Shea Butter - One Product Many Different Uses

There’s no doubt that natural African shea butter is one of the finest skincare ingredients available. Not only is it an excellent moisturiser suitable for all skin types, but it is also renowned for its healing properties and the soothing effect it has on irritated or sore skin.

If you want to try skincare products containing shea butter there are plenty on the market – perhaps too many! How can you be sure of choosing just one or two shea butter products that are best suited to your particular needs from all those on offer?

The most important thing is to check what sort of shea butter has been used in the product, and how much. Always look for generous amounts of pure, unrefined shea butter from East Africa, as this is the most beneficial type for skincare. It will have been produced using traditional methods that preserve as much as possible of the shea butter’s natural active ingredients. Refined shea butter, extracted by industrial processes, is more plentiful and cheaper, but of poorer quality.

The next thing to remember is that unrefined shea butter is very versatile. A product in which the shea butter has been blended with other natural plant based ingredients to improve its performance in one aspect of skincare, can often be just as effective when used for a different purpose. Here are a few examples of how this can work:

Acne

Many acne sufferers notice an improvement in their condition when using shea butter. It has natural antiseptic properties to fight bacteria, it moisturises without leaving a greasy feel or clogging pores, and its anti-inflammatory agents calm itchiness. If you are prone to acne reject any shea butter face cream that contains artificial additives that might further irritate your skin. But do look for natural additives such as jojoba oil and rosehip essential oil that have been proven to be helpful in treating acne.

When you find a face cream that works for you it can, of course, be used on the back or chest if these areas are also affected by acne. And you can still use it when your acne clears because shea butter is perfect for maintaining healthy, unblemished skin.

Tired feet

If you stand or walk for much of the day you will know all about tired, aching feet. For blissful relief gently massage with a shea butter foot cream that contains peppermint or spearmint essential oils. The shea butter will moisturise and soften hard skin while the mint cools and refreshes.

If you love the feel and scent of your foot cream you don’t have to confine its use to below the ankle. Try it on rough knees and elbows, or any other part that needs a little TLC.

Dry, coarse hands

The skin on busy hands takes a lot of punishment. Constant exposure to the elements, frequent washing, and contact with all sorts of potentially harmful substances soon take their toll. A shea butter cream carefully formulated to care for hands can work wonders by restoring lost moisture and improving the smoothness and elasticity of the skin. It’s also good for treating dry, brittle nails. And when you see the difference shea butter hand cream makes, using it for the rest of your body is the obvious next step!

If you want all of the many benefits of 100% natural shea butter without buying a whole range of skincare products, save money by buying a few favourites and find out how many different ways you can use them.

How Shea Butter can be used by the Whole Family

Once you’ve discovered the many benefits of shea butter you’ll want to share the good news, and the best place to start is within your own family. Pure, unrefined shea butter is gentle enough to use on the youngest baby, yet powerful enough to soften and smooth the toughest of adult skins. Even people with problem skin that reacts badly to other skincare products will appreciate the soothing and healing properties of shea butter.

For Her

Used on its own, or combined with other natural plant based ingredients, shea butter can be used for all routine skin care: cleansing, moisturising and protecting from head to toe. Its unique composition, which includes fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, keeps all types of skin supple and healthy, without the need for any artificial additives.

Expectant and new mothers can use shea butter to minimize the appearance of stretch marks, and women of all ages will be delighted to notice the anti-ageing properties of pure shea butter.

Shea butter is also the first thing any woman should reach for when she feels in need of a little extra pampering. Tired feet and hardworking hands will quickly regain lost moisture and become beautifully smooth again. For skin that smells as good as it looks and feels choose a shea butter body or hand cream blended with fragrant essential oils.

For Him

The men in your life might not want to try floral scented shea butter creams, but give them natural, unscented shea butter, or some of the shea butter products specially designed for men, and they’ll soon become fans. Shea butter can be used to make shaving more comfortable, to soothe sun or wind burn, and to ease aches and pains when massaged into tired muscles. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also be helpful in the treatment of sore and itchy skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.

For Kids

Unrefined shea butter, which has been carefully produced without the use of chemicals, is safe enough to use on even the delicate skin of newborn babies. And when your little one is running around – and falling over – a dab of pure shea butter is all you need to treat minor grazes, bruises, insect bites and rashes. It sinks quickly into a child’s skin calming any irritation and promoting speedy healing.

Older children can apply pure shea butter themselves wherever there’s dry, itchy or damaged skin. You’re never too young to get into the shea butter habit!