Learn How to Use Shea Butter for Your Face
Shea butter has been used for centuries to moisturize and protect the skin, making it a popular choice for natural skincare. In addition to its emollient properties, shea butter contains other nutrients that make it beneficial for the skin, such as Vitamins A and E.
As you look for more green, eco-friendly products and ingredients, you’ll probably come across shea butter. Used in all sorts of cosmetics, from lip balm to anti-aging creams, shea butter is a multi-purpose ingredient full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. We’ll talk about what shea butter is, where it comes from, how beneficial it is for your skin its usage in your everyday life.
What exactly is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is created from the fat found in African karite tree seeds. The process begins with cracking open the seed to extract a waxy substance, which is then refined into shea butter.
The Karite tree is native to western Africa, and the majority of shea butter production in the world still takes place in that region. Most of the shea butter trees in this region are also owned by women, which provides them with the opportunity to earn income independently.
Safety
Shea butter is non-toxic and usually well-received by all skin types. In reality, even users with a severe nut allergy only rarely react to the use of shea butter, so it is not seen as dangerous to people with nut allergies.
Shea butter is one of the safest things you can put on your skin, with an Environmental Working Group (EWG) rating of 1. In fact, there have been ZERO reported cases of allergic reaction to shea butter. That being said, the purest and most effective shea butter is unrefined and organic. Unrefined organic shea butter contains natural fats, oils, and waxes that amount up to 8%. These ingredients work together to moisturize and condition your skin like no other product can.
Raw shea butter contains more than 99% of natural emollients, making it far superior to refined (or processed) shea butter.
Reasons to Add Shea Butter to your Routine
Shea butter is not only packed with hydrating ingredients like linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids, but it can also create a barrier on your skin to seal in moisture and protect you from environmental aggressors. Plus, shea butter can be used on your hair! But for now let’s focus specifically on its benefits for skin.
Moisturizing
Shea butter is not only an excellent moisturizer but also a fantastic way to reduce dry skin. By creating a barrier, shea butter prevents your skin from drying out and losing moisture. The natural oils in shea butter help to improve the texture of your skin while restoring its moisture balance.
Reparative
Shea butter not only has the ability to heal your skin, but it also works with your skin’s natural cellular repair system. If you have sensitive or easily irritated skin, shea butter can help restore its balance and soothe any discomfort. The majority of our skin’s healing process happens while we sleep, making shea butter applied at night especially beneficial.
Anti-Aging
If you want an all-natural anti-aging solution, shea butter is a great choice. So many anti-aging products contain harsh chemicals that can strip skin of moisture and cause peeling and irritation. Shea butter is gentle enough for any skin type and actually adds hydration to the skin, which is vital for aging-skinned individuals.
Shea butter has high terpene and antioxidant content, which helps to slow cellular degeneration. As we age, our skin cells reproduce more slowly. This can cause problems such as fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin that has lost its firmness, or a lackluster appearance with a dull complexion. The naturally occurring compounds in shea butter support healthy skin cell reproduction though, keeping us looking young and fresh!
Antioxidant
Shea butter contains antioxidants, which are key in fighting off free radicals. Free radicals damage skin cells and cause premature aging. Antioxidants help to protect the skin from environmental damage caused by exposure to UV rays, smog, smoke, and cigarette smoke.
Blemish Control
If you have skin that is prone to breakouts, shea butter may help balance out your skin’s natural moisture level. With regular use, shea butter can result in less blemishes by hydrating dry patches and reducing oily ones.
Ways To Use Shea Butter
Although you can use shea butter every day, it’s best to start with a small amount and gradually increase usage as needed. You can also look for skincare products that contain shea butter among their ingredients. Because raw shea butter is a powerful ingredient, using less of it is often more effective.
As a Moisturizer
As previously mentioned, shea butter is an excellent moisturizer but you may want to use a product that contains it rather than applying pure shea butter directly on your skin every day. A Lip and Skin Balm is a rich blend of all-natural oils and shea butter to help soften and condition the skin, making it ideal for daily use.
This balm is perfect for adding a touch of hydration to the lips, eye area, laugh lines, and cuticles. It helps to nourish and hydrate the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and soothing dry patches.
In Cosmetics
Shea butter is used often in color cosmetics, specifically lip care items like glosses and lipsticks. Its easy properties allow it to spread well, making it ideal for products that need to cover a large area. Many people choose shea butter for their lipstick because it can be drying; the addition of shea butter helps keep these kinds of products moisturizing and healthy-looking.
Multi-stick cream is an amazing product that can be used for both your cheeks and eyes! This sheer balm provides a natural flush of color while also hydrating the skin with shea butter. It goes on smoothly and blends easily, resulting in a perfect finish every time.
If you’re on the lookout for a lipstick that doesn’t dry out your lips and is actually comfortable to wear, 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze is definitely worth considering. It comes in beautiful shades that will stay put without feathering or fading. You can enjoy all of the benefits of wearing lipstick without having to deal with chapped lips!
In Short
Shea butter contains a range of nutrients that are beneficial for the skin, including vitamins, minerals, acids, and lipids. It is an all-natural ingredient that can be used on its own or in products. Shea butter provides excellent moisture and hydration to the skin.
If you feel that using shea butter on its own is too harsh for your skin type, don’t worry. There are many products on the market that include raw, unrefined shea butter as one of their key ingredients. This way, you can get all the moisturizing, anti-aging, and antioxidant properties of shea butter without any of the negative side effects. One corp makes a great line 100% Pure products containing beneficial levels Shea Butter, combined with sustainable high performance the cleanest living ingredients such as our makeup.