Shea Butter: Nature’s own Anti-ageing Skincare Ingredient

Human skin is amazing. Day after day we treat it roughly, expose it to harsh weather, and even allow it to come into contact with harmful chemicals, yet it continually heals and renews itself. But as the years go by, the rate at which new skin cells are formed slows down. Skin becomes thinner, less resilient, and begins to show its age.

There are lots of skincare products on the market that promise to keep skin youthful, but have you looked closely at their lists of ingredients? Some of them read like the contents of a chemistry laboratory.

A truly natural ingredient
If you prefer to treat your skin with 100% natural ingredients, Shea Butter is definitely one you should consider. This creamy, oil-rich substance is obtained from the nut-like seeds of a tree that grows wild in the Savannah belt of Africa. Because the trees are not cultivated in large plantations (although they are protected by the women who use them as a source of income) their fruits and seeds are organic and they have no adverse effects on their environment.

Furthermore, if you want to be sure of using the best quality Shea Butter, with no risk of it containing chemical residues, always choose Unrefined Shea Butter that has been carefully extracted using traditional, environmentally-friendly methods. Few other skincare ingredients can claim to be so natural!

Can Shea Butter compete with the latest anti-ageing miracle creams?
It’s natural, but does it work? Nothing can stop us getting older, but keeping skin moisturised, nourished and protected is the best way to minimize the effects of time. Scientific analysis shows that Unrefined Shea Butter has a unique blend of essential fatty acids, vitamins (including A and E), and antioxidants that all actively promote healthy skin. It also contains lupeol, which inhibits enzymes that can damage skin proteins, and cinnamic acid, which acts as a mild sunscreen.

Shea Butter can be used from scalp to toes, is safe on fragile or sensitive skin, and is especially useful in treating these tell-tale signs of ageing skin:

Dryness
Less sebum is produced as skin ages. Without the protection of this natural oil, moisture is lost from the skin more easily and it can quickly become dehydrated. Shea Butter is an excellent moisturiser. Its light texture allows it to sink easily into the skin leaving it soft and smooth.

Fine lines and wrinkles
Lines and wrinkles form as the production of collagen and elastin in the skin slows down leaving it weaker and less supple. At the same time, the supporting layer of fat beneath the skin becomes thinner allowing skin to sag. Unrefined Shea butter has been proven to stimulate skin cell regeneration and improve the skin’s elasticity, while its moisturising action helps to keep skin plump.

Slow healing
Cuts, grazes and bruises on mature skin tend to take longer to heal than those on young skin, but Shea Butter’s anti-inflammatory properties support the skin’s natural healing systems. It also soothes soreness and calms irritated or itchy skin.

Using natural Unrefined Shea Butter won’t turn back the clock, but it will keep your skin looking and feeling wonderful: whatever your age!

How to Heal Bruises: Naturally

Everyone has bruises from time to time, and people who do a lot of manual work or take part in contact sports such as martial arts or rugby are obviously more at risk than others. They occur when a blow damages the tiny blood vessels in the lower layers of the skin. This allows blood to seep out into the surrounding tissue where it can be seen as the familiar dark mark of a bruise.

For healthy people, the vast majority of bruises give no cause for concern. If left alone they will gradually fade away over two or three weeks as the body’s own defences repair the damage. But they can be painful in the early stages, and if they are on your face or another visible part of your body you might want to try to speed up the healing process.

Natural Healing for Bruises

The most effective home treatments are the simple ones that use natural ingredients.

Cool the skin: The first thing to do is to cool the skin. The sooner you do this after receiving a blow that might result in bruising, the better. Cooling reduces the blood supply to the area and so limits the amount of bleeding. A commercial ice pack used for sports injuries is ideal, or improvise one by putting ice cubes in a plastic bag and then wrap it in a clean cloth. Never put ice directly on the skin as it can cause a freeze burn. If ice is not available use a face cloth or towel rinsed in cold water.

Apply the cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes, remove for the same length of time, then repeat. This won’t always prevent a bruise forming, but it will minimize its spread.

Natural remedy to promote healing: After cooling, you can use a natural plant-based remedy to promote healing. A number of herbs including arnica, calendula, parsley, St John’s wort and comfrey are all useful for treating bruises. If you have the fresh herbs they can be crushed and applied directly to the skin, but it is probably easier to use a cream or gel containing extracts of the same herbs.

Shea Butter: One of the Best Natural Healers for Bruises

One of the best natural ingredients to use on bruises is Shea Butter. In the West, Shea Butter is mostly known as an excellent skin moisturiser, but in its native Africa it has also been valued for centuries for its soothing and healing properties. The creamy butter, extracted from the nut-like seeds of the Shea or Karite tree, contains a range of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that aid healing and stimulate skin cell regeneration. Its light texture enables it to sink easily into tender skin without rubbing, and it is safe to use on all skin types including the most delicate or sensitive.

If a bruise does not fade in the normal way, or bruises appear for no apparent reason, you should consult a doctor in case they are symptoms of a medical condition. But for fast treatment of everyday bruises always keep some Shea Butter handy at home, in the workplace, or in your sports bag.