The natural product is often referred to as “the white gold of Africa” and is obtained from the shea tree (also called shea tree). It has enormous healing power against various skin problems and for this very reason it is one of the basic ingredients in many cosmetic products. No matter whether for the skin, the hair or even the lips – it is a real all-rounder. Due to its numerous benefits and healthy ingredients, shea butter has gained enormous popularity in recent years. Are you curious? Then read on and find out what's behind the miracle cure!
What exactly is shea butter and what are its main ingredients?
Shea butter is a real superfood for our skin and is made from the fruitKaritébaums won in Africa. That's why it's also called shea butter. It is characterized by a yellowish-white color and a creamy consistency. The mild, natural scent, which is sometimes even a little reminiscent of chocolate, is also typical. To obtain the fat, the shea nuts are chopped up, mixed with lukewarm water and then kneaded by hand to form a brown paste. The fat that separates gradually settles on the surface and can then be skimmed off. Another special feature that makes the unrefined version so valuable is the high concentration of the so-called unsaponifiable components. This means that these molecules are not dissolved by contact with the water, but rather “saponified”.
Unrefined shea butter has a high content of many valuable ingredients, including oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, allantoin and vitamins A and E.
- The oleic acidis a fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils and is known for its moisturizing properties. It spreads easily and leaves the skin feeling soft.
- Stearic acidhas good gliding properties and protects the skin from external influences. It is often used pure as a consistency agent in various creams and is used in soap making to make the soap solid and to stabilize its foam.
- Linoleic acidis particularly recommended for dry, sensitive and irritated skin. It provides a lot of moisture and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It also helps with acne, pimples and many other skin diseases. It is also said to have a good anti-aging effect and help against hyperpigmentation.
- Allantoinhas wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It regenerates skin cells and treats wounds and skin irritations. It is often added to various skin creams.
- Among other things, the climate also plays a very important role in the quality of the shea butter. For example, trees located in cold areas contain much less vitamin E than those in dry and hot areas.
Not every variety is the same!
The miracle cure can do howmost vegetable oilsbe refined or unrefined. The unrefined form is of course considered more effective and is characterized by a yellowish-white color with a slight green shimmer. Because it is manually extracted, it retains its vitamins, minerals and natural ingredients. It is also absorbed into the skin more quickly and does not leave a greasy film behind. The refined shea butter is further chemically processed, which unfortunately means that most of its good properties are lost. Cinnamic acid is also one of the most important ingredients and is hardly present in the inferior and cheap brands. The American Shea Butter Institute has issued classifications for the different quality levels (from A to F), with grade A being considered the best.
How should you best store it?
It is best to store unrefined shea butter in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It is also recommended to use the product within 18 months of extraction from the seeds as the beneficial properties may diminish over time.
What benefits does the natural product offer for the skin?
- It moisturizes the skinand makes them particularly soft and supple again without clogging the pores. Dehydrated and dry skin becomes rough and flaky and sometimes the skin can even crack. Thanks to the valuable ingredients, Shea Butter has a protective and nourishing effect at the same time. It is suitable for the face, feet and hands.
- It has extensive anti-inflammatory and healing properties –The high concentration of healthy fatty acids helps the skin regenerate faster. You can easily treat sunburn or various redness, rashes and swelling on the face with it. However, since it takes longer for it to be completely absorbed, it is best to apply it as a night cream before going to bed.
- Anti Aging Effekt –However, the natural product is not a miracle cure for skin aging, although the small wrinkles can be reduced with regular use. Over time, the skin loses its elasticity and ability to retain moisture, which leads to annoying wrinkles. The white gold of Africa stimulates the production of collagen and is rich in antioxidants. The beta-carotene and vitamin E it contains protect the skin from free radicals and this delays the formation of new wrinkles.
- Treat acne with shea butter –Linoleic acid has an anti-inflammatory effect and can reduce the formation of acne. In this case, we recommend that you apply the oil a little thinner so that it doesn't weigh your skin down too much. It is best to apply to damp skin because it is absorbed better and faster this way.
- Use as sun protection –It has been proven that the miracle cure has a sun protection factor of 6. This may not replace your usual sunscreen in the summer, but it's more than enough for a quick walk outside when the sun is hidden.
- Treat skin irritation and wounds after shaving –Sometimes shaving can cause various skin irritations or itching. The natural product moisturizes your skin and in this way the affected areas heal much faster than usual.
- Helps in the fight against stretch marks and cellulite –The African miracle cure restores the skin's natural elasticity and promotes the production of collagen. That's why it is often used as a basis for variousOintments or creams for stretch marksand orange peel used. However, you don't necessarily need expensive products - a daily massage at home with an unrefined version of the product is sufficient.
- It offers the perfect lip care –This is the perfect solution for anyone suffering from dry and chapped lips during the cold months. The vitamins A and E it contains and the moisturizing properties also form a protective film against the wind.
- Winter hand cream recipe:Put 1 teaspoon each of shea butter, almond oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter in a bowl and melt in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well and apply to your hands.
For healthy and shiny hair
Which woman doesn't want strong and shiny hair? After all the benefits that miracle butter has for the skin, it's no wonder that it also helps with brittle and weak hair.
- Nourishing hair mask –Shea butter moisturizes your hair and gives it excellent shine. Therefore, it is perfect for a simple and natural hair mask. It is best to use it overnight. To do this, simply massage your hair thoroughly with around 2 tablespoons of it, wrap it with a towel and rinse it out as normal with lukewarm water the next day. Don't want to leave it on your head for so long? A 20 or 30 minute exposure time also brings surprisingly good results.
- Against hair loss –The many healthy fatty acids and their anti-inflammatory properties nourish the scalp, strengthen the hair follicles and thus reduce hair loss.
- Taming flyaway hair –The miracle cure can also be integrated into your daily hair care routine as a leave-in. To do this, rub a small amount between your fingers and distribute it through the ends of your hair. Since it absorbs very slowly, people with fine hair shouldn't overdo it - otherwise it will look greasy.
The miracle cure helps with various health problems
In addition to being an excellent moisturizer or hair conditioner, Shea Butter is also used to treat various diseases.
- rheumatismis often characterized by joint pain, inflammation and stiffness. The anti-inflammatory properties and regular use significantly reduce pain. You also pamper the joint with a massage when you apply cream, which also has a good effect.
- It makes the scars disappear –Thanks to the ingredients, the white gold ensures that the color of the scars matches the skin.
- Nasal congestion and nasal inflammation –Next time you suffer from nasal congestion, just put a little of this into your nose. It may sound strange, but nasal congestion is nothing more than inflammation and you already know about the anti-inflammatory properties of this natural all-rounder.
- Due to its high vitamin A content and antimicrobial properties, it also helpsinsect bites.
A healthier alternative to olive and coconut oil when cooking?
Healthy fats, anti-inflammatory ingredients and antioxidants – all of this makes shea butter an excellent alternative to regular butter or even coconut and olive oil. It is simply heated in a pan or skillet. It may take a few days to get used to the sweet, nutty taste, but it's definitely worth a try. For example, you can use it to prepare heavenly delicious oriental dishes or various desserts. We also recommend that you use the unrefined version for use in the kitchen - this is the only way you can really benefit from the many advantages.
