Shea Butter: The Benefits of this Skin Superfood

Shea Butter. Even the name sounds luxurious and rejuvenating! This creamy, rich superfood originates from the nuts of the Shea Tree and is packed with Vitamin A, E, and F, and provides moderate UV protection.

Similar to Argan Oil, Shea Butter was originally used by African woman to keep their skin supple, moisturized, and healthy. Since then, it is included as the base in almost every skincare line for the many benefits  it can provide to your skin!

Moisturizing

Shea Butter instantly melts at skin temperature and quickly absorbs into the skin. You’ll notice that dryness can often cause your skin to peel, flake, or itch (like crazy). The cream’s fatty acids help to soothe and provide quick relief. Perfect for cracked elbows and feet, it can be left on overnight to soak into your skin’s deepest layers.

Check out our recipe on how you can make a shea butter moisturizer at home using Jojoba oil.

Natural Treatment for Skin Disorders

This buttery emollient can aid with the symptoms of certain skin disorders, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis… it can even help with razor burn (yes please)!

Anti-Aging

One of the main reasons our skin ages is due to dehydration. You will notice that those of us who have skin on the more oily side, will actually form fine lines and wrinkles much slower than those who may have dry skin. Shea Butter’s moisturizing and collagen boosting capabilities hydrate and improve skin elasticity over time, perfect for both dry and oily skin types.

Helps Fade Scars and Stretch Marks

Whether or not you have ever been pregnant, you may have experienced stretch marks from quick growth spurts or scars from when you were a child. Shea Butter is often included as the base ingredient in scar or stretch mark treatments. Shea can help improve the stretchiness of skin, so that it can heal quicker or bounce back easier post-baby.

UV Protection

Now, you should always wear sunscreen with high SPF, but on days where you forget or want to supplement with a natural option, choose Shea Butter. Particularly, its cinnamic acid is a compound that provides some UV protection, and its SPF can range from 6-10 depending on the butter’s quality (great for small children with sensitive skin). It is also perfect for sunburn treatment and is best applied immediately after excessive sun exposure to soothe any inflammation.

Okay, so you know all the benefits … but how do you know which Shea Butter to use? There are SO many Shea Butters out there to choose from, but we highly recommend that you look for products that are raw/unrefined, unbleached, organic, and grade A, like our Baraka Shea Butter.

Aim for Fair Trade Shea (ours is), and know that you are helping a hardworking community. If you look out for these indicators, you will receive the purest and highest quality Shea Butter money can buy.

Take a look at our collection of Baraka Shea Butter, where you will find pure 100% Shea Butter that is natural, unrefined, and hand-made by women using traditional methods passed down through generations (and always fairly traded). You will never have to worry about any added chemicals or additives.

Already purchased? The best way to store your Shea Butter is to place it in a cool environment inside an airtight container (no sun, please!). Be aware that suppliers will often add vitamin E to increase its shelf life. Note, if it smells acidic or rancid, it is probably time to re-stock with a fresh supply.

Take advantage of all that Shea Butter has to offer your skin, and nourish your body and soul with the amazing superfood qualities that it provides.