Shea Butter - A Natural Beauty Product Out of Africa

Shea nut which produces shea butter

The sights and sounds of South Africa have been all over the world's TV screens for the last few days and will continue to be for the next month whilst the Football World Cup takes place. So, I decided to look at what else Africa has to offer us - particularly thinking about fashion and beauty and I hit upon the amazing natural product that is shea butter.

Shea butter is an ivory coloured natural fat which is extracted from the seed of the African Shea tree, which can be used as a moisturiser and salve for the skin. The name shea is derived from the name of the tree which is "Sí" in the Bamana language of Mali. Another name it is known by is "Women's Gold" not only because of its amazing properties and colour, but because it is one of the few commodities which is controlled by women in rural Africa, which is just another reason to look for this product and use it.

The Uses and Benefits of Shea Butter

  • Shea butter is full of vitamin A and vitamin E as well as complex fatty acids. Now we all know that vitamins are good, but it is the complex fatty acids in shea butter that are what separates the butter from other moisturisers, such as cocoa butter. Fatty acids are not produced by the body but are essential for great skin as they help restore natural elasticity and promote regeneration of skin cells - so you see, keeping your skin younger looking.
  • It can be used all over the face and body as a moisturiser both morning and night - it is rapidly absorbed by the skin and does not leave a greasy feel.
  • If you have skin discolourations or freckles, shea butter can help fade these marks away by neutralising free radicals that damage your skin so helping you maintain a brighter and clearer skin tone.
  • It can be used as a lip salve as it works hard to repair chapped and cracked skin.
  • If you suffer from eczema or dermatitis, or cracked and sore skin on your feet or elbows, treat these areas with shea butter at bedtime and your skin will be softer and smoother in the morning.
  • Skin which is acne scarred will also benefit from shea butter as again it will help to fade away any scars and marks.

Always look for unrefined shea butter rather than refined, which will have been treated at high temperatures destroying the butter's natural properties and will also, more than likely, have nasty added chemicals.