week to promote hair growth, improve texture and hydration.

Shea Butter: Nutritive value

The healing properties of shea butter can be attributed to the nutritional value of the fat. Contains UVB absorbing triterpenic esters such as cinnamic acid and tocopherols.

In addition to these compounds, it also has a high percentage of phytosterols, triterpenoids and hydrocarbons, such as karitene.

Fatty acids: Shea butter is basically composed of five main fatty acids called palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and arachidonic acid, with a higher proportion of stearic and oleic acids, which together represent 85-90% of fatty acids .

Stearic acid provides the solid consistency, while oleic acid influences the hardness or softness of the shea butter.

Phenolic compounds: They are known for their antioxidant properties. Shea butter contains 10 phenolic compounds – eight of which are catechins. Traditionally, shea butter that is extracted with hexane has higher levels of phenolic.

In fact, the catechin content in shea butter exceeds the total phenol content in ripe olives.

The total concentration and the relative percentage vary from region to region, depending on the level of stress suffered by trees in the environment.

Homemade Recipes with Shea Butter for Hair

Moisturizing conditioner with shea butter

INGREDIENTS FOR OILY OR MIXED HAIR:

• 2 tablespoons of shea butter .
• 4 tablespoons of warm water.

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION:

To work the hard shea butter, add it to a cup with the hot water and mix with a hand mixer until you get a homogeneous cream.

Apply the mixture with your fingers to the entire length of the hair. You can also add it to your normal moisturizer .

INGREDIENTS FOR DRY HAIR:

• 2 g of Kumquat .
• 6 g of cetyl alcohol .
• 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil .
• 90 g of hot water.
• 10 drops of rosewood oil .
• 1 tablespoon of shea butter.

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION

The kumquat, cetyl alcohol, grapeseed oil, and shea butter are combined in a tall bowl and hot water is added. Shake until the ingredients have dissolved and become a creamy batter.

Next, rinse the cream off in cold water.

Apply the mixture to freshly washed hair and massage gently. Leave on for about five minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.

Shea Butter Conditioner:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon of burdock oil .
• 1 dessert spoon of shea butter.
• 3 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil .

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION

Mix the ingredients well with a hand mixer. When the shea butter is very hard, you can add a little hot water. Shake until you get a paste.

Distribute the cream on the hair, especially on the ends. Let it act for a few minutes. Rinse with plenty of lukewarm water and apply a mild shampoo.

Shea butter hair mask

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 very ripe avocado .
• 1 tablespoon of honey.
• 75 g of whole milk yogurt.
• 5 drops of olive oil .
• 1 tablespoon of shea butter.
• 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel .

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION

Scoop the pulp out of the avocado and place it in a tall container. Fill with the rest of the ingredients and mix with a hand mixer, until you get a cream.

Rub the mask with your fingertips on clean hair. Pay special attention to the ends.

Then wrap your hair in a hot towel. Leave on for 2 hours and wash with shampoo.