Is Shea Butter better? Yes, it is!
A little context...As I sat down to write this article, the weather outside my window changed 3 times! 3 entire times.
First, it was hot and sunny, so I needed to crank up the electric fan. Then it became windy with a slight drizzle, so I decided to open my windows and let some of the cool air in. Now, I’m getting the best of both worlds since the sun is out...but it’s still raining.
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I could go on and on about what could be causing this strange weather, but for now, I want to talk about how it’s affecting my skin. All these outside weather conditions have a very visible effect on our skin. The humidity has been making my hair dry and frizzy, while crazy hot weather makes my lips and heels dry and cracked.
Having said that, it’s super timely that this week’s Bare 101 feature is about a powerful and natural ingredient that you butter believe can help address those problems.
Let’s welcome,
Shea Butter!
Shea (pronounced shay) butter, which by the way is NOT a dairy product, is actually a solid fat substance that comes from the crushed nuts of the shea tree, which are local to Africa.
I’m sure you’ve seen this variant on practically every kind of beauty product. (lotions, shampoos, conditioners, lip balms, moisturizers, etc…), that sometimes it feels a little overwhelming.
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But with good reason!
Shea butter has proven itself in the beauty world as a super moisturizer!
It’s popularity as a moisturizer goes back to the days of Cleopatra. She supposedly loved shea butter so much, that she would have caravans of jars filled with shea butter on stand by.
So what exactly makes shea butter, better?
Shea butter works as an effective skin and hair conditioning agent because it helps retain moisture on the skin or scalp’s surface. It does this by forming a protective barrier that prevents water loss and skin dehydration. For our hair, the shea butter helps in conditioning the scalp to make hair stronger and less prone to damage.
Shea butter is also popular for being friendly for different skin types since the fatty acids mimic the sebum that our skin naturally produces.
As if that wasn’t great news already, the oils in shea butter are rich with vitamins E and A. This makes it effective in treating irritated, cracked, or blemished skin. (Looking at you again Philippine weather). The abundance of vitamins also means that it is loaded with antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from free radicals. But it doesn’t stop there! The vitamins also promote cell regeneration and even boost collagen production, to help you get that plump and youthful glow.
While it isn’t exactly practical to get clay filled jars full of this ivory white magical butter to accommodate our Cleopatra style beauty habits, we do agree it's practically a must have for our beauty regimen!
So at Bare Necessities MNL, we’ve taken the liberty of adding it as a staple ingredient to some of our products. From soap bars to shampoo bars, we’re sure you’ll find something that helps you achieve that major moisturization you definitely deserve.
Sources:
Afrobella. (2014, September 30). 5 Facts About Shea Butter You Didn't Know. Retrieved
October 10, 2020, from
https://www.essence.com/hair/natural/5-facts-about-shea-butter-you-didnt-know/
Estrada, J. (2020, February 11). Shea butter has more beauty uses than you might think. Retrieved
October 10, 2020, from https://www.wellandgood.com/shea-butter-benefits/
Important Facts about Shea Butter. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2020, from
https://www.mindfulbeauty.eu/important-facts-about-shea-butter.html
Watson, K. (2019, March 08). 22 Reasons to Use Shea Butter. Retrieved October 10, 2020, from
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-is-shea-butter