The benefits and types of shea butter and its moisturizing properties

Shea butter has wide-ranging beneficial skin and skin care properties and is found in the seed fat of shea trees. Shea butter has a long heritage of use as a cosmetic ingredient, having been used for centuries. The high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids it contains makes it a great product for the skin by softening, soothing and conditioning it.

Shea trees are found in tropical climates in East and West Africa. Shea tree seeds contain oil kernels, from which shea butter is derived. After removing the kernels, they are ground into powder and boiled in water. The butter rises to the top and then becomes solid, ideal for topical use in cosmetics. 

The chemical composition of shea butter is what makes it so beneficial. So, what exactly does it contain? It contains oils such as linoleic, palmitic, and stearic, in addition to oleic fatty acids, which reduce the surface oil of the skin. And antioxidant vitamins A, E and F, all of which promote healthy-looking skin. Triglycerides, which can be found in the fatty part of shea nuts, also nourish and moisturize the skin. It contains cetyl esters, found in the waxy part of shea nut butter, which moisturizes the skin and locks in moisture.

Moisturizing properties

Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nut of the shea tree. It has been used in cosmetics for centuries because it is great at softening the skin. Shea butter contains a high percentage of vitamins and fatty acids. Naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F that improve the skin, it is a skin savior and rich in vitamins:

Anti-aging properties:

1. One of the benefits of shea butter is that it makes the skin look younger.

2. Shea butter contains enough vitamin A, which is good for the skin.

The properties of butter in treating the skin

1. Shea butter can heal scars, bruises and burns.

2. Besides, skin blemishes often leave dark spots after causing skin redness. Such defects can destroy the uniformity of skin tone.

Shea butter protects the skin

1. Shea butter helps protect the skin.

2. It contains natural substances that protect the skin, such as cinnamic acid.

Shea butter prevents skin irritation:

1. Shea butter can help prevent skin irritation.

2. Contains mostly natural ingredients suitable for adults and children. Applying shea butter can help relieve itching caused by dry skin

Shea butter helps reduce stretch marks

1. Shea butter can help reduce stretch marks on the skin.

2. Raw Shea Butter contains Vitamin A, which has amazing moisturizing qualities and healing properties.

Moisturizing and nourishing shea butter:

1. The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter helps moisturize and nourish the skin.

Different types of shea butter and their moisturizing properties

Lipex Sheasoft is a unique shea butter with unique formulations. It has a proven effect of instant hydration and skin barrier strengthening, making it an ideal moisturizer for a variety of applications within advanced skin care.

The smooth consistency, combined with a high melting point, provides the formulation with many ways to improve skin texture and high temperature stability without compromising long shelf life or attractive appearance.

Anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter 

Shea butter acts as an anti-inflammatory and skin repair agent from triterpene esters. The content of bioactive triterpene esters in shea butter ranges between 2% and 7% depending on the origin and quality of the shea kernels, and the initial content can also be increased by various processes such as solvent fractionation or molecular distillation.

Shea butter with high levels of triterpene esters has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibroblastogenic properties, as shown in in vitro skin models. In advanced shea butter, triterpene esters typically range between 5% and 7%, which is slightly higher than in traditional refined shea butter.

Other benefits

It helps fade scars caused by acne or non-acne related causes, as well as heal sunburned, cracked and flaky skin. It soothes skin allergies such as poison ivy and insect bites, as well as skin conditions such as contact dermatitis and psoriasis. Some users have reported that shea butter relieves rheumatism symptoms (although this claim has not been proven or supported by our experts). Aside from allergies, shea butter is also very safe, with the Environmental Working Group classifying it as non-toxic. The combination of ingredients found in shea butter also helps neutralize free radical damage, which may help reduce signs of aging.

Raw Shea Butter vs. Refined Shea Butter

When you shop for shea butter products, you'll notice that some are labeled "raw," while others are labeled "refined." Refined is another word for processed, so expect these products to be less effective and contain fewer vitamins and minerals. Colors may also vary, with raw products more likely to be yellow in color (versus refined shea butter, which is often white).

How to use shea butter

African Shea Butter is derived from the nut of the karite tree, which grows throughout the savannah belt of West Africa. African Shea Butter has been used for centuries for its amazing ability to rejuvenate, repair and protect the skin. The name Kariti means tree of life, due to the many important ways in which the people of this region use shea fruit:

Using shea butter on the skin and hair

Use shea butter as a moisturizer. Simply extract some shea butter from the jar and rub it onto your skin, focusing on dry areas (like hands, elbows, and feet).

Use shea butter to make lip balm

To make lip balm, you will need a double boiler, some small bowls, and the following ingredients:

1. 2 tablespoons of beeswax.

2. 2 tablespoons of shea butter.

3. 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.

4. 6-12 drops of essential oil (optional).

How to prepare 

1. Fill a large pot with a few inches of water, then place a large bowl over the pot. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water.

2. Turn on the stove and bring the water to a simmer. If you can't see the water, just watch the steam.

3. Add the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil to the pot and melt them. Make sure to stir the ingredients constantly so they melt and mix evenly.

 4. You can leave your lip balm plain, or you can spice it up with 6 to 12 drops of essential oil. Oils that work well with shea butter include vanilla, lavender, and rose. After adding the oils, stir the mixture again to blend everything together.

5. Transfer the lip balm to an airtight container. Work quickly before the mixture hardens. You can use anything to store lip balm, as long as it has a tight-fitting lid. If you have difficulty pouring the mixture, you can use a spoon or dropper to transfer the mixture from the bowl to the container.

finally

Shea butter has quickly become one of the favorite natural moisturizers around the world. Its light, creamy texture (when melted into a lotion or whipped into body butter), its subtle nutty scent, and its wonderful skincare properties have made it popular among women of all ages and skin types.

Gentle enough for baby's sensitive skin, Shea Butter nourishes and rejuvenates aging skin, while deeply moisturizing, healing and soothing. The benefits of shea butter come from its high fatty acid content. They contain oleic, stearic, linoleic, and palmitic acids in very high concentrations. It is also full of vitamins A, E and F.