How to Get the Most Out of Your Shea Butter

Hello Beautiful,

This month, we wanted to get more into why shea butter, what makes it such a good product for your skin, how to get the most out of your whipped shea butter and the different ways you can use it. 

How do you use yours? 

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Stay beautiful,

Ify

Founder, Oyoma Beauty

What Are the Uses of Shea Butter in Skincare and What Makes It Such An Important Ingredient?

The nuts of the shea tree are used to extract shea butter. It is solid at warm temperatures and has an ivory or off-white to mellow yellow appearance. Shea trees are indigenous to West Africa, and the bulk of shea butter still comes from this region.

Fatty Acids

There are four fatty acids in shea butter: linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic, which work together to balance the oils on your skin. By promoting lipid synthesis and preserving skin's barrier function, omega fatty acids play a key role in healthy skin function and appearance, keeping the outermost layer of our skin strong, healthy, and hydrated.

Triglycerides

A shea nut's fatty components are triglycerides that act as emollients, enhancing skin's ability to retain moisture by softening and smoothing the surface.

Vitamins A, E and F

Healthy blood circulation and skin cell regeneration are aided by antioxidant vitamins A, E, and F.

Boosting the skin's resistance to infection and speeding up healing are among the benefits of vitamin A.

By strengthening connective tissue on the face, vitamin E can reduce wrinkles by protecting your cells from damage and acting as a natural barrier to UV and environmental damage.

Vitamin F promotes ceramide production in our skin, which keeps our skin barrier strong and healthy. In the face of environmental damage, the skin barrier serves as the first line of defence, making it one of the key factors in maintaining soft, supple skin free from fine lines, wrinkles, and acne.

Shea butter is a highly effective cosmetic ingredient used for centuries. In fact, Cleopatra is said to have kept unrefined, pure shea butter handy at all times. With its high content of vitamins and fatty acids, we can see why. Shea butter is a must have and the perfect base for your skincare routine.

We will discuss some of the uses of shea butter on the skin so that you can start reaping its benefits.

18 Uses for Shea Butter

1. Ultra-Hydrating Moisturiser

Shea butter is capable of delivering intense moisturising to skin due to its high content of vitamin F. What makes shea butter better than the rest when it comes to its moisturising properties? This comes from the dual action emollient qualities that allow shea butter and all of its nutrients sink deep into the skin while also leaving a protective barrier on the surface that helps to keep moisture in and the bad stuff from getting in.

2. Treat Acne-Prone Skin

Despite its ultra-hydrating properties, shea butter has absolutely zero comedogenic properties, meaning it can be used as an effective moisturiser for acne-prone skin without worrying about causing more breakouts. Plus, it is also known for its ability to fade acne scars and soothe inflamed skin.

3. Diminishes and Prevents Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Shea butter serves as a natural moisturiser that works to eliminate wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen.

4. Sun Protection

Although we do not recommend ditching your regular sunscreen completely, shea butter does offer you a little more protection against the sun. Therefore, we recommend layering it over your favourite sunscreen on days when you will be spending time outdoors for an added natural glow.

5. Heal and Treat Dermatitis

Hydrated and nourished skin heals faster. That's why we always recommend adding shea butter to your healing routine when it comes to skin conditions such as dermatitis

6. Soothes Sensitive Skin

Shea butter works to soothe sensitive skin with a protective barrier chock full of antioxidants and healing fatty acids.

7. Eczema Relief

Several studies have found that shea butter is effective and helpful when it comes to treating eczema. In addition to its natural anti-mucous properties, shea butter also has rich emollient qualities that make it an excellent moisturiser. Shea butter can penetrate deep into your skin, infusing damaged areas with potent amounts of healing antioxidants, as well as forming a protective layer that keeps your skin from irritation during the day.

8. Great Alternative to Shaving Cream (and treats razor burn)

When it's time for you to shave next time, why not switch out your old shaving cream with a generous dollop of shea butter instead? Shea butter protects your skin from scratches to keep it smooth as you glide your razor across it. Your skin will also feel smooth and hydrated afterward, leaving you feeling soft and hair-free.

9. Heal Burns

Shea butter's healing properties accelerate recovery when applied to the injured area in conjunction with a few drops of lavender essential oil.

10. Heal Cracked & Dry Heels

It is amazing how much difference shea butter can make for dry cracked feet! You will instantly notice a difference in how your feet feel. Make it a ritual to put shea butter on your feet every night. You'll wake up with soft, supple feet every day if you do it right before you head to bed. 

11. Treat Hyperpigmentation

It has been shown that daily application of shea butter can help fade dark spots on the skin while also working to prevent them from forming in the first place. Making it a great option for those that deal with hyperpigmentation.

12. Fade Stretch Marks

When shea butter is applied to stretch marks, it can lighten the appearance of redness, reducing the severity of the old stretch marks.

13. DIY Eye Cream

Shea butter's anti-inflammatory and emollient properties come together to create an effective and super simple alternative to eye cream that combats crow’s feet.

14. Makeup Remover

When it comes to removing makeup gently but effectively, shea butter works best, especially for waterproof products. Shea butter will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean of all makeup without feeling dry and stripped of its important natural oils.

15. Fights Fungal Infections

A number of studies have shown that shea butter is antimicrobial and has been demonstrated to be effective against both ringworm and athlete's foot.

16. Massage Oil

Mixing shea butter with carrier and essential oils makes an excellent massage oil. The benefits of this treatment include increased collagen production and a reduction in joint pain as well.

17. Healing Balm

Shea butter is rich in phytonutrients, which promote quick healing of minor cuts while reducing scarring.

18. Lash & Brow Serum

If you want to grow long, thick, and strong lashes and brows, then sweep shea butter along your lashes and brows before you sleep.

 

Due to its broad range of beneficial properties, it is not surprising that long-term use of shea butter will result in healthy and balanced skin that is free of free radicals, UV damage, and wrinkles, as well as free of fine lines and blemishes.

The best place to begin if you're new to the uses for shea butter and are not sure where to start, would be to grab a pot of our organic whipped shea butter blended with aloe vera and jojoba oils. At Oyoma, we use only the best high-quality ingredients, and we are confident that you will start noticing the benefits straight away.