7 ways shea butter gives you radiant skin and healthy hair

The all natural shea butter benefits you in more ways than one.

A popular ingredient in cooking, shea butter has myriad beauty benefits too. A rich source of Vitamin A, shea butter in its natural and pure form exhibits healing properties too. No wonder it is the most sought after ingredient in most beauty products across the world. Here's how shea butter can work wonders for your skin and hair:

Read: 5 Vitamin A rich foods you must include in your diet

Natural sunscreen

The anti-inflammatory properties ^[1] of shea butter help in reducing damage caused by UV rays or the sun. It thus acts as a natural sunscreen and is one of the common ingredients in sunscreens available in the market. Vitamin D and A present in shea butter also help in treating dark spots, skin discolourations and blemishes^[2].

Healing

The non-saponifiable fractions ^[3] present in shea butter sets it apart from other oils and natural substances as a healing substance. It helps in soothing wounds and injuries and also aids healing of skin allergies and injuries or infections.

Anti-ageing

Proper moisturising ensures that your skin stays young and free from wrinkles and blemishes for long. Vitamin E present in shea butter helps fight wrinkles and reduces signs of ageing. Here s how Vitamin E helps you stay healthy and young always.

Soft lips

Shea butter is also a good source of Vitamin F that acts on chapped and rough skin to soothe it. The moisturising property along with Vitamin F & E make your lips soft and supple. Shea butter melts when it comes in contact with the skin and hence penetrates well to prevent dryness. You can also lighten dark lips naturally with a homemade scrub.

Natural moisturiser

Shea butter is considered to be one of the best natural moisturisers ^[3]. It contains the same compounds or saponifiable fractions present in the sebaceous glands of our skin and hence applying shea butter on the skin moisturises it as effectively as the natural moisturising glands.

Hair care

Shea butter is a natural conditioner ^[2] for the hair due to its moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties also help in reducing dandruff and itchiness of the scalp. In fact, shea butter is known to keep psoriasis and eczema at bay too. The moisturising properties and the presence of Vitamin A and E also help in locking the natural shine of your hair and repairing the damage caused due to harsh weather or chemical treatments.

Body odour

When used with lime juice, shea butter acts as an effective antiperspirant. In fact, shea butter non-saponifiables are used as gelling agents ^[4] in the production of antiperspirant products. You can also fight body odour with these foods.

Shea butter, however, must be used in its purest form. Pure shea butter has an off-white colour and a typical odour which is not very attractive. If your shea butter is fragrant, it may contain some added chemicals for enhancing colour and fragrance even if the packaging says 100% pure shea butter.

Image Source: Shutterstock

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References:

1. Akihisa T, Kojima N, Kikuchi T, Yasukawa K, Tokuda H, T Masters E, Manosroi A, Manosroi J. Anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects of triterpene cinnamates and acetates from shea fat.J Oleo Sci. 2010;59(6):273-80.
2. McLymont, R. (2005). Shea Butter; What-all is the big deal?. Network Journal,12(5), 60.
3. Goreja, W. G. (2004). Shea butter: the nourishing properties of Africa's best-kept natural beauty secret. TNC International Inc.
4. Panitch, M. M. (1997). U.S. Patent No. 5,635,165. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.