Shea butter: what it is for and its benefits

Shea butter has fantastic cosmetic properties.

The shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii ), which means butter tree, is unique to the African continent, more precisely to its western region, since it needs the climate present between the Sahel and the savannahs to develop. For centuries, the use of its butter has been part of the local economic and social history.

Shea nuts are used to extract one of the most sustainable and valuable vegetable fats in the world, with extremely high quality, and one of the most moisturizing of all butters. And, as expected, shea butter is famous and is present in the formulas of several cosmetics sold in Brazil.

Sustainable production of shea butter

For the shea butter cycle , local knowledge is essential. Passed down from generation to generation, the production and harvesting techniques are the secret that has driven the active circulation of the product and its economic value. To be harvested, the tree must reach around 15 years of age, a period in which it begins to bear its fruits, which resemble the shape of an avocado, with sweet pulp and seeds covered by a thin shell.

The average production is 15 to 20 kilos of fresh fruit per tree each season, which means four kilos of dried product and two kilos of shea butter . The fruits are only harvested after they fall to the ground naturally, as those hanging on the tree are not ripe enough to produce butter .

The collection is always done by women, who each transport up to 40 kilos of the fruit per day, taking them in large baskets to the villages, where the shea butter will be extracted .

While cooperatives come together to promote sustainable harvesting and the spread of fair trade, some post-production societies seek to continue this process so that cosmetic products are 100% ecological, also applying sustainability standards to the components that complement production, using the cold pressing method , which ensures that all the nutritional qualities of shea butter will be preserved.

How is it made?

Once washed and dried in the shade, they are manually ground using a traditional African pestle and then roasted. The next step is to soak them in water until a thick paste is formed, which is then boiled to eliminate impurities and separate the butter from other components, which settle at the bottom of the pan.

The final product is the floating surface, which is filtered and packaged, ready for one of its uses: cosmetic, medicinal and even culinary. Shea butter , when ready, has the appearance of a creamy paste, whitish in color and a characteristic mild nutty odor. Those who do not like its aroma can choose to add essential oils.

There are two types of shea butter : refined and unrefined, as described above. The best way to use shea butter is in its raw state, that is, unrefined, since during this refining process it is heated to very high temperatures and its properties are altered – thus, its desired benefits are not obtained. The market offers numerous cosmetics using this raw material as a base, so you need to be careful whether it is really 100% pure.

Unrefined shea butter can be purchased in solid blocks and, despite being quite hard, it readily melts when it comes into contact with your hair and skin.

What is shea butter used for?

If you are interested in beauty products, you have probably heard about shea butter . It is one of the main nutritional and reconstructive active ingredients used in cosmetics formulations and its properties make it very interesting for this purpose. With so many benefits , it is not difficult to understand the national passion for the product and its explosion in the international cosmetics market.

What is shea butter used for on the skin?

With a smooth texture, but without a greasy or excessively shiny effect when compared to similar quantities of other natural oils , it is quickly absorbed and protects the skin from external aggressions, such as cold, wind, sun, sea water or pool water (chlorine).

Because it is rich in cinnamic acid , a natural phytosterol, shea butter forms a barrier against UVA and UVB rays, forming a natural sunscreen on the skin, making it a great ally both in the intense summer months and in the winter months and in dry climates. When pure, shea butter has the effect of a natural sunscreen, helping to protect against the sun, with a factor comparable to SPF 3.

Benefits of Shea Butter for Skin

Due to the large amount of unsaturated omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids , which are very important for the functioning of the body and for maintaining the skin, butter has the property of retaining moisture and improving its elasticity, providing greater hydration and preventing premature aging. It is also an emollient and can be used as a body butter , as it softens and smoothes the skin, preventing dryness even in the most difficult areas, such as knees and elbows, providing a velvety touch.

Its moisturizing effect is due to its composition rich in palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid.

It is a powerful cell regenerator as it contains a good amount of vitamins A and E , which work as natural antioxidants , with anti-inflammatory properties . The butter soothes inflamed skin and can therefore be used after shaving or waxing, and for men it is also an excellent natural aftershave .

In addition, it reduces scars, blemishes and softens wrinkles (anti-aging), minimizes acne blemishes, helps in the treatment of burns, wounds, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis and stretch marks that appear due to loss of skin elasticity. In general, it does not cause allergies, which enables it to be used in areas such as mucous tissue and around the eyes.

How to use on skin?

To moisturize and soften your skin, place a little shea butter in the palm of your hand, rub it between your fingers and apply directly to your skin, massaging gently. If you are on a diet or pregnant, use it daily to prevent stretch marks on your belly, breasts and thighs. It can also be used directly as a lip moisturizer and on your nails to keep them moisturized and stronger.

A tip for those who don’t have very dry skin is to add a little shea butter to your body moisturizer. Simply melt it in a bain-marie, never in the microwave, as the temperature rises too much and, as previously mentioned, it loses its properties.

To help treat acne, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist before starting a therapy with shea butter , as this inflammatory process generally causes the skin to become more sensitive.

Can you use shea butter directly on your hair?

For dry, weak or brittle hair, shea butter is an effective and completely natural revitalizer, providing shine, flexibility and softness, in addition to protecting it from solar radiation. The vitamin E present in shea butter has an antioxidant action, removing dead cells and also acting as a good emollient. Its moisturizing property helps in the absorption and retention of moisture, providing great hydration to the hair, as well as the skin.

Well-known in natural medicine, shea butter helps to soften the scalp due to its incredible healing and scarring power – it has long been used to treat dandruff and seborrhea. In addition, it has the power to increase circulation, i.e. it is a natural stimulant and this helps hair growth.

It is compatible with any type of hair (even dyed or chemically treated) and has a protective action at high temperatures, including when using hair dryers or straighteners. It can also be used to define hairstyles for men and women.

How to use shea butter on your hair?

Preparing a hair hydration mask with shea butter at home is extremely easy. Here are some suggestions for use:

Hair moisturizing

After washing your hair, remove excess water with a towel and apply shea butter , avoiding the roots and scalp. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then, simply rinse your hair with plenty of warm water.

Application on dry hair

Put some shea butter in your hands and spread it well. Rub it until it turns into an oil. Apply it to dry, unwashed hair, especially on the ends and driest strands.

There is no specific waiting time, you can leave it as long as you want, it will not cause any harm to your hair. Then wash as usual.

Natural ointment

Do as in the previous tip, spread it between your hands and rub well until the shea butter turns into oil. Then just apply it to the strands you want to style. If you are going to use it on your hair instead of silicone, remember to apply very little so as not to make it look heavy.

Night treatment

If you don’t have time to moisturize your hair, you can apply the butter to your hair before going to bed. However, it’s important to wash your hair in the morning, as shea butter can make your hair very oily.