Shea Butter (100g)

Shea Butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) that is native to Africa, shea butter is a creamy fat that exists as a solid at room temperature, but melts on contact with skin, similar to coconut oil.

The Karite tree bears the fruits, and the nuts inside the fruits are of prime importance. These nuts are crushed, boiled, and manipulated to extract a light-coloured fat, which is commonly referred to as shea butter.

The main components of shea butter include oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, etc. It gets absorbed quickly into the skin as it melts at body temperature. Its moisturizing and healing properties prove beneficial for many skin issues. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (to a certain extent) that can be utilized to treat many ailments. Its similarity to many vegetable oils makes it suitable for ingestion.

Why is it important for shea butter to be organic and unrefined?

In its natural state (unrefined), Shea Butter is rich in sterols and bio-actives, providing penetrating moisture to the skin and hair. Unrefined Shea Butter has a sizeable quantity of unsaponifiable fats, which contain shea triterpene esters with anti-inflammatory properties. These natural active elements help with cell regeneration and capillary circulation and also provide about 5% UV protection because of the cinnamic acid content. You can identify Unrefined Shea by its cream or light yellow color and natural, nutty scent.

Benefits of Shea Butter

Shea butter is often used in moisturizers, creams, lotions, and other emulsions for the skin and hair. It is rich in fats that make it an excellent emollient and skin moisturizing agent. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help reduce inflammatory skin diseases and the damage the skin and hair have undergone due to free radicals.

It also contains vitamins A and E, which not only keep the skin in optimal health but also protect it from being damaged by the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. These components give shea butter a mild sun protection factor (SPF). Vitamin E also soothes dry skin and improves the skin’s elasticity, making this butter a good anti-aging agent.