Shea butter is a natural plant extract that helps maintain healthy, attractive skin and hair. It has numerous health benefits, including the ability to eliminate rashes and blemishes. It also aids in moisturizing skin and hair and protects skin from free radicals, like sun and pollution. Does this Spark an idea?
Origin
Shea butter comes from the Shea-Karite tree, which can only be found in Africa. Shea butter is removed from the tree by boiling the Shea-Karite nuts to remove the liquid inside. This liquid turns hard at cooler temperatures and is the only ingredient in pure shea butter. Some manufacturers use chemical processes to refine the shea butter, and some add other ingredients to alter the color (making it whiter) or smell. Pure shea butter usually has a strong, nutty smell.
Appearance
Pure shea butter ranges in color from pale yellow to dark yellow and is a smooth, solid substance that liquefies when exposed to heat. Refined shea butter usually has a lighter color. Shea butter that has been heavily refined is usually white.
Skin Benefits
Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, which help moisturize skin and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. These vitamins soothe damaged skin and eliminate rashes, burns, blemishes and dryness. Vitamin F further moisturizes skin and also serves as a protective, healing barrier against sun and wind damage, as well as preventing pollutants from harming the skin. Shea butter has been known to fight psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions that cause rashes and irritation.
Hair Benefits
Shea butter can be applied directly to the hair to add moisture and protect against damage from the sun and other environmental elements. Shea butter absorbs into the hair and scalp quickly, healing damaged and brittle hair follicles and promoting healthy hair from the inside out.
Storage
Shea butter has an extremely low melting point, so it melts in almost any heat. Because of this, some people like to store it in the refrigerator. Shea butter maintains the best consistency when it is stored in a cool place, but even when it is melted it retains its healing properties. Shea butter loses strength over time and can eventually go bad, particularly when stored improperly. You will know if this has occurred because it will have a rancid, sour smell.
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