Is Shea Butter Good for Face (Sunburn, Wrinkles, Aging & More)
Shea butter is the vegetable fat extracted from the nut of the Shea tree that is grown in western African nations. Upon extraction pure African Shea butter is pale white or ivory. Throughout history and now in modern times the use of African Shea butter on the face has delivered numerous benefits and is therefore considered nature’s bounty for natural beauty.
Benefits of Shea Butter for Face
Raw Shea butter is not only full of moisturizing agents due to the presence of fatty acids, but it is also vitamin-rich. The presence of anti-inflammatory ingredients as well adds to African Shea butter’s list of benefits.
African women have been using Shea butter for centuries as a staple in their beauty regime. With globalization and consumers turning towards more natural and vegan solutions for skincare, Shea butter has gained popularity in the modern cosmetic and beauty industry as well.
When searching for Shea butter online, raw shea butter usage on full face and its results in comparison photos of before and after is one of the most searched items on the web. This of course speaks volumes about the popularity of raw Shea butter and its uses for facial skin.
Source: Health Line
Let us now look at some of the benefits of using Shea butter in detail and how and why these properties of Shea butter are beneficial and make it suitable for application on the face.
Benefits of Shea Butter for Sunburn
Sunburn has become quite common especially since people have become more health-conscious and are focused on outdoor activities. In Western countries especially where individuals have a reduced melanin content in their skin naturally, the danger of sunburn especially when sunbathing on the beach or enjoying a day out in the park increases tremendously.
Not only is the condition painful but the red patches and rash add an unappealing aesthetic sense as well and thus impact the individual's self-confidence. With a lot of over-the-counter sunburn treatments and ointments available, the modern customer is now preferring something natural to steer clear of the side effects of man-made products. This is where Shea butter steps in.
100% pure and raw African Shea butter is known for its sunburn treating properties. The presence of antioxidants in it especially the likes of Ferulic acid grants it a soothing and calming effect that not only helps in reducing the effect of the sunburn but also repairs the skin moisture barrier which has been damaged due to the harmful rays of the sun.
Combined with the presence of fatty acids in Shea butter such as Linoleic Acid, it also provides a moisture barrier in the form of protection against hydration loss that helps in quick healing of the damage caused by sunburn.
Benefits of Shea Butter for Wrinkles and Aging
Source: Medical News Today
Men and women alike are both concerned about their looks as well as how society perceives them. As time passes wrinkles and aging, become a part of the life process due to a multitude of reasons. Wrinkles and crow's feet are sometimes enhanced due to genetic factors, but the majority of the occurrences are caused due to the lack of moisture and environmental stressors that impact your skin as you grow old.
What is interesting to know is that the use of raw African Shea butter for the face not only helps in preventing wrinkles and other signs of aging but also helps in reducing the impact of aging that has already occurred.
This is due to the presence of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin F, and vitamin K in raw Shea butter. All these vitamins work together in conjunction to repair the damage caused to the skin and increase the production of collagen that plumps the skin and reduces the signs of aging. Not only that the vitamins in combination with the presence of fatty acids help in promoting blood circulation that further enhances the elasticity of your skin and slows down this cycle of aging.
Add to that the presence of Cetyl esters in natural and organic raw Shea butter. These esters prevent moisture loss and repair the skin by just storing its protective layer.
Source: Google Images
Acne is not only a major skin concern, but it is also, but it also has a psychological impact on the individual suffering from it. It undermines the confidence of the individual and they sometimes feel that they want to stay away from socializing.
Raw African Shea butter due to its high anti-bacterial content in the form of vitamin F is known as an effective treatment for cystic acne that is caused due to presence of harmful bacteria on the skin.
The vitamin F in Shea butter not only helps kill acne-causing bacteria but also prevents it from reoccurring as its anti-inflammation property helps soothe the skin and calm down the redness. The best part about the use of Shea butter for treating acne on your face is that it comes with zero side effects and does not cause dryness or itching or peeling like other over-the-counter acne treatments.
How to use Shea Butter on the face?
Research has suggested that the best time to use Shea butter is right after you have cleansed your face to remove excess dirt and the oily residue. After that, you can follow the following steps.
- Thoroughly dry your face with a dry face towel, and ensure that there's no moisture left visible on the skin.
- Take a tiny amount of raw and organic African Shea butter in between your fingers and rub it together until it starts melting.
- Apply this semi-solid Shea butter on your face and neck in upward motions as it melts further on contact.
- Use soft and circular motions to massage the butter into your skin especially around areas that are prone to dryness or aging.
- Leave the Shea butter on your face for 15 to 20 minutes or until absorbed fully.
- In case the absorption process is taking longer than usual, or you have applied Shea butter in a slightly excess amount, use an absorbent paper to remove the excess in a tapping motion.
In case you have naturally oily skin or the climate of your region is humid especially when it comes to summers, we recommend using a light homemade moisturizer that incorporates Shea butter in all its benefits while remaining lightweight and summer-friendly.
How to Choose the Best Unrefined Shea Butter for your face?
Now that we know the qualities and benefits of raw African Shea butter let us look at its characteristics when it is in its best form that does unrefined and unprocessed.
- It is ivory or pale yellow with a mild nutty smell.
- Even though slightly solid at room temperature it is malleable in texture it is creamy and smooth free of any grit or solid particles.
- It combines beautifully with essential oils and applies easily on the skin.
One thing we must ensure when using Shea butter is that not only it is 100% pure and organic but it is sourced in the right manner and is ethically produced.
With a multitude of options available in the market, one can never be sure whether the raw African Shea butter that we are purchasing online is what it claims to be. Consequently, we strongly recommend that you source your best unrefined, raw African Shea butter from Baraka.
Not only does Baraka ensure that the Shea butter that is available for purchase is 100% organic but also Baraka guarantees 100% fair trade and building the community it sources it from.
Therefore, not only are you benefiting from 100% certified, pure and unrefined product but you are also helping in giving back to the community that is bringing you this bounty of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is African Shea Butter Good for Face?
Raw and unrefined African Shea butter has many benefits for the face and can be used by both men and women to improve the quality and texture of facial skin.
Can Shea Butter Remove Dark Spots?
The presence of different antioxidants and vitamins especially vitamin E and vitamin A in raw Shea butter can prove helpful in reducing the appearance of dark spots with regular use.
Is Shea Butter Good for Pimples?
Shea butter when used consistently can help decrease the occurrences of pimples and acne as well as reduce irritation and redness caused by pimples.
Can I Leave Shea Butter on My Face Overnight?
In case you have extremely dry skin or you're suffering from sunburn, it is safe to leave Shea butter on your skin overnight to help enhance the healing process.
Does Shea Butter Lighten Skin?
The presence of vitamin E in Shea butter helps in skin renewal and cell repair, therefore, reducing the appearance of dark spots, sunspots and giving the skin a glowing look.
Conclusion
Shea butter is not only beneficial for use on facial skin but is also free of harmful side effects that are normally associated with chemical-based facial moisturizers and treatments. Just like with any other product, despite the natural nature of Shea butter we recommend doing a patch test before making it a part of your beauty and skincare regime.
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