Shea Butter: Properties and Applications

Shea butter is from the African continent. It is there that the shea tree, or carite, grows, which is distributed throughout central Africa. At the age of 50, the tree produces fruits that resemble small avocados. Inside the fruit there is a nut in which the bulk of fats and carbohydrates are contained.

Shea Butter is the only source of vegetable fat in AfricaTherefore, this product is very valuable for African people. They use it not only in cosmetic procedures, as residents of other continents, but also for medicinal and nutritional purposes.

Due to the fact that the ripening of the fruit of the shea tree is quite long, the law of African countries prohibits cutting down of this “tree of life”, which is valuable and vital for the inhabitants of the continent.

Shea butter is a product rich in fatty acids, and fat takes up the lion's share of the total composition.

Fatty acids in the product are represented by the following components:

• oleic acid - 55%;

• stearic acid - 45%;

• palmitic acid - 7%;

• linoleic acid - 8%.

But not only the fat component makes shea butter so valuable. There are also many other beneficial substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body. For example, tocopherols and steroids that are involved in cell regeneration and rejuvenation. Triterpenes help saturate cells with oxygen, and polyphenols are involved in the fight against viruses and microbes.

Shea butter is divided into 5 classes according to the degree of processing and the method of extracting the product from the kernel of the fruit:

• Category A - unrefined oil extracted from the core with water;

• category B - refined product;

• category C - product of high purity;

• Category D - a product that has in its composition the minimum amount of various kinds of impurities;

• category E is a product with impurities.

Basically, there are two types of shea butter - refined and unrefined. Due to the fact that the refined product is subjected to purification, it loses a small part of the nutrients, for example, the same vitamin E. But the tool does not lose the possibilities of nutrition and hydration. An unrefined product is stored for a smaller amount of time and has a rich composition that includes tocopherol, which is very important for female beauty, or vitamin E, which is necessary to combat the formation of free radicals, as well as many more serious diseases.

Unrefined shea butter can also be identified by a specific, subtle, nutty smell. Refined product during its processing loses this property.

First of all, the oil has a positive effect on the quality of the skin. With regular use, the oil of the epidermis consumes the necessary amount of fluid, thus obtaining moisture and nutrition.Thanks to vitamins A and E, the skin tightens, the wrinkles on the face become less noticeable, and the inflammations and flakings are alike. Especially important is the effect of the product on the driest areas - elbows, knees, feet.

Oil has no contraindications when using it during pregnancy., and it is very important for a woman in anticipation of the baby, as many cosmetic products at this time are banned. Shea butter is a great helper for pregnant women in the fight against the occurrence of stretch marks during the period of gestation

As a rule, stretch marks appear in the 3rd trimester, when the active phase of growth of the fetus and, accordingly, the abdomen begins. The skin at this time is experiencing great tension. To soften and increase the elasticity of the epidermis in this difficult time a woman will help shea butter.

It has a beneficial effect on the restoration of the skin after sunbathing. It is also used as protection against UV rays, because shea butter has a degree of protection of UVF6.

The product assists in the fight against cellulite. Its advantage lies in the fact that it gives the skin elasticity by stimulating the synthesis of collagen.

This product is widely used in the care of delicate baby skin. It is used in combination with baby cream, and in pure form. It copes with the appearance of diaper rash, so it is usually applied under the diaper in order to protect the child from such troubles.

Shea butter has almost no contraindications, except for individual intolerance.

The extract of the fruit of the shea tree after the arrival in Europe and America was widely used in the field of cosmetology. Being an excellent moisturizer, it is used in the care of the skin of the face, body, hair. The oil is added to the production of shampoos, soaps, cream against stretch marks, after-tan lotions and almost every cosmetic product that is aimed at fighting dryness and irritation.

On the body of each person there are areas with dry and rough skin, which certainly need additional hydration. Shea butter can be an indispensable tool in the care of dry skin of the body, as well as rough skin of the feet.

You can buy shea butter extract at any cosmetic store specializing in body care products. Many products on sale already incorporate shea butter, but it can be bought in its pure form.

For home procedures, both refined and unrefined products are used. But the most tangible effect can be obtained from the oil, using it in a whipped form. Whipped texture perfectly absorbed into the skin, has a soft airy texture. For the manufacture of such a product will suit any oil - and refined and unrefined.

To make whipped shea butter, you will need:

• refined product - 80 g;

• jojoba extract - 18 g;

• vitamin E - 1 g;

• any broadcast to choose from - 1 g.

If the oily product is in a solid state, then it must be heated until it reaches a soft texture. Jojoba oil is also advised to heat up to 40 degrees. Then the ingredients are mixed by hand using a whisk or a mixer.

After the correct consistency of the product has been reached, vitamin E and ether with a favorite scent are added to it, for example, orange tree ether.

If the final product turned out to be very fat, corn starch can correct the situation.By adding 2–3 grams of this product, it will become less greasy and more pleasant to the touch. It is recommended to apply such means on a body every evening after a shower on a damp or dry body.

The shelf life of the whipped product depends on the presence of antioxidants in it and, in particular, vitamin E. Without additives, the cream will last from 1 to 3 months, and with them you can use a longer period of oil.

Winter cream:

• coconut oil - 20 g;

• shea butter extract - 20 g;

• grape seed oil - 20 g.

All components are mixed in a heated form, and then the mass is left to cool slightly. After use it on dry areas of the body. The cream itself is recommended to be stored in the refrigerator to avoid damage to the product.

You can also prepare a cream that is lighter in texture and looks more like milk, and use it in spring or early autumn.

Ingredients:

• coconut oil - 20 g;

• shea butter - 20 g;

• Sea buckthorn oil extract - 20 g;

• oil extract of aloe vera - 20 g

This product is prepared similar to the winter version of the cream. The ingredients are heated in a water bath to a temperature not higher than 40 degrees and then mixed in one container. After cooling, the resulting milk is transferred to a bottle with a dispenser, from which it will be convenient to apply the product to the body.

Wraps based on oil product can be performed at home without any extra expenses and trips to beauty salons.

Ingredients:

• chocolate 75% - 100 g;

• shea butter extract - 20 g;

• natural yogurt - 100 g

To prepare the composition, it is necessary to transform the chocolate from solid to liquid using a microwave. Melt the tiles, add softened shea butter and yogurt, mixing the mixture until a homogeneous slurry. It is applied to the skin with visible cellulite and wrapped in plastic. The procedure time varies from 20 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse the mixture preferably in the shower with a sponge and gel for the body.

Dry skin of the face is constantly in need of hydration. Redness and peeling - a clear sign of lack of moisture. Shea butter helps to fill the lipid balance. When used on dry skin, the epidermis is instantly moistened due to the oily texture of the product. After using the oil product, it remains moist for a long time, and when used systematically, it becomes silky, soft and smooth without signs of flaking and irritation.

Ingredients:

• the pulp of ripe avocado - 20 g;

• shea butter extract - 5 g;

• honey - 5 g;

• oil extract of jojoba - 5 g

To prepare the mask, you need to mix all its ingredients and apply the mixture on your face, avoiding the eye area, for 12 minutes. After the time, the remnants of the mask can be cleaned with a cloth, wash your face with warm water and apply cream.

The owners of the age of skin can recommend a cream with chamomile and lavender. In this recipe it is recommended to use shea butter. Therefore, before preparing the cream, you must leave a container with oil in a warm room or put it on the battery to melt the oil substance.

Ingredients:

• Shea butter - 10 g;

• almond oil extract - 20 ml;

• camomile ether - 3 drops;

• Lavender ester - 2 drops.

All components of the cream must be heated and mixed in the heat in one dish using a whisk. After mixing the product, it should be left for some time to solidify, and then put into a storage jar and use it overnight, using not a finger, but a special disposable spatula to remove the cream from the jar.

Shea Butter Extract works well on oily skin that also needs moisturizing. Contrary to expectations, the oil product does not clog the pores at all, although it has a greasy texture. That is why shea butter, due to its excellent absorbency and lack of gloss on the face, is also suitable for problem skin. For the same reason, acne scars heal faster and fewer scars.

Ingredients:

• oil extract carite - 10 g;

• honey - 10 g;

• walnut oil extract - 3 drops;

• salicylic acid tablets - 1 pc.

The ingredients are mixed in one container, preheating the oil extract shea, and put the mixture on the face. The mask can be used as a point, only on the problem area, and on the entire surface of the face, if the site of inflammation is quite extensive. Remove the mask without water, using only a clean, dry towel or cloth. The procedure is best performed at night and immediately go to bed after it.

Shea tree extract is a great activator of youth. With the help of products with shea butter, wrinkles on the face become less noticeable, and facial wrinkles can disappear altogether, so girls over 30 should take a closer look at this magical product, which delays the onset of age changes on the face. Starting to use the oil at the stage of occurrence of shallow facial wrinkles, you can eliminate them completely.

Ingredients:

• shea oil essence - 5 g;

• oil essence of aloe vera - 5 g;

• rose water - 5 g

Having mixed all the components of the mask, it is necessary to gently apply its composition to the face along the massage lines and leave for 20 minutes. After the mask is removed with wet wipes and washed with warm water.

Ingredients:

• shea extract - 50 g;

• wax - 30 g;

• cinnamon tincture - 30 ml.

Before preparing the cream, the wax must be heated so that it becomes soft and pliable. After oil, wax and cinnamon are mixed in the same container with a blender or mixer. Having a homogeneous mass, it is shifted to a jar for a cream and used as needed. This cream perfectly moisturizes and tightens the skin.

Ingredients:

• shea extract - 40 g;

• wax - 20 g;

• avocado extract - 10 g;

• orange juice - 10 g;

• Sandalwood oil - 3 drops.

Cooking:

• soften wax and shea butter;

• mix orange juice, sandalwood extract and avocado juice;

• combine the resulting compounds in the same bowl and mix with a whisk or mixer;

• apply a mask for 5-7 minutes;

• Rinse face mask with warm water.

Lips in the winter often cracked. In the cold period, they lack moisture and nutrition, so lip balm with shea butter will become a faithful helper in the fight for beauty.

Ingredients:

• shea butter extract - 15 g;

• Jojoba oil extract - 10 g;

• lemon tree oil extract - 3 drops.

On the stove you need to prepare a water bath and place the components of the balm in a bowl, stirring the composition periodically. When it reaches a uniform consistency, take the mixture out, fill the jar with it for storage and put it in the fridge. Balm can be used as a conventional lipstick, as soon as the mass cools.

Inflicting a few drops on the fingertips, they gently pass through the entire area under the eyes. Movement should not be sharp and rubbing. You only need to lightly touch the skin, gently driving a means into it. Such a massage will be especially effective for those who suffer from systematic swelling under the eyes.

In the care of eyelashes and eyebrows also often use shea butter, applying it both in pure form and in combination with other oils.The most convenient way to use the oil is to fill it with a clean empty jar from under the carcass and every day before going to bed apply clean shea butter or in combination with castor or burdock, on eyelashes and eyebrows. The result can be assessed after 3 weeks. Eyelashes will get a bright pigment and hairs will become denser.

Shea butter has a magical effect on dry skin of the feet. Putting it clean on the sole of the feet at night, wearing socks and falling asleep, in the morning it is possible to wake up with new skin on the feet. They will be completely soft and tender, like a child.

With the help of oil you can make a wonderful foot balm that will work not only against dry skin. He is also able to bring leg veins in tone, which often suffer from the beautiful half of humanity.

Ingredients:

• shea butter extract - 40 g;

• arnica oil - 9 g;

• lavender oil extract - 12 drops;

• myocarpus extract - 10 drops;

• oil extract of mint - 12 drops;

• rosemary extract - 0.5 g;

• chestnut extract - 0.5 g

First you need to soften the shea butter, then add arnica oil to it. After mixing them with a mixer, add the remaining components to the mixture, whipping for about a minute. Transfer the mass into the prepared container. Balm is used at night before going to bed.

Universal foot cream that helps dry skin with cracks, as well as struggling with excessive sweating, also has shea butter:

• shea butter extract - 70 g;

• coconut oil extract - 35 g;

• cocoa butter extract - 12 g;

• wax - 9 g;

• almond extract - 9 g;

• avocado extract - 9 g;

• jojoba extract - 9 g;

• lavender oil - 9 drops;

• tea tree oil - 5 drops;

• peppermint oil - 5 drops;

• Vitamin E - 5 g.

Cooking:

• liquidate shea butter, coconut and cocoa;

• add the remaining ingredients and beat the mass with a mixer for a minute;

• send the cream to a prepared container for freezing in the fridge.

Some women often do not use gels and foams, but different soaps in the washing process. They often contain additives in the form of scrubbing particles and moisturizing oils.

Ingredients:

• soap base - 100 g;

• glycerin - 3 g;

• clay - 5 g;

• tea tree ether - 6 drops.

• shea butter - 5 g

The soap base should be cut into cubes 1.5 to 1.5 cm and put the cut in the microwave so that the base melts. Clay should be mixed with glycerin, and shea butter should be put in a water bath to soften.

After the solid ingredients have melted, they need to be cooled a little, and then put everything together in one bowl and mix thoroughly. Then add the tea tree oil, mix it again and pour it into the form prepared for soap.

Before putting the mass in the form, you need to sprinkle it with alcohol to avoid bubbles on the surface of the oil. After filling the mold, the surface of the soap must also be treated with an alcohol solution for the same purpose. The resulting product can not be removed in the refrigerator, as it hardens at room temperature.

Shea butter life depends on its quality. Good quality oil can be used for 1 year.In addition, shea butter should not be left in the sun and in a hot room, it is better to let it be a cold, far dark corner of the room or a refrigerator in which any oil will last much longer. The melting point of the oil is 32 degrees, so its liquid consistency can remind the owner that the room is hot enough, so it’s better to send the product to the fridge to preserve its beneficial properties.

Shea butter is not as popular as, say, coconut oil, so there are not so many reviews about this product. You will rarely meet him in the segment of the Russian market. Yes, it is present in stock, but only a small mass of people in our country, including cosmetologists, recognized the effectiveness of the product and use it with pleasure. Though it is not enough reviews about it, but all of them are only positive. Buyers of shea butter are more likely to be women from 30 to 55 years old and they are completely delighted with its texture, smell and the result that they get after using it. Therefore, owners of shea butter are happy to advise on using this product in grooming procedures, and who knows, maybe someday it will be able to compete with the same coconut oil, or even surpass it in some way.

On the properties and application of shea butter (shea), see the following video.