The most beauty-bound women have certainly used, or at least seen for sale, some product that contained shea butter. A shampoo, conditioner, body or face cream, among other body care products.
This is because, due to the proven benefits it can offer to skin and hair, shea butter is present in the formulas of various cosmetics sold in Brazil and worldwide.
If you don't know or have heard about shea butter but have doubts about how it works, you'll love to know a little more about this type of natural fat that can be very helpful in your daily beauty care!
What is shea butter?
Shea butter is extracted from a walnut, which grows on a tree unique to the African continent, more precisely from its western region: Butyrospermum parkii.
The fruit is not harvested and not even the tree is shaken or cut. The ripe fruit is collected only when it falls to the ground (since the hanging ones are not ripe enough for butter production). For this, the tree needs to reach about 15 years old, which is when it begins to bear fruit, and the average yield is around 15 to 20 pounds of fresh fruit per tree each season.
Read also: Vaseline: Benefits and tricks of how to use in daily life
Once harvested and ground, is the walnut turned into shea butter? One of the most valuable vegetable fats in the world, with very high quality and which, as it should be, is present in the most varied cosmetic formulas sold worldwide.
The Key Benefits of Shea Butter
Shea butter has several properties that make it a very interesting active ingredient for cosmetic use, according to Flávia de Oliveira José, pharmacist at Doce Flora, professor of cosmetology and coordinator of the technical course of Pharmacy at Esaup (Piracicaba Health School). ).
Flávia explains that due to the high degree of softness (softness), this product gives the body a pleasant touch. However, having no greasy and glossy effect? essential in any line of cosmetic products, both for hair and skin ?, says.
The pharmacist adds that shea butter relieves the dryness of the skin, helping to maintain its natural moisture. It is widely used in cosmetics for very dry and sensitive skin. "It gives a velvety and soothing sensation on the skin and additional photoprotective spectrum in the ultraviolet range," he says. That is, especially when used pure, it also acts as a "natural sunscreen", being a great ally in both hot and winter months.
Flávia adds that due to the softening action, shea butter can be used as a stretch mark preventative.
Read also: 6 Homemade Nail Strengthening Treatments
It is still very suitable for dry, weak or brittle hair, as it is an effective and all-natural revitalizer that offers shine, flexibility and softness, as well as protecting them from solar radiation.
How to use butter in pure version or in products
Below you will find the main guidelines on how to use shea butter:
In the face
Flávia explains that shea butter can be applied to the face in its pure version or by formulations such as lipsticks and creams containing it. "For its moisturizing action and for protecting against UV rays, it can be used both day and night," he says.
Butter can also be applied, in its pure version, directly to the lips to moisturize them.
Read also: The body parts that need hydration the most
Who has oily skin, however, should be careful when applying shea butter directly on the face. The best way is to always follow the advice of a dermatologist as to which products you may or may not use in this case.
On body
Shea butter can be used on the most varied parts of the body, from nails (so that they are more hydrated and strong), such as arms, feet, legs. "It can also be used in specific compositions for each area of the body", comments Flávia.
The pharmacist adds that shea butter can be used day or night. ? Its fatty acid constitution is similar to the composition of skin fat? What makes it a product that does not provoke sensitivity reactions and enables use throughout the body, promoting intense hydration and a soft and velvety touch ?, he says.
To moisturize and soothe the skin using pure shea butter, there is no secret: put some of the butter in the palm of your hand, rub with your fingers and apply directly to the skin, massaging gently.
Read also: How to prevent dry lips in dry weather?
In the hair
Flávia points out that there are scientific studies that prove the action of shea butter on hair. "The lipid (fat) components of butter provide the hair fiber with shine, softness and silos, since they return to the hair fiber lipid constituents lost during the daily hair treatment steps and cover the hair, reducing friction between them", explains .
"Studies indicate the use of butter in conditioners used after shampooing exactly to regain hair," he adds.
Another possibility is to use pure shea butter directly on the strands. Here are three suggestions for how to do this:
- Wash your hair, wipe off excess water with a towel and apply shea butter (avoiding the root). Put on a shower and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then just rinse the strands with plenty of warm water.
- Put some of the shea butter on your hands, spreading well. Then apply on the dry and unwashed strands, especially on the tips and most dry parts. Leave as much time as you can (then) and then wash as usual.
- Apply a little butter to the hair before bed and when you wake up, wash it thoroughly (so that the hair does not get oily).
Can Shea Butter Be Used In Pregnancy?
Flávia explains that, being a natural product, shea butter can be used by pregnant women. "You only have to be careful with the other components in the case of shea-based creams and lotions or give preference to pure butter," he says.
The superpositive side of using shea butter during pregnancy, as Flávia explains, is that the moisturizing and softening properties allow the skin to have a greater elasticity, avoiding stretch marks.
"Remember that it is always advisable to consult the opinion of the doctor who is monitoring at this stage," adds the pharmacist.
Is it possible to manipulate this vegetable fat?
Shea butter is a product available for handling and, as Flávia explains, being a cosmetic, it is OTC. "Anyone can go to a drugstore and order a shea product and the pharmacist can advise them on other products added to the formula for better results," he says.
In handling, explains Flavia, can be made with shea butter:
- Lipstick;
- Conditioner;
- Body cream;
- Hand cream;
- Foot cream etc.
The interesting thing to manipulate is to customize the formula for each person. Thus, we can often meet the needs of each in a single product, thus facilitating their use and providing a lower cost ?, highlights Flavia.
The pharmacist adds that pure shea butter is also more affordable in handling (more affordable). "In addition, the person is sure to be a 100% pure product," he says.
Homemade Shea Butter Recipes
Some people risk buying pure shea butter and mixing it with other products, thus making "homemade recipes". On the internet you can find, for example, suggestions of homemade hair masks made with shea or body creams etc.
Check out some examples below:
1. Treatment Cream + Shea Butter: 1 teaspoon shea butter + 2 tbsp cornstarch + 1 cup whole milk + 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp honey + 2 tbsp treatment Cream. Bring the starch and milk to the heat until thickened. Add the shea butter and let it dissolve completely. Remove from heat and add olive oil, honey and cream.
2. Shea Butter Hair Cream: 1 cup coconut oil + ½ cup shea butter + ½ cup grape seed oil. In a bowl combine the ingredients. Place the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds until well melted. Place the bowl in a larger container with water and ice cubes and beat until texture changes to something creamier.
3. Homemade Shea Butter Body Cream: 1 cup shea butter + 1 cup cocoa butter + 1/2 cup coconut oil + 1 tbsp orange essential oil. Melt shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil. Mix these ingredients well and place the mixture in the refrigerator until it begins to take shape again. Add the essential oil, beating (with an electric mixer) and then place in a closed glass container. Store at room temperature.
However, Flávia points out that she does not recommend making this type of product with shea butter. ? As a pharmacist I do not guide home recipes. Because when we mix several products ready, we can cause incompatibilities or unexpected chemical reactions and the products formed by these reactions can be toxic and harmful to health, and compromise the expected result ?, says.
What I can recommend is the use of pure organic shea butter directly on the skin, being the whole body, lips, feet and hands in case of extremely dry or sensitive skin. And hair mask, however, always remembering not to add anything to it ?, highlights the pharmacist Flavia.
19 Shea Butter Products
In the gallery below you can find suggestions on where to buy cosmetics that have shea butter in their formulation and also pure butter:
Shea Butter for $ 9.45 on Soap and Glycerin
L? Occitane Vanilla Shea Hand Cream for R $ 39 at L? Occitane
L? Occitane citrus shea body cream for $ 99 at L? Occitane
L? Occitane Shea Ultra-Moisturizing Body Cream for $ 55 at L? Occitane
L? Occitane Shea Body Moisturizing Oil for R $ 125 at L? Occitane
N? Occitane Shea Nourishing Oil for Nails and Cuticles for L $ occitane
L? Occitane Ultra Moisturizing Facial Soap for R $ 65 on L? Occitane
Shea L? Occitane Tonic for $ 40 at L? Occitane
L? Occitane Ultra Moisturizing Shea Face Cream for R $ 195 at L? Occitane
L? Occitane Shea Lip Balm for $ 45 at L? Occitane
Shea Butter Tenys Pé for R $ 19,20 at Foot Website
Skala Butter Karite Cream for $ 2.29 at Mega Salon
Neez Butter Karite Hair Ointment for R $ 9,20 at Panvel
Helcla Butter Karite Shampoo for R $ 12,19 at Mega Salon
Ideal Cuticle Softener Shea Butter for $ 1.89 at Mega Salon
Karite Rene Furterer Hair Mask for R $ 156,90 at Oz Cosmetics
Almond and Butter Conditioner Katité Force of the Earth for R $ 22 at Natue
L? Occitane Pure Organic Shea Butter for R $ 195 at L? Occitane
100% Pure Dr. Tozzi Shea Butter for R $ 20,30 at Dr. Tozzi
Contraindications
Flávia points out that there are no contraindications to shea butter in the literature. "The contraindication may come in products where the composition is not just shea butter," he adds.
The pharmacist draws attention, however, for some basic care:
- Shea butter should not be eaten;
- It should never be applied to the eyes;
- Avoid use on injured skin.
Now that you know the benefits of this preciousness of nature! How about including this fantastic natural product in your daily beauty treatment ?! But remember: if in doubt, always talk to your dermatologist.
Benefits of Shea Butter on Natural Hair and Skin | Kadima (March 2024)
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