Pure Shea Butter

 
Pure Shea Butter from Cote D'Ivoire.
 
Shea butter is a seed fat that comes from the shea tree. The shea tree is found in East and West tropical Africa. The shea butter comes from two oily kernels within the shea tree seed. After the kernel is removed from the seed, it is ground into a powder and boiled in water. The butter then rises to the top of the water and becomes solid. It’s solid at room temperature but melts on contact with skin, similar to coconut oil. You can safely apply shea butter to your face, lips and body. Some body scrubs and hair conditioners also contain shea butter for its moisturizing effects.
 
Shea butter is a moisturizer — emollients that keep water from evaporating from your skin. But shea butter has more fatty acids, vitamin E and contains vitamin A.
 
The benefits of shea butter
 
1. Relieves dry skin
Shea butter contains fatty acids. They lubricate the skin and create a barrier that keeps moisture in. In people with oilier skin, sebum (natural skin oil) does this job. But for those with drier skin, a moisturizer helps maintain dewiness.
 
2. Eases irritation
Shea butter contains anti-inflammatory substances, which ease swelling and redness in skin. People use it for any irritation, from sunburns to chapped lips to skin that’s reacting to too many acid peels or scrubs.
 
3. Prevents cell damage
Shea butter contains two antioxidants:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is crucial for skin health, it help to firm skin and reduce wrinkles.
It works by increasing the skin-cell turnover rate, smoothing the skin’s surface. It also plumps skin by stimulating the production of collagen, the framework that keeps your skin from sagging.
Vitamin E
Shea butter naturally has a lot of vitamin E.
The majority of it is alpha-tocopherol (one of eight forms of vitamin E), which has the highest antioxidant activity. Vitamin E is in our sebum, so oilier skins have more of it.
But sebum production tends to decline with age. Sunlight exposure depletes it, too. Vitamin E helps skin by preventing cellular damage and boosting moisture.
 
Improves eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition that causes itchy, red rashes. It also makes you prone to skin infections. When you have eczema, part of the problem is that you don’t have enough fatty acids in your skin. Your skin barrier isn’t as effective at warding off irritants and germs.
Eczema treatment includes applying thick ointments, balms or creams to seal in moisture and defend against germs.
It’s essential for people with eczema to keep their skin moist and protected. Shea butter can be a good option for it. 
 
Doesn’t cause allergic reactions
Shea butter is safe for people with nut allergies. Allergens are proteins. While shea butter does come from nuts, it’s made entirely of fat, so it’s allergen-free. However, raw shea butter does contain latex. So people with latex allergies should avoid it or make sure they only use refined shea butter.