Shea butter, one of Mother nature’s generous wonders that always keeps me in awe. Her gifts abound all around us, waiting to be discovered and properly utilized. Shea butter is one of these wonder gifts.
Found in the very shores of Africa, this butter is extracted from the nut of the African Shea Tree. Usually ivory in color when freshly extracted but turns white after rigorous processing. It is widely used in health and beauty.
Shea butter is edible and is used in some food recipes in some parts of Africa. Shea butter is known by many names. The Yoruba tribe in West Africa call it “Ori”, Kade or Kadanya by the Hausa tribe, and karite in the Wolof language of Senegal etc.
Armed with natural elements, shea butter is regarded as the best natural lotion with Vitamins A and E that keeps your skin healthy. It also produces elastin and collagen known best for keeping your skin tight, smooth and young looking. Combine shea, mango and cocoa butters and you’ve got a triple threat for handling dry skin care challenges.
It rejuvenates your skin and cures dry skin especially, your hands and foot area. Shea butter has also been proven to heal stretch marks on the body. Shea butter is also great when used with essential oils for skin and hair care.
Why Shea Butter?
Here’s an interesting fact you should know about shea butter. A lot of beauty companies process and refine shea butter. It is important to know the difference between unrefined and refined shea butter.
Raw unrefined shea butter contains and retains all of the nutrients, Vitamins A, E, F, linoleic acid, stearic acid and Oleic acid and are quickly absorbed into your skin because of our body’s warm temperature.
On the other hand, refined shea butter is stripped of all these natural nutrients and may not be effective in healthy natural hair care. Be careful in choosing products made with shea butter. Always ensure they are 100% organic and unrefined.
Shea Butter Protects Your Hair and Skin
Shea butter contains low amount of SPF- Sun Protection Factor. And can be used as a natural sunscreen and hair protectant. It protects the hair from ultraviolent sun rays, coating the hair shaft; it protects the hair from chemicals used in hair treatments and also coats the hair from chlorine and salt contained in swimming pools.
It also heals dry, itchy and irritated scalp without clogging hair pores this enables hair growth without any obstructions.
Shea butter has amazing healing properties and it’s a must have to ensure a healthy hair.
It adds strength to dry, brittle, dull, lifeless hair. It adds moisture and shine to black hair.
It softens, hydrates and over all conditions our hair.
This super hair food has been found to treat scalp conditions like; burns, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin and allergic reactions. It is one of the cheapest natural treatments and can last up to several weeks. It is readily available in any local market.
You’re No Stranger to Shea Butter…
You’ve seen and/or used shea butter at some point in your life, be it as a hair butter or body butter. It doesn’t take a lot to help moisturize your skin or scalp. Just remember to look for it in its refined state or a buttery whipped cream for skin care.
That’s it for this week. As always …
Dedicated To Your Beauty
Juliette Samuel
Esthetician/Author/Publisher
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