All about Shea Butter. Learn about its incredible benefits.

What is Shea Butter?

It is a fat obtained from the sun-dried nut of the ripe fruit produced by the shea tree, which can reach a height of 15 meters and live up to 300 years producing fruits. Shea is a tree that grows in the savannah of West African countries such as Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali and Sudan. Its tree is considered sacred and traditionally only fruits that had fallen to the ground were used. In addition, these fruits could only be harvested by women according to local traditions.

Shea butter has been used in Africa and many other places for years for skin and hair care. It also has a long history of medicinal use, such as in wound care and even in the treatment of leprosy.

Shea butter is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It offers UV protection (it is SPF 6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and nutrients necessary for collagen production.

Shea Butter is also known as Shea Butter and its INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) is Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, is the name that appears on the label of cosmetic products that contain it.

Benefits of Shea Butter

Moisturizing: The concentration of vitamins and natural fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing to the skin. It is often used to moisturize dry skin and to help protect the skin's natural oils.

Reduces inflammation: A 2010 study found that due to its cinnamic acid and other natural properties, shea butter was anti-inflammatory. One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help prevent skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne.

It is a powerful cellular regenerator: It contains vitamin F (the name given to the set of unsaturated fatty acids (the series omega 3 and omega 6) and are vital, as they are not made by our body and must be provided through food and natural products such as shea. The lack of this vitamin is manifested by desquamation in the skin and dryness in nails and hair.

Contributes to the smoothing of the skin: Shea butter helps in the natural production of collagen of the skin and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent dryness. With the continued use of shea butter, the skin is softened and strengthened, reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

From Belle Maroc we recommend its daily use for the many benefits it provides for the face, skin and hair, can also be used for all skin types and hair and generally its use has no risk. Can you ask more to this wonder known as the African Gold? We hope that we have cleared up the mystery about shea butter. Did you know the many uses of shea butter? If you know more uses of this miraculous natural ingredient, don't hesitate to comment on them.