We all know the benefits of coconut oil. But we know less about the virtues of shea butter.
Still, it's an amazing natural moisturizer for skin and hair.
Its rich consistency is ideal for making a cream, lip balm or body butter.
It penetrates the skin deeply and contains 60% fat, which makes it an excellent moisturizer.
But it's not just for that! Shea Butter brings essential, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging fatty acids directly to the skin.
- Moisturizes the skin: its concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for the skin. It is often used to protect the skin and combat dry skin.
- Reduces inflammation: its richness in cinnamic acid makes it a very good anti-inflammatory. One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, has the power to reduce skin inflammation and even prevent skin problems, like acne.
- Smoothes the skin: shea promotes the natural production of collagen in the skin and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids which protect and nourish the skin in depth and thus prevent dryness. By using it daily, it reduces wrinkles, softens the skin, and strengthens it. And the great thing is that it is suitable for everyone, even babies.
1. Deeply hydrates the skin: use shea butter to moisturize the face and body naturally and deeply.
2. Repairs chapped lips: make your own shea butter lip balm. It's easy, cheap and 100% natural. Discover the recipe here.
3. Nourishes the skin in after-sun: after sun exposure, moisturize and soothe your skin with shea butter.
4. Prevents and reduces stretch marks: shea butter prevents the formation of stretch marks. Very useful during and after pregnancy!
5. Nourishes the cuticles: use shea butter to nourish your cuticles and have beautiful nails all year round.
6. Reduces wrinkles and dark circles: shea butter is the best ally against wrinkles and bags under the eyes. It is also an essential ingredient for making your homemade anti-wrinkle cream. Discover the recipe here.
7. As a massage butter: need a good massage? Think of shea butter to relax and at the same time moisturize the skin of your body.
8. Reduces hair frizz: want to tame your frizz? Put some shea butter in your hair with your fingers after heating it slightly in a bain-marie.
9. Relieves irritated skin: Is the skin around your nose irritated from a bad cold? Use shea butter to moisturize and heal it quickly.
10. Accelerates healing: put on shea butter to reduce scars and naturally promote the production of collagen in your skin.
11. As a deodorant: shea butter is perfect for making a homemade deodorant. Discover the recipe here in n°8.
12. As sunscreen: to make your own homemade sunscreen, you can also add shea butter to the ingredients. Discover the recipe here.
13. As shaving foam: ideal in a homemade shaving cream to care for and soothe the skin before and during shaving. Discover the recipe here.
14. As a base for a lipstick: Tired of expensive cosmetics, stuffed with harmful products and tested on animals? Here's a great DIY lipstick recipe.
15. Makes makeup last longer: put some shea butter on your eyelids before applying makeup to make your makeup last longer.
16. Improves skin elasticity: well hydrated in depth, the skin becomes more elastic. It is effective against wrinkles and even cellulite.
17. Nourishes hair: shea butter deeply nourishes dry and damaged hair. Heat it in a bain-marie and apply on the scalp.
18. Gives volume to the hair: if you want to give volume to your hair, you can also apply shea butter to your hair after heating it slightly in a bain-marie.
The quality of shea butter varies enormously between manufacturers. Do not hesitate to test it before buying it.
It must be of good quality to retain its essential element:cinnamic acid (less present in lower quality brands).
I only use raw, unrefined and unbleached shea butter. Some butters are refined, odorless and bleached to be completely white, but the refining process removes some of its properties.
I find some in organic stores or on the internet, like this super pure and unrefined organic shea butter.
If there are any nut particles left in your shea butter, gently melt it and strain it through a paper filter. Then, put the butter in small jars that you can take everywhere.
Store shea butter away from light or heat. It can go rancid after 18 to 24 months, but since we use it every day, it doesn't last that long!
Before using shea butter, ask your doctor or dermatologist, especially if you have skin problems or are allergic to nuts.
Have you tested the benefits of shea butter on a daily basis? Let us know in the comments if it worked for you. We can't wait to read you!
