Shea butter is a natural nourishing skin moisturizer, protector, and healer due to its high content in unsaponifiable fats, phytosterols (called karitesterols), alpha and beta amyrine (resin esters), parkeol (cicatrisation), lupeol (germicidal), butyrospermol (UV protection) and multiple vitamins (A, D, E and F). Chadian shea butter has the highest content of vitamin E among all shea butter across the African savanna (Cf. Maranz & Wiesman, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 2004). Vitamin E is a well known anti-oxidant often used to enrich skin products.
This fine natural product has been used for centuries in African countries boarding the Sahel savanna and stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia. Shea butter is extracted from the kernels of the fruits of Shea trees (Karite trees) known under the scientific name of Vitellaria paradoxa (formerly Butyrospermum parkii).
The labor intensive extraction process has been carried out by African women for many years as they have been using the butter for everyday ointments and skin healing, for treatment of burns and cuts. Shea oil is also used in those productive regions for cooking. Fishermen in some villages in the north-central African country of Chad have been reported to use Shea butter as a mosquito repellent by applying it on their body before they leave for work at night.
Currently, refined Shea butter is also used in Europe in the confectionery industry as a replacement for cocoa butter and in the formulation of some high end cosmetic product such as lotions, creams, shampoos and soaps. The cosmetic and skin care industry is facing a true positive revolution. |
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Good for the Whole Body
Shea butter can be used daily as an all-over body skin moisturizer and soother. |
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Anti-Aging Ingredients
Fights wrinkles because of the high amounts of vitamins E, A and C it contains, and its ability to stimulate collagen renewal and anti-elastase activity. |
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Fight Scarring
Eliminates stretch marks and scars, and also helps heal burns. |
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Protection From Weather
The fatty acids, vitamins and cinnamic acid in shea butter protects from harmful sun rays, and also relieves sunburn; protects from cold, wind, heat and salt water. |
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Healing Properties
Shea butter can heal superficial abrasions, skin allergies, eczema, dermatitis, insect bites and frostbite. |
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Beautifying your Feet
Massaging your feet with shea butter once a day softens and rejuvenates them. |
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Good for the Scalp
Shea butter can soothe your scalp if its dry or irritated from chemical processing. |
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