100﹪Organic Raw, Unrefined Shea Butter
Shea utter comes from the seeds of the African shea tree. It's primarily used in cosmetics for its healing and moisturizing benefits. Shea butter can be found in both refined and unrefined forms. Refined shea butter goes through more processing and chemical treatment than raw or unrefined versions.
Unrefined shea is usually removed from the seeds by hand using a time-consuming process. Workers gather the seeds, which are about the size of a walnut, then boil them -- making the shells easier to remove. The boiled seeds dry and then pounded to break open the shells. Any bits of broken shell are removed so that the inner seed can be beaten along with water and then boiled to extract the fat. As the fat cools, it's whipped to make a smooth, usable product. If you purchase raw shea butter, it's unrefined and unfiltered, so flecks of impurities may remain as raw shea butter isn't usually passed through cheesecloth or commercial strainers. Unrefined shea butter may be filtered through cheesecloth, or another means, as long as the quality of the butter isn't affected.
Benefits of Unrefined Shea Butter
Unrefined shea butter acts as a barrier against moisture loss, making it invaluable in cosmetics and soap. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that support skin cells and protects against infection and irritation. The processing involved to refine shea butter may compromise these beneficial properties; added chemicals and fragrance increase the chance of allergies or irritation. Commercially refined shea butter may also contain fillers, such as other inferior oils.
Unrefined shea has a beige or yellow tinge but is never purely white. Lack of color is an indication the butter has been refined.
6 Benefits of Topical Use of Shea Butter
1. Key Ingredient for Natural Skin Care
Raw shea butter is a great natural ingredient because it acts as a moisturizer and gives a nice glow to the skin. It helps make the skin supple by providing hydration; and therefore, is an amazing skin conditioning agent.
2. Provides Anti-Aging Properties
Raw shea butter helps tissue cell regeneration and softening of the skin, which reduces wrinkles. The American Journal of Life Sciences reported a clinical study involving 30 volunteers in which shea butter diminished various signs of aging. In another clinical study for dry, delicate or aging skin, 49 volunteers applied shea butter twice daily and discovered that it prevented photo aging. It is also shown to boost collagen production, which is essential for skin strength.
3. Moisturizes Both Scalp and Hair
Shea butter seals in moisture, conditioning the scalp, alleviating dandruff and providing overall protection from harsh climates — much like how coconut oil works for hair. You can use it on your scalp, hair or both to improve your health and appearance.
Gently warm the shea butter to soften it and rub thoroughly through your hair and scalp. For best results, leave on for 20–30 minutes. Then, rinse, shampoo and condition as normal. It can actually provide volume when applied to just the roots when styling!
4. Relieves Windburn, Sunburn and Winter Dry Skin
Raw shea butter is perfect to help eliminate that itchy winter skin! Its moisturizing qualities penetrate deep into the skin offering more moisturizing benefits while preventing windburn. It’s perfect for cracked and dry heels, hands, rough elbows and knees.
It can be used as homemade sunscreen, shea butter also protect your skin from the sun and is a much healthier choice because most sunscreens are filled with noxious chemicals that penetrate the skin and enter our bodies. These chemicals can cause disease-causing inflammation and numerous other problems. While the SPF is about 6, it can provide some protection in a more natural way and is perfect underneath makeup.
5. Reduces Stretch Marks, Scarring and Cellulite
How do you get rid of cellulite and stretch marks? While many believe that Retin-A and laser treatments are the only way to diminish stretch marks, raw shea butter may help. Because of its amazing healing properties and hydrating qualities, shea butter can possibly reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scarring as well as cellulite by smoothing and softening the skin.
6. Prevents Diaper Rash for Babies
Shea butter makes a great diaper rash ointment for your baby because of its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that can fight off yeast. Raw shea butter can help improve blood circulation promoting cell regeneration while providing improved collagen production.
Both cell regeneration and collagen production are important to healing diaper rashes quickly. Since most children are exposed to a large number of chemicals through the numerous products found on the shelf, this is the perfect DIY solution to help avoid those chemicals and ensure comfort and rapid healing for your baby.
