1. Treats acne and dry spots
Thanks to its healing properties, attributed to the various fatty acids present, dry patches and acne are reduced. Raw, unrefined shea butter (link to raw shea butter) is thus effective in healing various skin ailments.
2. Is an anti-aging agent
Shea butter has long been considered one of the best anti-aging agents. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen is a body protein, which is produced from proteins that you get from your food but also from natural products that contain vitamins A and C, such as Sheabutter. Thus, it plays an important role in the production of your collagen and ensures soft, supple and radiant skin. With regular use, it reduces wrinkles and also prevents them.
3. Reduces stretch marks
Everyone has stretch marks, it’s just not always visible. Striae occurs when the body grows faster than the skin. The stretched skin then develops “cracks,” so to speak. Shea butter restores the elasticity of the skin and improves collagen production. Thus, sheabutter not only helps reduce stretch marks but also prevents them (link to sheabutter with coconut oil). Great for pregnant women who suffer from stretch marks and an itchy belly. So apply it preventively to prevent stretch marks as well.
4. Soothes skin and prevents diaper rash
Pure, unrefined shea butter moisturizes without chemicals. So it is ideal for babies’ sensitive skin (link to blog about baby skin). You can use it to heal diaper rash or eczema (link to shea butter with krappa).
5. Prevents hair loss
The fatty acids and essential nutrients of shea butter improve the health of your scalp and hair follicles. Thanks to these nutrients and fatty acids, your hair follicles become stronger and will therefore reduce hair loss, your hair becomes thicker and stays shiny. Also, thanks to the anti-inflammatory property of sheabutter, scalp conditions can be improved (think psoriasis and eczema).
6. Natural SPF
Shea butter provides natural protection from the sun. The spf factor is not as high as that of sunscreen but significant (factor7/factor8) that you can use it as minimal protection in late summer.
7. Aftersun care
After you have been in the sun, it is important to nourish your skin again. You can very well use shea butter with neem oil for this purpose. Because shea butter boosts collagen production and neem oil is soothing, you can apply it to areas that are peeling and/or burned. This will help the skin recover faster.
8. Reducing scars
By using shea butter regularly, you reduce dark spots and scars. This is due to the fatty acids and vitamins (especially vitamin A) present, which support the skin’s healing ability.
9. Good against eczema and Psoriasis
If you have eczema, you have a skin condition in which the skin becomes inflamed. It causes red scaly patches, bumps and (enormous) itching. The most common forms of eczema are atopic eczema (hereditary) and contact eczema (coming into contact with foreign substances/friction which irritates the skin). Thanks to the anti-inflammatory effect of Shea Butter, it soothes the skin and accelerates the skin’s ability to repair itself, thus significantly reducing eczema (skin inflammation).
In the process, it prevents new inflammations, dry patches and swelling of the skin.
10. Lip Care
Looking for a moisturizing lip balm? Use shea butter! It keeps your lips supple, soft, fights chapped skin and as already described in the blog, shea butter is a natural protection against the sun.
What do you use shea butter for? What do you notice about the positive effects of shea butter? Share your story with us.
