The 'Tree of Life' is a popular nickname given to the Shea tree because of its ability to address numerous health, hair, and skin conditions.
Shea (pronounced shay) butter is also known as "Mother Nature's Conditioner" for its exceptional softening and moisturizing properties.
Shea butter is a fat that is derived from shea nuts of the shea tree. It's a natural fat that you extract by crushing and boiling the shea tree's ripe nut or fruit. It's a yellow-ivory colour, buttery, thick, and solid substance at room temperature.
Traditionally, shea butter was used for medicinal and cooking purposes in Africa. The making of shea butter is an indigenous craft of many African tribes.
Shea is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins, making it perfect for collagen production and UV protection. Its buttery texture contains 60% fat, which makes it ideal for penetrating the skin. Plus, the natural moisturizers in shea butter are analogous to the sebaceous glands of our skin extract. All this together makes shea a moisturizing miracle for your skin.
Shea butter has proven time over time to be one of the best natural emollients, but that’s likely because it has the most research. According to a 2010 study classified shea butter as an anti-inflammatory. Rich in fatty acids, the butter from the shea nut increases collagen production, strengthens and improves skin elasticity. This is going to be a go-to butter for removing scars, cellulite, and diminishing the appearance of stretch marks, if you so desire.
You Can Use Shea Butter To Treat Various Skin-Related Conditions Like:
· -A rash
· -Peeling after exposure to the sun
· -Itching
· -Wrinkles and blemishes
· -Sunburn
· -Cracks on the skin
· -Minor wounds
· -Irritation and bumps due to a razor
· -Stretch marks
Side Effects of Shea Butter
While shea butter is generally safe to use, those who have a nut allergy should be careful. There’s a possibility of experiencing adverse reactions as shea butter is derived from the nuts of the shea tree.
Typically, topical shea butter allergies are rare. You can give it a whirl if you are willing to, if not, apply a tiny amount on a small patch of skin and check to see if there’s a reaction. If your skin reacts, it’s best to use alternative butter products available for your skin care.
