This article delves into the benefits of shea butter for the skin, how to use it to make skin care products at home, and its side effects. Keep reading!
Benefits Of Shea Butter For The Skin
Shea butter is a popular ingredient in skin care products because extensive scientific evidence proves its benefits for the skin. Listed below are some of its benefits:
Fights Skin Inflammation
Shea butter fights skin inflammation, redness, and irritation (1).
Moisturizes The Skin
Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, making it a good moisturizer for the skin and hair. Its buttery consistency also makes it a good emollient. That is why it can repair dry, inflamed skin effectively (2).
Strengthens The Skin
It increases the thickness of the skin barrier to protect and strengthen the skin (1)
Treats Eczema
This natural butter has been proven superior to mineral oil at preventing transepidermal water loss from the skin. This emollient property of shea butter makes it excellent for managing eczema symptoms (2).
Fights The Signs Of Aging
Shea butter helps in enhancing collagen production. This improves skin elasticity and keeps fine lines and wrinkles at bay (3).
May Soothe Allergic Reactions
Shea butter has healing properties that can treat skin rashes, skin peeling after tanning, and burn wounds (4).
Treats Infections And Allergic Reactions
Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties. It may help soothe irritation, redness, and swelling associated with allergic reactions caused by poison ivy and insect bites (1).
Treat Skin Roughness
The vitamin F in shea butter helps in the healing process of rough and chapped skin (2).
Works As A Sunscreen
Shea butter is a good sun screening agent (3). It may protect the skin from UV damage and sunburn, prevent erythema (redness), and reduce the risk of skin cancer caused by the UV rays.
Protects The Skin In Extreme Weather
In extreme weather conditions (both summer and winter), shea butter provides the extra moisture and nutrients needed to protect the skin (3).
A Common Ingredient In Skin Care Products
Shea butter gets absorbed by the skin easily and has water-binding properties. That is why it is a common ingredient in many skin care products (3). It is also used in the cosmetic industry due to its high percentage of triterpenes, tocopherol, phenols, and sterols, which possess potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (1). It is clear that shea butter works wonders on your skin. So, check out how you can add it to your daily skin care routine in the next section.
How To Use Shea Butter
You can use shea butter to make your all-natural skin care products at home. Here’s how:
1. Shea Butter Balm
You Will Need
1/4 cup grated shea butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon argan oil 1 tablespoon grated beeswax
Procedure
2. Shea Butter Hand Cream
You Will Need
2 teaspoons coconut oil 1 teaspoon almond oil 1 teaspoon cocoa butter 1 teaspoon shea butter
Procedure
3. Shea Butter Lip Balm
You Will Need
3 teaspoons shea butter 3 teaspoons olive oil 10 drops of any essential oil 1 teaspoon of honey
Procedure Sarah, a DIY skin care blogger, recently ventured into crafting her homemade lip balm. Sharing her experience, she says, “I tested my first homemade lip balm and after I noticed how good it worked I gave a few away to friends. It is soooo easy and cheap to create your own lip balm (it literally takes me only 5 minutes to do AND clean up afterwards) – I was in heaven and thought I would never again have to spend money on toxic lip products from anywhere else (i).”
4. Shea Butter Face Pack
You Will Need
1 tablespoon grated shea butter 2 scoops of mashed avocado 1 tablespoon aloe vera 1 tablespoon coconut oil 5-10 drops of your preferred essential oil
Procedure
Side Effects Of Shea Butter
If you have acne-prone skin, avoid using shea butter as it may clog your pores and cause more breakouts. Also, like every natural ingredient, shea butter may cause an allergic reaction. If you are not sure whether you are allergic to shea butter, conduct a patch test on your forearm before applying it to your face. Anecdotal evidence suggests that symptoms of an allergic reaction to shea butter may include:
Nausea Rashes Itching Hives Dizziness
Consult a doctor immediately if you experience any of the above side effects. Does shea butter remove dark spots? Yes, shea butter may help eliminate dark spots as well as prevent them from appearing in the first place. However, there is no scientific evidence that it can clear your skin. Does shea butter make the skin darker? Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer because of its skin-friendly properties. However, it does not lighten or darken the skin. Can you use shea butter daily? Shea butter can be used daily. Make sure your face is clean and free from impurities before applying it. Does shea butter help with stretch marks? A study found that a cream containing shea butter and cocoa butter may help increase collagen levels (5). This, in turn, may strengthen the skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. However, further studies are warranted to investigate this claim. How is shea butter extracted? Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. The process involves removing the outer shell of the nuts, crushing or grinding the kernels into a powder, and then boiling the powder in water. The butter rises to the top of the water and solidifies. Once that happens, it is scooped off and left to cool and set. Watch this video to discover the benefits of shea butter and unveil the natural wonders of this African treasure. Explore its deep moisturizing properties, healing benefits, and how it rejuvenates skin.
