Useful properties of shea butter, whether it can be harmful. Methods for using hair products. How to use shea butter for face and body skin care. Real reviews of women.
Shea Butter (Shea Butter) is a unique product that moisturizes and regenerates the skin, and also protects against the harmful effects of the sun's rays. Cosmetic products are made from the seeds of the shea tree, which grows in Africa. At home, plants have been using oil for a very long time, and traditionally only women can harvest its fruits. There is information that Cleopatra herself equipped caravans for shea butter, and only expensive clay jugs were used for its transportation and storage.
The beneficial properties of shea butter
In the photo, butter shea
Cosmetologists all over the world highly appreciate the moisturizing, softening, regenerating properties that are inherent in the oil of the African sebaceous tree. Therefore, it is not surprising that today it is used in the production of cosmetic products for skin and hair care. Shea butter has also found application in pharmaceuticals: ointments made on its basis contribute to the rapid penetration of medicinal components into the deep layers of the dermis.
Shea butter has a number of characteristics. First, it has antimicrobial qualities that protect the skin from the harmful effects of environmental factors. Secondly, the agent helps to normalize metabolic processes and accelerate the renewal of the skin.
Shea butter also has antioxidant and regenerative properties. When using the product, the production of collagen increases, and this, in turn, is a wonderful prevention of skin aging. It helps to smooth out fine wrinkles, deeply moisturizes, heals, improves skin tone and elasticity, makes it silky and smooth.
In addition, shea butter is characterized by good sun protection properties and protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation. This is due to the special composition of shea butter, which contains vitamin E and cinnamic acid, and explains the popularity of the use of shea butter for tanning.
Oleic acid, present among the ingredients, promotes the rapid absorption of the substance into the deep layers of the epidermis, linoleic acid activates lipid metabolism, which is best reflected in the restoration of the protective functions of the skin.
The presence of triglycerides in the oil of the African sebaceous shea tree leads to an increase in the protective functions of the skin, affecting its barrier properties. In addition, the constituent funds are able to quickly penetrate into the inner layers of the dermis, which is why numerous regenerating products are made on its basis.
Due to its many beneficial properties, shea butter has found application in the production of body shaping products. Cosmetologists note that it promotes skin regeneration at the cellular level.
Shea butter is also effective in various care products for dry and split ends - shampoos, balms, masks. Perfectly protects the scalp from dangerous ultraviolet exposure, gives the hair shine and shine.
In addition to saturating the skin with vitamins and minerals, as well as restoring its tone, African shea butter is used to treat acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and wounds of various origins. It will help get rid of joint pains, swelling in case of ligament injuries, and has proven itself in the prevention of scars and stretch marks.
The use of shea butter is very sparing, as the skin absorbs as much of the substance as it needs. Therefore, one application of the product per month is sufficient.
It is interesting! The inhabitants of the savan have used shea butter for a long time as a healing agent for cuts, as well as for sunburn.
- For acne breakouts … Ingredients: 2 tbsp. water, 1 tsp. white clay, 1 drop of tea tree oil, 1 tsp. shea butter for the skin. First, dilute the clay with water, mix thoroughly, then mix with the rest of the ingredients. Cleanse your face and apply in a thick layer. After the mask dries, rinse it off. The mask helps to reduce inflammation, redness, and pore tightening.
- For the area around the eyes … Ingredients: 1 tsp. shea butter for the face and 1 tsp. almond oil. After mixing, apply the mixture to cotton pads to be applied to the eyelids. This mask does not need to be washed off.
- For lips … Melt 1/2 tsp in a water bath. shea butter, 1/2 tsp beeswax, 1 tsp. honey and 1/2 tsp. cocoa butter. After cooling the mass, add a drop of peppermint oil to it. If desired, it can be replaced with lemon balm or chamomile oil. Use a lip protectant when the weather is bad and the wind is blowing. People who are prone to allergies to bee products should not abuse the mask.
Use shea butter cream to combat dry skin. To cook it, mix 1 tsp. Shea butter with 1 drop of ylang ylang essential oil. Apply the cream to the skin using light massaging movements. Since the product is too dense, it is best to use it before bed.
It's important to know! Home remedies that contain shea butter do not need to be refrigerated, just keep them in a dark place.
How to apply shea butter to the body?
The use of shea butter for body care is very effective in eliminating flaking, unevenness, rough areas, softening and increasing skin elasticity, improving its color, restoring elasticity in case of stretch marks and cellulite. That is why shea butter is the basis of body care creams.
Recipes for effective shea butter body creams:
- For stretch marks and scars … To prepare the product at home, you will need 90 g of unrefined shea butter, 30 g of coconut oil, 20 g of cold-pressed olive oil, 2 capsules of vitamin E, 3 drops of lavender oil. Melt the shea butter in a water bath, add all the ingredients, and cool to room temperature. Beat with a blender until thick sour cream. This cream with shea butter is best used after taking a shower, when the pores are open and it can penetrate as deeply into the dermis as possible.
- For hardened skin on heels and elbows … To prepare the product, take 20 g of shea butter, 5 g of coconut oil, 5 g of wheat germ oil. All components must be melted in a water bath, cooled and whipped with a blender until thick sour cream. The tool will relieve dry skin and peeling, will help the quick healing of cracks.
- Revitalizing cream … To prepare the product, you will need 20 g of shea butter, 20 g of almond oil, a few drops of lavender and chamomile extract, 10 g of aloe juice. All components are mixed in a water bath until smooth, cooled. Recommended to be used as a day cream for dry skin.
To eliminate the "orange peel", it is recommended to carry out a wrap course based on shea butter. To prepare the mixture, you will need 100 g of dark chocolate, 2 tablespoons of shea butter, 100 g of natural yogurt. Melt the chocolate in a water bath, add shea butter, cool, add yoghurt and mix thoroughly until smooth. With the resulting mass, we spread the problem areas of the body, then wrap with cling film, wrap the body. After 20-30 minutes, wash off with warm water. The procedure is repeated 10-15 times every other day. Body wraps with shea butter will help get rid of cellulite, your skin will become smooth and tender. Chocolate in the composition of the cosmetic mixture also serves as an excellent remedy for self-tanning - the skin will acquire a golden hue.
Massage with shea butter helps to restore the elasticity of the skin, reduce tension, soreness, and reduce the "orange peel". The substance is absorbed very quickly without leaving any greasy residue. The moisturizing effect of the oil is achieved within an hour after application and lasts for about 8 hours.
For hand care, you can prepare a mask based on 20 g of shea butter, 20 g of walnut oil and 20 g of calendula oil. Melt the butter in a water bath, mix all the ingredients until smooth. It is recommended to apply hand cream with shea butter on clean skin for 20-30 minutes; it will be effective to use the product together with cotton gloves.
Applying shea butter to hair
Applying shea butter will help get rid of split ends. Add the following ingredients to the melted main ingredient (20 g): 20 g of almond oil, 1 egg yolk, 3 drops of ylang-ylang oil. Stir the mixture thoroughly, after which it can be applied to dry hair. To achieve the best effect, we wrap it with cling film, and warm it on top with a towel. After an hour, wash off with warm water using shampoo.
You can also use shea butter to nourish your hair. Melt 40 g of shea butter in a water bath, to which you need to add the remaining ingredients: 20 g of burdock oil, 40 g of linseed oil, 1 tablespoon of liquid vitamin E. After thorough mixing, apply the mixture to dry hair, which needs to be wrapped in cling film. Also, do not forget to warm your hair with a towel. It is better to keep the mask on your hair all night, and in the morning rinse it off with warm water using shampoo.
Note! At an air temperature of +27 degrees, shea butter remains solid, but it is very easy to melt it in your hands.
Real Reviews of Shea Butter
Shea butter reviews are extremely positive. Doctors say: people who use the product as a cosmetic for the face and body have healthy skin in all respects. Regular use of shea butter hair masks also gets rave reviews. The girls note the healthy look of the curls, the shine of the hair, the improvement in the structure, and the density of the strands.
Marina, 26 years old
My hair has been bad since childhood. I tried to improve their quality in many ways: I smeared it with burdock oil, rinsed it with a decoction of birch leaves, but the improvement was short-term. The pharmacy advised shea butter for hair. Although it was expensive, I decided to try it. I did hair masks 2 times a week. I noticed the result in a month. The curls grew thicker, the hair became harder, shone. My friends noted that I was prettier. Now I'm not afraid to walk with my hair down: the hair looks beautiful.
Olga, 35 years old
I use shea butter for my face in winter. In the cold, the skin becomes dry, the lips crack. Lubricated with creams, butter, but the effect was not pleasing. Shea butter and cosmetics with it quickly eliminated cracks, softened the skin, and improved complexion. I buy the product at the pharmacy: the product is certified and reliable. I advise all women to make masks with shea butter: it is magical for the skin.
Zoya, 65 years old
Shea butter was advised at the pharmacy when she complained of dry skin on her face and hands. I tried fatty creams, but the result is temporary and not satisfying. I bought shea butter in solid form and started applying it to my skin. A product with a pleasant scent, non-irritating. In the morning I notice: the wrinkles are slightly smoothed out, the cracks are healed. My daughter gives me a few pieces for my birthday, and I have enough for six months.
How to use shea butter - watch the video:
