Shea butter is a solid butter that is derived from from the nuts of Karite trees (also known as Mangifolia). The nuts are crushed,boiled and manipulated to extract the caramel colored fat,which is commonly referred to as Shea Butter.
Shea butter is an edible fat that has gained huge popularity due to its widespread use in several skin beautifying products.
Shea butter since time immemorial has been used for skin care, baby care and for consumption.In Fact, the legendary Egyptian queen Nefertiti owed her beauty secret to Shea butter which further more demonstrate its goodness for skin
COMPONENTS OF SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter is blessed with several fatty acids and plants sterols such as oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid and others. It gets absorbed quickly into the skin as it melts at body temperature. Shea butter may be refined or unrefined. Raw or unrefined shea butter is the purest form of shea butter which is most natural and least processed. Since it is extracted manually, it is able to retain its vitamins, minerals and other natural properties. Refined shea butter, on the other hand, is the processed form of butter.
HEALTHY BENEFITS OF SHEA BUTTER
1.SUN PROTECTION
Shea butter acts as a natural sunscreen by providing protection against the ultraviolet radiations of sun though the level of protection offered may be variable. Shea butter is considered as the best skincare for winter and after-sun care as it provides the extra moisture, nutrients and protection needed by your skin during the cold season and summer.
2.HEALING AGENT
Shea butter has amazing healing properties. It is often used as a base in medicinal ointments due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used since ages for the treatment of scars, eczema, blemishes, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretch marks, dark spots and in reducing the irritation caused by psoriasis. Due to its high content of vitamin A, it is effective in promoting healing and disinfection; and soothes skin allergies like poison ivy and insect bites. Vitamin F acts as a rejuvenator for soothing and healing rough and chapped skin.
3.ANTI-AGING BENEFITS
Shea Butter is considered as one of the best anti-ageing and moisturizing agents for skin. It stimulates the production of collagen, the youthful scaffolding protein in the skin. The vitamins A and E found in this butter keep the skin supple, nourished and radiant and prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines. Shea butter penetrates the skin easily without clogging the pores and is effective for dry skin.
4.BABY CARE
Shea butter is an excellent natural moisturizer which is devoid of chemicals. Thus, it is ideal for baby care as besides being gentle and soft on skin, it is specially adapted for delicate and sensitive skin of babies. It can be for after bath application on skin and as also for healing eczema or diaper rash on the skin of babies.
5.LIP CARE
Shea butter is easily absorbable and provides extra moisture and nutrients that are needed during cold season and dry weather. Thus, it acts as a perfect lip balm to protect your lips from cold and dry weather and is effective for treating dry and chapped lips.
6.RESTORES SKIN ELASITICITY
Non-saponifiable matter and vitamin F in this butter are vital ingredients for maintaining skin-elasticity. Thus, application of shea butter restores the elasticity of the skin and helps maintain it.
7. ANTIOXIDANT QUALITIES
Shea butter contains plant antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, as well as catechins. The vitamins A and E protect the cells from free radicals and environmental damage. The cinnamic acid esters in shea fat helps in preventing skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.
8. MAKEUP REMOVAL
Shea butter is a very skin friendly makeup remover because it contains pytonutrients and its fat acts as an oil base make up remover that leaves the pores open and the skin silky and smooth.
Thanks to Mother Nature for the gift of this great butter that has been of immense help to humans since time immemorial.
Dear reader, next time you come across the queen of butters,make sure you give it the desired respect.
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