7 Shea Butter Benefits + DIY Soap
Updated: Oct 24, 2020
Do you have dry skin or want to protect yourself from the cold weather? Keep reading to find out the benefits of shea butter.
Product Overview
When winter comes, our skin tends to get dry and flaky, but this issue will continuously be present if you have a dry skin type.
Dry skin ages faster and is more exposed to sun damage; this why some people with dry skin start showing sunspots and deep wrinkles as they age; this all due to a lack of skin oils.
With exposure to the cold and intense humidity, it is very common for redness and chilblains to appear on the hands or other more sensitive parts of the body that may require extra protection. We often overlook, like the ears, for example.
One way to protect and at the same time nourish the skin naturally is through shea butter, a natural product that is becoming more and more common in body care and cosmetics and which has been widely used throughout the centuries in Africa thanks to its excellent healing and moisturizing properties.
It is said that Cleopatra used the milk for her baths to enhance her beauty, but what is not known is that in Egypt, caravans arrived full of vessels with shea butter for the care of her skin.
How is shea butter obtained?
Shea butter can be found on the market in various ways, either as an ingredient in a long list of cosmetic products, either by buying the refined butter, with fewer properties and benefits, purchasing natural options like soaps which are either pure raw shea butter or mixed with other ingredients such as dead sea mud or coconut oil or by choosing the best choice: pure butter as such.
Visually it has a waxy texture, but it transforms into a moisturizing oil and is easy to apply in contact with body heat. It is very similar to coconut oil, which also goes from solid to liquid when warm.
Properties and benefits of Shea Butter
In addition to its protective ability against the cold, unrefined raw shea butter provides numerous benefits to the skin and hair.
It is ideal for regenerating and nourishing dry skin (face and body) and atopic skin and skin problems. It is rich in vitamins A, K, and E (tocopherols), natural preservatives, and antioxidants.
Let's go deeper into some of its most significant properties:
Anti-aging
If you are looking for an anti-aging product, shea provides excellent results due to its composition rich in vitamins and minerals.
It is imperative not to use large quantities at facial level not to leave an oily skin feeling.
It is only necessary to meet with the corporal heat a dose similar to hazelnut and extend in the facial zone through ascending massages.
Extra hydration
If what you are looking for is hydration and nutrition of prolonged effect, I recommend you, especially the shea butter, since it has an excellent capacity to retain the humidity.
Elastic skin
This will also make your skin more flexible, elastic and silky to the touch thanks to its natural latex. It is especially useful on chapped hands, elbows, heels, flaky skin.
Reduces stretch marks
It is a powerful healer -that is why it is also an excellent anti-aging product, which reduces stretch marks, wrinkles, and even spots on the skin.
It will reduce the chances of pregnant mothers to develop stretch marks; you want to start applying throughout the entire pregnancy.
It is also great to reduce the risk of stretch marks on lactating mothers.
Heals sunburns
Due to its natural composition, shea provides us with some sun protection equivalent to a factor 8, although this does not mean that we can use it as a sunscreen to go to the beach or the mountains.
However, it works wonderfully as a remedy for sunburn, and if your sunscreen is to drying, you can apply shea butter over it for extra protection and humidity.
Soothes insect bites
Notice shea butter won't repel bugs, but if you get a bug bite, it will soothe the itching and reduce the inflammation. Please note this is just an alternative always consult with a dermatologist.
Anti-inflammatory power
Moreover, thanks to its anti-inflammatory power, we can treat eczemas, ulcers, rubbing, bruises, chilblains, etc. without fear and excellent results. Its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties also allow us to use it after shaving or to relieve irritated skin.
How should shea butter be used?
Because it is such a versatile product, it can be used as a day and night facial cream, a body cream, a hair mask, or to nourish the skin's driest areas.
Its solid butter-like texture allows it to turn into oil when it comes into contact with body heat.
It offers a pleasant application in any part of the body and is perfect for balms. Shea butter will become one of your basics to nourish the body, a natural hydration form, and appropriate for all skin types.
Want to make your own Shea Butter soap? Follow this recipe
Ingredients (8 soaps)
Virgin olive oil 7 oz
Coconut oil 5.29 oz
Sweet almond oil 1.76 fl oz
Shea Butter 2.82 oz
Wheat germ oil 0.88 oz
Water 4.23 fl oz
Soda 2.82 oz
Preparation
Heat the oils to 140º F.
Pour the water into a plastic container.
Add the soda.
Move with a wooden stick.
Leave to cool.
Beat all the ingredients in a blender.
When it is thick, remove it.
Pour into mold or several individual molds.
Cover with cling film, sticking it to the soap (it is important that there is no air between the film and the soap).
Let it cool down until it hardens and cut.
Do not feeling like doing soap yourself, then check these product suggestions.
No sulfates, no parabens, no phthalates, no propylene glycol, no mineral oil, no animal testing, and no petroleum.
100% Natural, Non-GMO, Cruelty-Free, and are made with a combination of Dead Sea Mineral Salt, Argan Oil, Shea Butter, and RPSO Sustainable Palm Oil. The delicious light vanilla scent created with a natural essential oil blend.
O Naturals 3 Piece Moisturizing
These triple-milled soap bars have an irresistibly luxurious lather that will glide over your body and leave your skin feeling smooth and softer than ever before.
Made from palm ash, tamarind extract, tar, and plantain peel has been used in Africa for centuries.
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