Shea butter is an all-natural amazing product. This creamy-colored fatty substance extracted from the nuts of karite nut trees (Butyrospermum parkii or "butter seed") grows wild in West and East Africa. Shea butter has a wide variety of applications, however, it is most well known for its exceptional dermatological and cosmetic healing properties. African healers have known about shea butter for thousands of years: the substance is almost magical in its healing effects on burns, skin conditions, ulcerated skin, stretch marks, and dryness.
Healing Qualities
The healing qualities of Natural Shea Butter are due to the presence of several fatty acids and plant sterols, namely oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids. These oil-soluble components are nonsaponifiable, meaning they do not undergo saponification, or convert to soap, when introduced to an alkali. Shea butter possesses a significantly greater nonsaponifiable fraction than most other nut oils and fats, which lends the substance greater healing potential for the skinAnti-Inflammatory Properties
Shea butter contains several derivatives of cinnamic acid, a compound common to cinnamon and balsam trees. Scientists have reported that Shea butter not only posseses anti-inflammatory benefits, but one compound, lupeol cinnamate, also prevented tumor development in a carcinogenesis test, a procedure in which cancer cells are literally "grown" in a culture dish. It contains beneficial vegetable fats that promote cell regeneration and circulation, making it a wonderful healer and rejuvenator for troubled or aging skin. It also contains natural sun-protectants.
Antioxidant Content
Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, as well as catechins, plant antioxidants also found in green tea. While it is unclear how well vitamins A and E in raw Shea butter are absorbed, there is evidence to suggest that cinnamic acid esters in Shea fat help to prevent skin damage from ultraviolet radiationThis natural product nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F, helpful for sun damaged skin preventing premature wrinkles and facial lines. The Vitamin A improves skin blemishes, wrinkles, eczema, and dermatitis. Vitamin F acts as a protector and rejuvenator soothing rough dry or chapped skin and helps soften dry or damaged hair.
Shea butter has powerful moisturizing, anti-aging, protecting and healing benefits to the skin. There are many uses of shea butter and it has been clinically shown to provide relief for various skin conditions.
- Excellent daily skin moisturizer for face and body
- Helps prevent and reduce stretch marks during pregnancy and weight gain and loss
- Restores elasticity to skin and reduces blemishes and wrinkles
- Anti-aging and anti-free radical agent known to increase circulation to the skin
- Helps reduces acne and scarring
- Excellent moisturizer for both eczema and psoriasis
- Helps soothe skin and diaper rash
- After sun conditioning
- Helps softens tough skin on hands and feet
- Dry, itchy skin and scalp relief
- Use after shaving to reduce razor irritation and bumps
- Provides healing benefits to skin wounds and cracks