Originally sourced from West Africa, shea butter is the extracted fat from shea tree nuts. It has a thick, creamy texture that becomes soft and melted at body temperature. It is made up of 60% fat and lots of vitamins making it a fantastic skin replenishment. Shea butter is more functional for skin than coconut oil. This is because coconut oil is highly comedogenic and very likely to clog pores. On the other hand, shea butter is NOT comedogenic which makes it ideal for every skin type.
The comedogenic rating scale was established in the late 70s by a dermatologist. The purpose of the rating system is to rank oils and butters accordingly to the likelihood of them clogging pores. Anyone with oily, combination or prone to skin problems should use this rating scale to determine if a certain product will clog their pores. The scale rates 0-5 with 0 being no chance of clogged pores and 5 being almost guaranteed to clog pores. Shea butter is rated at 0 which is why anyone can use it without worry.
Vitamins
Shea butter forms a moisture seal on the skin that protects and hydrates for several hours at a time. The high-fat content and vitamins make it an ideal moisturizer for all areas of the skin. It contains vitamins A, E, and F and also promotes collagen production.
Vitamin A- This vitamin is made up of three compounds: retinal, retinol, and retinoic acid. These three compounds are vital for cell production and growth. They stimulate collagen production which protects against UV exposure and wrinkles. A lack of vitamin A causes skin dryness and slow healing wounds. It has also been known to lighten brown spots and boost overall skin radiance.
Vitamin E- A fat-soluble nutrient that promotes cell function and skin health. It is also an antioxidant and helps reduce free radicals from environmental exposure. Vitamin E is found within cell membranes forming a barrier to maintain health and hydration. External factors such as aging, UV rays, and sun exposure deplete vitamin E which is why it needs to be replenished. Foods like nuts, seeds, and leafy greens all contain good amounts of vitamin E. Additionally, using skincare products that contain this vitamin also helps protect the skin.
Vitamin F- An omega-6 rich fatty acid known as linoleic or lipids. This nutrient helps protect and maintain a healthy skin barrier. This barrier ensures the skin maintains a proper water balance. Vitamin F is an anti-inflammatory that promotes youthful skin and helps with structure and function. Signs of vitamin F deficiency include dryness, roughness or cracking.
Types
Shea butter comes in two forms, unrefined or refined. The unrefined version is the purest and most vitamin-rich. Refined shea butter is processed to change the scent, texture, and color of the product. This leads to a depletion of vitamins and nutrients. If possible, choose a shea butter that is unrefined and in it’s the most natural state. Note that there are categories within the unrefined butter that classifies the quality. The best rating is A and the worst is F. Try to choose a higher rating because the better the rating, the purer and more vitamin dense it will be.
Shea butter has long been a staple product for many African regions with uses ranging from hair care to wound healing. It has been used for thousands of years and can be dated back to Cleopatra’s reign in Egypt. She would receive clay pots filled with Shea butter to use for cosmetic purposes.
Benefits
Healing properties of Shea butter include scars stretch marks, insect bites, burns, rashes, and peeling skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties which make it ideal for acne and generally irritated skin.
Shea butter can help restore moisture to hair and slightly protect it from sun damage. Try using it as a leave-in conditioner, a deep conditioning treatment or lightly coat it prior to going out into the sun. Since it is high in fats it might make some hair look more greasy than others. Play around with the amounts to find one that works perfectly for you.
The vitamin F in shea butter helps restore and maintain skin elasticity and collagen production. Using it during pregnancy, times of general weight changes or overall skin maintenance will offer amazing results.
The best time to apply shea butter to the face is at night before bed. This allows the nutrients to soak into the skin during the skin’s most active time of healing. It can be applied to hands, arms, and legs anytime for dryness relief and rejuvenation. Be sure to allow 15 minutes for shea butter to fully absorb into the skin.
