15 Shea Butter Benefits You Can’t Live Without

Shea butter is notoriously known to be liquid gold for skin. Believe me, after much personal research I can confirm that Shea butter lives up to the hype! It is a super emollient with deep moisturizing properties that aids in helping heal serious dermatological issues like psoriasis, rosacea and eczema. But it doesn't stop there! Shea butter can be used in a variety of ways and applications making it one of the only beauty products you will ever need.

Shea Butter is the vegetable fat derived from the nut of the African Karite (Shea) tree. It is a staple ingredient widely used in beauty products. There are two types of Shea butter available on the market: refined and unrefined.

Unrefined Shea butter is the healthiest and purest version of Shea butter available. It has not been chemically processed and has no additives. As a result it retains all of its nutrients and healing properties. Unrefined Shea butter can vary in color from ivory to yellow and has a mild nutty scent.

Refined Shea butter has been chemically processed using a variety of ingredients such as bleach that strips the Shea butter of the nutrients that make it beneficial to the skin. While it still works as an excellent moisturizer it has lost most of its inherent health benefits. 

Shea butter is produced primarily by women in the villages of eastern Africa, Ghana specifically. Creating this luxurious butter is labor intensive and utilizes a centuries old secret recipe passed down from generation to generation. 

The women extract the butter from the Shea nut by roasting the nuts. The nuts are cracked, dried and roasted until they form a brown paste like substance. Once this process has been completed distilled water is used to purify the mixture. The paste is then heated and the fat separates from the paste. The fat rises to the top and is removed and set aside to solidify. This solidified fat mixture is the finished Shea butter used in our whipped Shea butter!  

1. Shea butter is good for all skin types: Even though it is derived from a tree nut it is low in the proteins that trigger nut allergies.  
2. Shea butter is is non comedogenic - Shea butter will not clog pores making it the perfect moisturizer for acne prone skin.
3. Shea butter is an emollient: It softens and smooths skin making it a excellent moisturizer. When applied to the skin it is rapidly absorbed. Shea butter does wonders for skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. 
4. Shea butter is full of antioxidants such as Vitamins A & E: These antioxidants protect skin cells from harsh environmental elements and encourages skin cell regeneration as well improve blood flow beneath the surface of the skin. 
5. Shea butter is an anti-inflammatory: It is ideal for treating sunburn, skin allergies, insect bites, eczema and more.
6. Shea butter is antibacterial and anti fungal: It has catechins which is a polyphenol that has some anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. This gives Shea Butter the ability to prevent blemishes and makes it a wonderful addition to any skin care routine.
7. Shea butter is an Anti-aging agent: Shea butter  the production of collagen. Vitamins A and E keep the skin supple, nourished and radiant.
8. Shea butter is a superior skin protectant: Shea butter is sealant and locks in moisture leaving skin hydrated and supple.
9. Shea butter is good for stretch marks: Massaging Shea butter into the skin daily will improve skin health giving it more elasticity. fatty acids contribute to healthy, flexible skin. 
10. Shea butter provides protection from sun damage: The cinnamic acid found in Shea butter provides UV protection that ranges from 5 - 7 depending on the butter’s quality and is great for small children with sensitive skin.
11. Shea butter for babies: Shea butter is a natural diaper rash cream. It is anti fungal and anti-inflammatory, which helps fight off the yeast responsible for diaper rash. 
12. Shea butter for hair: Shea butter protects processed and colored hair from chlorine damage when swimming.
13. Shea butter for hands: Using Shea butter both before and after manicures will keep the cuticles soft, prevent infection and stop painful hang nails from forming. 
14. Shea butter is good for shaving: Shea butter is a natural shaving cream and prevents razor bumps, irritation and redness. 
15. Shea butter is good for lips: Shea butter is already an ingredient found in many popular lip products because it is so moisturizing. However, you can use Shea butter alone to the lips and get the same results as when you buy the more expensive counterparts.