Shea butter (karite butter) is a Natural Butter gotten from the Nuts of the Karite tree, it is packed full of vitamins A and E to strengthen skin and repair damage. Shea butter is used to heal Burns, Sores and Scars, and to treat Psoriasis, Eczema, and Dermatitis.  It helps promote cell renewal and diminish appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks. It is also great for treating Acne scars because it is non-comedogenic and has antimicrobial properties.

Shea butter contains: linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic fatty acids, ingredients that balance oils on your skin. It is also famous for vitamins A, E, and F, antioxidant vitamins that promote circulation and healthy skin cell growth, triglycerides, the fatty part of the shea nut that nourishes and conditions your skin. Cetyl esters, the waxy part of the shea nut butter that conditions skin and locks in moisture.

Note: Raw unrefined Shea butter has a strong nutty smell which doesn’t stay on the skin. Essential oils can be added to the shea butter to change the smell.

Benefits of using Shea Butter on your skin and hair.

1.It is safe for all skin types

Shea butter is a tree nut product. But unlike most tree nut products, it’s very low in the proteins that can trigger allergies. Shea butter doesn’t contain chemical irritants known to dry out skin, and it doesn’t clog pores. It’s appropriate for nearly all skin types.

2.It is moisturizing

Shea butter is typically used for its moisturizing effects. When you apply shea topically, these oils are rapidly absorbed into your skin. This restores the barrier between your skin and the outside environment, holding moisture in and reducing your risk of dryness. 

3.It’s anti-inflammatory

The plant esters of shea butter have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. This may help minimize irritation caused by environmental factors, such as dry weather, as well as inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema.

Shea’s anti-inflammatory properties help soothe skin and relieve itching. This may prove especially helpful for inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Shea also absorbs rapidly, which could mean quick relief for flare-ups. It may also help soothe muscle soreness and joint pain.

4.It has antioxidants

Shea butter has significant levels of vitamins A and E and promotes strong antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are important anti-aging agents. They protect your skin cells from free radicals that can lead to premature aging and dull-looking skin.

5.It is antifungal

Shea tree products have been established as powerful ingredients to fight skin infections caused by fungi.

6. It may help prevent acne

Shea butter is rich in different kinds of fatty acids. This unique composition helps clear the skin of excess oil (sebum). At the same time, shea butter restores moisture to your skin and locks it in to your epidermis, so your skin doesn’t dry out or feel “stripped” of oil.

The result is a restoration of the natural balance of oils in your skin — which may help stop acne before it starts.

7. Shea butter helps boost collagen production

Shea butter contains triterpenes. These naturally occurring chemical compounds are thought to deactivate collagen fibre destruction. This may minimize the appearance of fine lines and result in plumper skin.  It helps promote cell regeneration. Shea’s moisturizing and antioxidant properties work together to help your skin generate healthy new cells.  It may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scarring. This may help the skin heal, minimizing the appearance of stretch marks and scarring.

8. Shea butter may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

By boosting collagen production and promoting new cell generation, shea butter may also help reduce what researchers call photoaging — the wrinkles and fine lines that environmental stress and aging can create on skin.

9.It offers added sun protection

Shea butter can’t be used by itself as an effective sunscreen. But using shea butter on your skin does give you some added sun protection. Shea butter contains an estimated SPF of 5 or 6. It may help soothe sunburn and other skin burns. Research also suggests that oils may be beneficial for superficial (first-degree) skin burns, such as sunburn.

Storage

Shea butter should be stored slightly below room temperature, so that it stays solid and easy to spread.