Shea Butter

If you have dry skin, you probably know that shea butter is one of the top moisturizing ingredients to use. But that's just one reason why shea (pronounced shay) is frequently used in skin and hair care products. As an ingredient for skincare, especially in its natural and pure form, it actually has multiple benefits—from reducing premature facial lines and wrinkles, to soothing skin conditions like eczema.

TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Hydrator

MAIN BENEFITS: Hydrating, antioxidant, soothes irritation

WHO SHOULD USE IT: In general, anyone with dry skin

HOW OFTEN CAN YOU USE IT: As much as you want, if you don't have an allergy.

WORKS WELL WITH: Other oils, cocoa butter

What is Shea Butter?

"Shea butter is a plant lipid that comes from African shea tree nuts and is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins," explains Chang. Shea butter’s polyphenols—antioxidants—have anti-aging benefits and properties similar to those found in green tea. Dr. Wong calls it "essentially a solid oil." Shea butter also contains five essential fatty acids (a major amount coming from stearic and oleic acids), a category which includes phytosterols, vitamins E and D, allantoin (good for healing skin irritations),2 and vitamin A.

Benefits of Shea Butter for Skin

It's hydrating: "Shea Butter is great for hydration and calms the skin. It goes into the skin well and protects the face from extreme temperatures," says Joanna Vargas, Celebrity Facialist and Founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin Care. She's right—actually, shea butter’s healing skin care benefits are almost innumerable.
It's plumping: "Shea butter is used to help moisturize, nourish, and soothe the skin," says Dr. Chang. "It is great for dry skin and can create softer, hydrated, plumper skin, especially during the dry winter months. Shea butter is also found in many lip balms to help with chapped lips as well as moisturizers that help prevent stretch marks."
It helps fade scars both from acne and non-acne-related causes in addition to healing sunburned, cracked, and peeling skin. It soothes skin allergies like poison ivy and insect bites, as well as skin conditions like contact dermatitis and psoriasis.3 Some users have even reported that shea butter eases the symptoms of rheumatism (although this claim isn't proven, nor is it backed by dermatologists). Short of an allergic reaction, shea butter is also extremely safe—the Environmental Working Group classifies it as non-toxic.

The combination of components in shea butter also helps neutralize free radical damage, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles and fades age spots.1 It may also stimulate collagen production, too, so your skin will be working at reversing signs of aging from the outside in and the inside out.

How to Use It

Shea butter can be used on its own, but it's just as commonly used as an ingredient in cosmetics, so it's up to you how you use it. Although, Wong makes sure to note that "Shea butter is best incorporated into a moisturiser with other ingredients so it's easier to spread, since it's usually a thick solid at room temperature."

If you're looking to use it on its own or make your own products, your best option will probably be buying it in bulk online from a wholesaler. If you want a small amount instead of bulk, though, Sun Potion has a great option for $20. Raw shea butter is meant to be rubbed on the skin as a method of moisturizing it and protecting the skin barrier. Refined shea butter included in something else (lipsticks, lip balms, body creams, body butters) is used as a moisturizing ingredient in those as well.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup grated shea butter
2 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon grated beeswax or soy wax

Moisturizing Hand Cream

Heat two teaspoons coconut oil, one teaspoon of almond oil, one teaspoon of cocoa butter, and one teaspoon shea butter in a microwave-safe bowl or container on low. You should only heat them for about two to three seconds, until the ingredients are melted, but not at all boiling. Stir them together, and massage them into your hands. It's a great moisturizing hand treatment to use during the winter months.

Lip Balm

Melt three teaspoons grated beeswax and three teaspoons castor oil in a microwave or double boiler. Stir and remove from heat. Add six to ten drops of the essential oil of your choice along with a teaspoon of honey. If you want to add a little color, shave off a little of your favorite lipstick into the mixture. Pour into lip balm tins, a small glass cosmetic jar, or even into a lipstick tube. Let the balm cool uncovered for about 20 minutes.

Side Effects of Shea Butter

"Many acne-prone patients are worried about excessive moisturizing, fearing it will clog the pores," notes Chang. "Shea butter is non-comedogenic and should not clog the pores." Also, explains Zalka, "Shea butter may be best avoided if you have allergy to tree nuts."

Shea Butter

Shea Butter

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