7 ways in which shea butter helps nourish and protect the skin

Shea butter is a fat extracted from shea nuts (Parroxy of Vitellaria), originally from sub -Saharan Africa. The extracts from this plant are rich in vitamins E and A and other compounds that help hydrate and protect the skin.

Jump at the main dishes to remember.

1. Hydrates dry skin

Shea butter is an emollient, which means it hydrates the skin. Fat acids in shea butter absorb in the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis, forming the skin barrier) and helps restore lipids (healthy fats under the epidermis), preventing the evaporation of water.

Shea butter also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that support the skin barrier. Apply shea butter moisturizers after washing to prevent dry skin and manage the associated symptoms.

2. fight the effects of aging

Shea butter contains antioxidants, compounds that neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules in the body that decompose and damage skin cells).

Shea butter also stimulates collagen, a protein that supports skin structure and protects it from the sun.

These qualities can help fight the effects of skin aging. Although more work is necessary, several clinical trials have regularly found regular use to reduce photaging – a sunshine that can cause visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and crow’s feet.

3. Treats eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) causes fiery, dry, scaly and itching skin pushes. Regular application of shea butter can help reduce the symptoms of this chronic inflammatory disease.

In a study of people with eczema, researchers found that four weeks of daily application considerably reduced itching and other symptoms in around 75% of participants. They found that shea butter was as effective as ceramide moisturizers often used for eczema.

4. Help with burns

Shea butter has long been a traditional treatment in sub -Saharan Africa to promote the healing of wounds.

A study on patients in burned units needing conservative treatment compared shea butter to standard treatments for first degree burns, such as sunburns. They found that an ointment with vegetable oils (for example, shea butter) caused faster healing and lower levels of pain than standard therapies.

The researchers attributed this to the anti-inflammatory effect of Shea Butter and the ability to help keep humidity.

5. Helps manage scar tissue

In addition to the potential advantages in the treatment of injuries, shea butter can also help soften chéloid scars. In clinical crop tests (samples of cheloid scar tissue), shea butter has reduced the amount of chéloid fibroblasts or scar cells. This research suggests that shea butter can help soften this fabric and reduce the size of scars, although more research is necessary to confirm this effect.

6. Protects against ultraviolet rays

Shea butter is not effective as a sunscreen, but it absorbs some of the B (UVB) ultraviolet rays of the sun, which damages the skin and increases the risk of cancer. It also makes other ingredients of sunscreen more effective. In a study, formulations including shea butter increased the Product Sun Protection Factor (SPF) (how the product protects the skin from the sun) by 35%.

In addition to helping to filter UVB rays, shea butter can help prevent long-term sun damage, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to stimulate cell growth.

7. Anti-acne effect

Some research suggests that shea butter has antibacterial properties that can prevent acne. It can also help reduce inflammation and support the natural skin barrier.

However, shea butter should be part of a wider skin care routine for acne, and evidence of its use are mixed.

Despite its potential advantages, shea butter oils can obstruct pores, leading to acne. When you are considering shea butter options, search for “unresolved” labeled products, which means little likely to plug pores.

Secondary effects and considerations

The side effects of the use of shea butter are rare. However, although it does not trigger allergies itself, the latex used in certain shea butter products can cause allergenic symptoms, such as:

• Urticaria
• Itch
• Rash
• Scaly skin
• Heat

If you plan to add shea butter to your skin care routine, test it first: apply it on a small skin of skin and wait 24 to 72 hours to see how your skin reacts.

How to use shea butter on the skin

Shea butter is available in the form of cream or raw and unrefined shapes. You can use it as a moisturizer throughout the day, as it can cause fat, many opt to use it as part of their skin routine.

Here’s how to get the most out of shea butter:

• Step 1:: Apply shea butter and other moisturizers after the bath or washing of your face; Type the skin dry rather than rub it.
• Step 2: Using your fingers, apply a beautiful layer of shea butter to the skin. The raw and unrefined forms are easy to work, spreading with a little pressure. Be soft with the skin of the face, using your Pinkie to reach the skin around the eyes.
• Step 3:: Apply other moisturizers and use sunscreen to protect your skin.
• Step 4:: Make sure that shea butter is completely absorbed by the skin before applying makeup or mascara. Oil can affect the way they take place.

Who should avoid using shea butter for the skin?

According to the panel of experts for the safety of cosmetic ingredients, an independent non -profit organization, shea butter is safe for infants, children and adults; It is not reported to irritate the skin and there are no recorded allergies.

Certain types of shea butter, generally unrefined or raw, may contain latex, which can cause symptoms in those who are allergic. Read labels to learn what is in your products, as other ingredients can cause side effects.

As with any skin care product, it depends a lot on the individual case; The way the skin reacts to shea butter varies.

How to choose the best

There are a range of shea butter products on the market, and they can vary in quality. Generally, shea butter is presented in the following two forms:

• Refined (which has undergone more treatment)
• Unrefined (raw)

Refined shea butters have fewer anti-inflammatory compounds and skin advantages than unrefined options.

On the labels, you can find a classification system for shea butter, assessing the quality of the product according to the standards established by the American Shea Butter Institute, a non -profit biotechnological organization aimed at advancing the use of shea butter ingredients in new products. Here is a ventilation:

• Grade a:: This type contains the highest levels of healthy compounds, has succeeded in security detection and is sure to be used for more than a year.
• Grade b:: Grade B shea butter has a moderate level of nutrients and healthy compounds, goes from safety controls and has a shelf life (how long it can be stored and used in complete safety) for one or more years.
• Grade c:: This type remains stable for more than a year, is assessed for use and has low levels of active compounds.
• Grade d:: Grade shea butter has a shelf life of less than one year, limiting its therapeutic potential.
• Of grade f:: This type does not go from safety tests and can contain ingredients harmful to health; It is unfit for use.

When choosing shea butter, it is important to consider how it is harvested. The best countries cultivating the Karite tree from which shea butter is derived are in West Africa and in the South, notably in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Togo.

As for coffee, there are options of fair shea butter. The brands have appointed “fair trade” work with local farmers to ensure that they are paid fair and fair prices for their products.

Main to remember

• Shea butter is rich in antioxidants, which contributes to reducing inflammation and stimulating the growth of the new skin cell.
• It is an effective moisturizer and can fight the effects of aging, treat eczema and help soften scar tissue.
• Side effects or side effects are rare, although shea butter with latex can trigger allergic reactions.