Shea butter has been used since time immemorial, for its fantastic ability to reinvigorate skin, by moistening and soothing rough patches, removing dark spots, delaying ageing, reducing acne and preventing suntans. In fact, in ancient Egypt, shea butter is known to have been delivered in large clay jars, for frequent use by Queen Cleopatra and is considered the secret behind her breathtaking beauty.
Shea butter is essentially the fat derived from the nut of the shea tree, which is native to the warmer regions of Africa. Scientifically known as Vitellaria paradoxa, shea butter is a creamy solid at room temperature, with an appealing ivory colour. The effortless manner in which this nut butter can be spread makes it an ideal constituent in cosmetic and skincare products that can remarkably condition dull and lifeless skin. Also Read: 5 Superb Advantages Of Toners For Smooth, Sparkling Skin
Containing profuse amounts of skin-fortifying components, shea butter significantly fosters skin health. The abundance of beneficial fatty acids like oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic acids, besides useful elements such as vitamin E, vitamin A and antioxidants make shea butter a top skincare ingredient for people of all ages and with any skin type, be it dry, oily, normal, sensitive or a combination.
Read on, to discover the myriad means by which you can incorporate shea butter-based products in your daily skincare routine, to attain radiant, blemish-free, velvety-soft skin.
5 Proven Ways In Which Shea Butter Revitalises Skin Health:
Moisturises And Softens Skin
Shea butter possesses the amazing quality of sealing in moisture, to intensely hydrate the skin and restore vivacity to lacklustre skin tissues. Using a shea butter moisturiser daily vastly improves skin texture, by maintaining the humidity barrier between skin and the external environment, without making the former appear too oily.
Confers Anti-Ageing Benefits
Imbued with the goodness of potent antioxidants, shea butter regenerates new healthy skin cells and diminishes signs of premature ageing, wrinkles and fine lines. Applying a generous layer of shea butter lotions and creams before bedtime helps in minimizing the visibility of stretch marks and sagging, as night time is when skin cells undergo healing processes. Also Read: 5 Ways To Build Basic Beauty Regimen For Aging Skin
Combats Microbial Infections
Shea butter is prized for its rich fatty acid content and powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. These work in synergy, to reduce acne, pimples besides controlling sebum production and defending skin against infection-triggering microbes. Washing the face, hands and body with a foaming cleanser, soap, hand wash or body wash containing shea butter prevents skin ailments.
Offers Sun Protection
Naturally bestowed with UV-protective factors, including an SPF of 5, concentrated triterpene esters, cinnamic acid, phytosterols and hydrocarbons, shea butter serves as a perfect inclusion to sunscreen lotions. Rubbing on some shea butter body milk, cream or moisturiser before stepping out in the blazing heat aids in shielding skin from redness, tanning and sunburns.
Boosts Collagen Synthesis
Collagen is the key protein that provides structure to skin, assisting in maintaining an even complexion and a dynamic elasticity. Shea butter retains the strength of collagen fibers in deeper layers of skin. Massaging the face and body with an ample amount of anti-ageing cream infused with shea butter extracts prominently makes skin smooth, supple and luminous.
Benefits Of Shea Butter-Based Products for Hair
Cures Flaky Scalp
Principal fatty acids such as palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids in shea butter-based products have been proven beneficial for flaky and irritated scalps. Imbued with anti-inflammatory properties, these components can reduce dryness and treat potential scalp damage besides adding moisture and shine to your manes.
Strengthens Hair Follicles
Essential fatty acids in shea butter provide essential nutrients that can improve the overall health of the scalp as well as hair. This, in turn, strengthens the hair follicles, and hair strands and reduces breakage reduces mild to severe hair loss, and makes tresses grow thicker and voluminous.
Treats Breakage
Shea butter products have regenerative effects on the hair that works great for revitalizing brittle hair. With a significant amount of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, Shea butter application can soothe dry hair and treat split ends. Being non-greasy in nature, it helps to control excess oil in the scalp, treats brittle hair, and provides you with silky, and luscious tresses in the long run.
Here are two easy-peasy beauty hacks with shea butter, so you can flaunt vibrant velvety-soft skin, sans wrinkles and blemishes.
Shea Butter And Rose Water Face Moisturiser
Ingredients:
5 tbsp shea butter
½ cup rose water
3 drops tea tree essential oil
Method:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
After cleansing the face and drying with a clean towel, smear on a thin, even layer of the creamy moisturiser.
Store the remainder shea butter and rosewater moisturiser in an airtight container and use for up to one week.
How It Works:
Imbued with outstanding emollient properties, as well as ample vitamin E and organic fatty acids, shea butter infuses hydration to dull, parched skin. Rosewater is touted for its conditioning traits and effectively tones sensitive skin, balancing skin pH for a radiant look. Packed with antimicrobial agents, tea tree oil works wonders in instantly diminishing acne, scars, and dark spots, to reveal flawless, glowing skin.
Shea Butter And Geranium Oil Body Wash
Ingredients:
1 cup shea butter
7 drops geranium essential oil
A few neem leaves
Method:
Mash the neem leaves into a paste, then combine with shea butter and geranium essential oil in a vessel.
After soaking the body in lukewarm water in the shower, lather on the foaming body wash and scrub all portions of skin gently.
Wash off the shea butter and geranium oil body wash with cold water and pat dry.
How It Works:
Shea butter is famed for its purifying abilities, being laden with antioxidants and phytonutrients that flush out dirt, and toxins from the skin on the body, imparting a crystal clear appearance. Rich in antibacterial, antifungal compounds like geraniol, citronellol, geranium essential oil is a proven remedy for healing a host of skin infections like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, thereby bestowing an even complexion. Neem leaves possess a treasure trove of anti-inflammatory elements, to pacify irritation, swelling and redness in the skin.
