Shea Butter. Properties and use for the face in its pure form, whipped, recipes for use against wrinkles, instead of cream. Reviews and advice from cosmetologists

A spreading tree, long-lived, native to West Africa, which has gained worldwide fame thanks to the oil obtained from the fruits, which appear only after this plant reaches the age of 50 years - such a question could be asked in one of the TV quiz shows. We're willing to bet that many of us know the correct answer. This is the Shea tree, better known as Shea. The extremely popular oil also bears the same name. But despite the obviousness of the answer, what do we really know about this African visitor?

Shea butter composition

Shea butter is extracted from a plant called Shea butter, which is native to the African continent. Shea butter lives for more than one century and during this time reaches a height of 20 meters. At 20 years old it blooms, and at 50 it begins to bear fruit. Interestingly, only the fair sex is allowed to pick shea fruits, because their hands can handle this work carefully and accurately.

It is the fruits that are used to extract healing oil.

Shea butter has an aromatic, nutty odor.

It is classified into several types:

A – raw;
B – refined;
C – has a high degree of purification;
D – has a minimum amount of impurities;
E – contains impurities.

The oil contains more than 80% triglycerides and only 20% unsaponifiable fats.

Unsaponifiable fats are:

caristerols;
carbohydrates.

Triglycerides contain different types of acids:

oleic and linoleic;
stearic and palmitic;
arachine, linolenic and myristic.

The oil contains a huge number of vitamins that have the most beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.

Origin

Since time immemorial, shea butter has been used by Africans. And this happens because, thanks to its valuable properties, it is able to have a beneficial effect.

Shea butter is produced from the fruit of a tree that has several names. These are colo and kare, shea and shi. This tree grows in the savannas of Nigeria and Senegal. It is also grown in Sudan, Mali and Ghana. Externally, shea butter is similar to oak. This similarity gives it a hard trunk and a long lifespan (up to 300 years).

The pits are extracted from shea fruits, which are similar in appearance to miniature avocados. They are the direct source of healing oil. The seeds are fried or boiled, and then thoroughly chopped.

Effects of shea butter on the skin

Shea butter has a general softening effect on the skin, allowing you to achieve the following goals:

softening areas of the body that have become rougher;
caring for people with different skin types, including dry skin;
skin nutrition;
rejuvenating and toning skin that has withered and become wrinkled;
restoration of fibers that are responsible for collagen synthesis;
UV protection;
prevention of skin diseases;
healing of the smallest wounds (cracks or burns, frostbite and cuts);
high-quality care for sensitive skin, including babies;
improvement of complexion;
hair care;
establishing metabolism in skin cells.

Are there any contraindications?

Shea butter properties and use for the face in its pure form is almost completely safe, it can be used even on newborns.

However, it is important to pay attention to the following features of its use:

Individual intolerance to the components of the product can provoke the development of an allergic reaction, so the first use should be minimal;
The oil has many properties, some of which have not been fully researched, so people with sensitive skin types should use it carefully;
If stored improperly (at room temperature or exposed to sunlight), the product may deteriorate and not only provide no benefit, but also cause harm. The same applies to substances that have already expired.

In order not to harm your own health, it is recommended to test for the presence of an allergic reaction during the first use. You need to apply a small part of the composition to the inside of your hand and wait half an hour; if there is no burning, redness or itching, the oil can be safely used for its intended purpose.

An important point: the oil in its pure form cannot be stored for more than 2 years, and in creams – for 3 months.

Tips from cosmetologists

The effectiveness of the product depends on its correct use:

Preheating. This is necessary to facilitate mixing of shea butter with other ingredients. The required amount of product is heated in a water bath or rubbed with your palms.
Immediate use. The oil solution is used immediately after heating to avoid re-hardening.
Mix thoroughly. To obtain a homogeneous mass, it is advisable to use a blender.
Steaming the facial skin before the procedure. For this purpose, you can use a hot towel or visit the sauna.
Scrubbing the skin. Treating your face with a scrub allows you to exfoliate dead skin particles and make the procedure more effective.
Apply the composition using light movements. During the session, it is necessary to adhere to the massage lines, which avoids overstretching of the skin.
Adequate duration of the procedure. The exposure time of the compositions depends on the components used and varies from 20 to 60 minutes.
Removing products using a napkin or cotton pads. They must first be moistened in warm milk or water.
Washing your face after the session. The skin is rinsed with cool water and blotted with a towel.

Attention! Before applying the compositions to the face, you should conduct a test to exclude allergic reactions. The prepared mixture is applied to the wrist or elbow. The skin reaction is assessed after an hour.

How to choose a quality product?

In order for the product to actually bring benefits, it is important to choose a product in the store that will be of high quality.

To do this, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

purchasing the product only at specialized points of sale;
a high-quality composition has only a light nut aroma, without admixture of other strong odors;
if the oil is heated to room temperature, it will become similar to butter, it will become just as soft and pliable;
upon contact with the body, high-quality karite begins to melt.

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How not to make a mistake when choosing: signs of a quality product

Shea butter is in high demand, so the market offers a wide selection of products. However, unscrupulous manufacturers can counterfeit the product or prepare low-quality oil.

Therefore, it is important to know the signs of quality shea butter:

pleasant and warm aroma reminiscent of nuts;
the shade can be white, beige or brownish;
The consistency is firm and dense.

A spoiled product can be identified by its characteristic odor. It is quite sharp and has some similarities to the smell of household chemicals.

Application for face depending on skin type

If you use shea butter, in accordance with the characteristics of your facial skin, on a regular basis, you can achieve an improvement in its condition, both external and internal.

Masks should be applied to previously cleansed skin for 15-20 minutes:

sensitive skin : mix lemon zest with yolk, as well as shea butter and walnut butter (1 tsp each). This composition perfectly tones, nourishes and softens the skin;
normal skin: chop a banana, add a teaspoon of honey, as well as jojoba and shea oils. This mask will significantly soften the skin, working as a peeling and at the same time nourishing it with vitamins E and A;
oily skin : mix tea tree extract with 2 tbsp. water, add 1 tsp. shea butter and white clay. This antiseptic effectively eliminates inflammation and redness, in addition, exfoliates the skin and soothes it;
for eyelid skin : to moisturize this sensitive and delicate area and reduce the number of fine lines, you can mix a teaspoon of shea and almond oils. This composition is applied to cotton pads, which are placed on the eyelids.

Shea butter has a dense structure, so it is better to use it as part of a cream applied in the evening rather than in the morning. It is best to apply it a couple of hours before going to bed, otherwise there is a high risk of swelling. It is important to apply the composition to the face and neck area only after cleansing, and then remove excess with a paper towel.

For normal skin type: mix a teaspoon of shea butter with a drop of essential oil (any: verbena has a rejuvenating effect, clove gives tone, almond whitens, jasmine moisturizes, rosewood soothes);

For oily type: mix 2 tsp. olive oil, jojoba and shea, add a drop of mint and lemon oils. This composition must be preheated in a water bath and applied to the skin: the texture of the cream will be airy, it will whiten perfectly, remove shine and relieve inflammation.

Preparing other cosmetics with African oil

In addition to masks, you can make your own creams and scrubs with the addition of exotic oils aimed at rejuvenating and healing the skin. These products are no less effective for facial care: the main thing is to follow proven recipes.

Creams

Creams prepared using shea butter can be used every other day for a standard course of 2 months. Then it is important to give the skin a rest for at least a month. The prepared compositions must be tightly closed with a lid and stored in the refrigerator (but no more than 1 week).

The following cream has a pronounced anti-aging effect:

Mix 200 grams of olive oil with cocoa, shea and coconut oils, preparing 50 grams of each product.
Add 50 grams of beeswax and heat the mixture in a water bath.
When the ingredients have melted, let the mixture cool to a comfortable temperature (this will take about 10 minutes) and beat it with a mixer, adding about 200 ml of warm water.
Lastly, pour in 10 drops of sea buckthorn and lavender oils, as well as 10 drops of tocopherol.
Whisk the mixture, place it in the refrigerator and use regularly.
Beeswax contains a significant amount of vitamin A, which is a natural antioxidant

Video: how to prepare anti-aging cream

Cream prepared from the following ingredients is very popular:

shea butter - 120 grams;
jojoba oil - 0.5 teaspoon;
apricot kernel oil - 0.5 teaspoon;
carrot seed oil - 3 drops;
rosehip oil - 5 drops.

Mix the above ingredients and beat with a mixer until a creamy consistency is obtained. Preparing the mixture will take about 5 minutes. Lubricate the surface of your face with the resulting cream every other day, about a couple of hours before bedtime.

Carrot seed oil helps even out complexion and relieve signs of fatigue

Video: whipped shea butter cream

Scrubs

Scrubs prepared with African oil will help cleanse and tone the epidermis, smooth out uneven surfaces and prevent the appearance of unpleasant wrinkles. When applying the compositions to the skin, you need to lightly massage the skin (about 2-3 minutes), avoiding the eyelid area, and then wash. At the same time, it is important to follow massage lines and use scrubbing products no more than once every 6-7 days.

For highly sensitive and dehydrated skin, you can use the following scrub:

Prepare the mixture by combining a tablespoon of shea butter and any bran (take wheat, oat or almond).
Distribute the scrub over your face and massage areas, leaving the product on the skin for half an hour.
After the specified time has passed, wash your face.
Wheat bran in the scrub deeply cleanses pores, promoting deep penetration of other components of the mixture into the dermis

For oily as well as normal skin, a coffee-sugar mixture is suitable:

Melt 200 grams of your regular cream in a water bath, adding 50 grams of shea butter to it.
When the mixture becomes liquid, cool it and beat with a mixer.
Add 150 grams of sugar and 20 grams of ground coffee.
Use after mixing.
Ground coffee in the scrub not only effectively removes dead cells, but also tones the skin

Video: coffee and sugar scrub with shea butter

Is it worth enriching purchased cosmetics with shea butter?

Instead of preparing mixtures with the addition of numerous ingredients, many decide to enrich their existing cosmetic product with shea butter. Cosmetologists do not advise doing this, since store-bought products often contain artificial impurities. When adding healing oil to them, there is a risk that such substances will penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, and this is extremely undesirable. It is important to remember that oil has the ability to carry into the dermis any components of the products used simultaneously with it.

Instead of mixing shea butter with store-bought products, it is better to prepare simple homemade moisturizing compositions, because the product goes well with a large number of base oils (coconut, avocado, almond, cocoa, apricot and grape seed) and essential oils (ylang-ylang, lavender, jasmine, tea tree , rose, lemon balm, chamomile).

Proper use in its pure form

The properties of shea butter allow its active use on the face as creams and in its pure form:

In the form of a lip cream that will maintain softness and well-groomed appearance even in the most severe frosts.
You can apply it to those areas of the body that quickly become rough (heels, knees, elbow joints), shea butter will soften them perfectly.
The oil can be rubbed into the body after visiting a pool with chlorinated water or swimming in the salt sea; in addition, it will perfectly soothe the skin after ultraviolet exposure.
For additional nourishment of hair follicles, you can add a teaspoon of oil to the conditioner used after washing your hair.
In winter, when the central heating is active, you can lubricate your facial skin, which is red and flaky, with this oil.
To make decorative cosmetics last longer on your eyelids, you can apply a little product to your cheekbones and eyelids.
You can moisturize your feet by rubbing them with shea butter before leaving the house. Walking in shoes warms up the oil, and it begins to actively moisturize the skin.
Before coloring your hair, you can apply a small amount of the substance to your hairline. This method will protect the skin from stains from the dye.

Shea butter, properties and use for the face in its pure form are no different from use for hands, feet or hair.
Skin that has been exposed to shaving can be treated with shea butter: this will soothe it and relieve irritation.
Young children can be treated with this substance after bathing to protect their sensitive skin from diaper rash and irritation.
The oil works well against stretch marks that occur during pregnancy.
If wounds or burns appear, you can use shea butter to speed up their healing.
Shea butter moisturizes the cuticle well and strengthens the nail plates.
To take care of eyelashes and eyebrows, you can apply the substance to their surface daily.
To enhance the nutritional properties of the lotion, just drop a little shea butter into it.
Oil can be used on hair to give shape to hairstyles or to highlight individual strands.
Shea butter relieves itching and irritation caused by insect bites.
Before going to bed, you can apply the product to your hands and feet, then put on cotton socks and gloves. The next morning the skin will be soft and tender.
If you apply a little oil to your wrists, neck and collarbone, and then sprinkle some perfume on these areas, the scent will last much longer.
You can take a bath with shea butter, which will help moisturize the skin.
Oil applied to the skin before going out in the sun will protect the skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays.
To protect your skin from moisture loss during a long flight, you can apply shea butter to your face and body.

Beneficial features

Since ancient times, the inhabitants of the African continent have used shea butter to prepare a variety of dishes. This product is very nutritious. In addition, it is a worthy substitute for the butter and sunflower oil familiar to Europeans.

Thanks to the fatty acids contained in the natural African product in the human body:

all intercellular walls are strengthened;
the process of formation of hormone-like substances is accelerated;
a large amount of energy is released for life.

Shea butter is practically not used in the cooking of civilized countries. It is only occasionally used in some areas of the food industry. For example, this could be the production of chocolate or margarine. This amazing oil has gained the greatest popularity in cosmetology. It is included in a variety of creams and masks, scrubs and lipsticks, as well as medicinal balms. Shea butter is especially often used for the face. Reviews from cosmetologists confirm that this natural product has an impressive list of medicinal properties. Yes, it is capable of:

supply the skin with vitamins A, D and E, which are very necessary for it, which maintain its healthy condition and elasticity;
increase collagen formation, preventing age-related skin changes;
reduce inflammatory processes and associated tissue swelling.

In addition, shea butter has antimicrobial activity. It can increase local blood circulation, which is used during massage. Shea butter accelerates the healing of cracks, treats burns, as well as small wounds. It eliminates diaper rash and acne, and also moisturizes and nourishes the skin, while fighting flaking processes and protecting it from the aggressive effects of frost and sun, sea water, wind, etc. A unique product is also recommended for strengthening the cuticle, nail plates and hair.

In what cases is shea butter used for the face? User reviews confirm that it works great on dry and inflamed, tired and sensitive skin. Who is this unique natural remedy recommended to? For those with problematic and aging, irritated, aging and very thin skin. Natural shea butter will fill it with the elements necessary for health. In addition, when using this product, your complexion improves.

Unique shea butter is recommended by cosmetologists for problems such as:

psoriasis;
frostbite and burns;
eczema;
dermatosis;
allergy.

Using shea butter for the eyelid area

The properties and possibilities of using shea butter in its pure form for the face can significantly moisturize and nourish the skin. Shea butter has a special effect on the delicate skin of the eyelids, which requires mandatory and delicate protection. You can use this substance either alone or in combination with other means. For example, with jojoba oil.

Application: you need to take a pea of the product, melt it with the warmth of your hands and gently press it into the skin of your eyelids (you need to act very carefully so as not to overstretch the skin). Particular care should be taken to apply the oil to the area where expression lines form when squinting.

Recommendations for use and possible contraindications

Shea butter is good for caring for dry, mature, aging skin. With age, the elasticity of the skin is lost, wrinkles form on it, its surface becomes dry, flaky, with visible vascular networks.

Important! Shea butter stimulates tissue regeneration, activates metabolic processes, and protects cells from the influence of negative factors. By moisturizing the skin, its turgor increases, normalizing collagen synthesis helps improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin. As a result, wrinkles are smoothed out and skin rejuvenation occurs.

Shea butter, when used regularly and properly combined with other cosmetics, can stop skin aging, and can even partially reverse the process. The rejuvenating effect is clearly noticeable if you use shea butter for wrinkles around the eyes . The skin in this area is delicate and thin and needs special care. The components of a natural remedy obtained from shea fruit help restore the natural balance in cells. The skin is saturated with moisture and nutrients, metabolic processes are activated in it - such processes lead to the elimination of small wrinkles in the corners of the eyes.

You need to start fighting wrinkles on the forehead as early as possible. It's best before they appear. Shea butter is one of the products that can help in the prevention and treatment of this cosmetic problem. The product should be applied with gentle massaging movements. At the same time, you need to use relaxation techniques, train yourself not to wrinkle your forehead, and periodically conduct sessions of relaxing facial muscles throughout the day.

Remember! Shea butter, produced classically or by cold pressing, is well tolerated, has virtually no side effects and rarely causes an allergic reaction. Much cheaper chemically produced oil is much less beneficial and can cause skin irritation and other problems. Therefore, when purchasing oil, you need to pay special attention to its quality.

should not be used or should be used with caution in the following situations:

increased sensitivity to the product,
allergic reaction to latex in the past,
intolerance to peanuts or other nuts,
pregnancy, childhood.

There have been no clinical trials of the use of shea butter by pregnant women or children. Although many consider the product safe and in practice use it to combat stretch marks in pregnant women, and often to care for the skin of babies, no one can give a 100% guarantee of the safety of shea butter in such situations.

If you are allergic to any nuts, you should do a test on the skin of your forearm before using shea butter.

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Shea butter for lips

In order to prevent drying and cracking of the delicate skin of the lips, you need to promptly and regularly use this product to protect and moisturize them.

The healing properties of the oil will quickly restore the natural beauty of the lips, restore their shine, rich color and moisturize, protecting them from moisture loss.

You can prepare this cream:

melt the wax using a bowl that is in a saucepan with water;
pour pre-melted shea butter into it;
add the following oils to this mixture: oil, mint, chamomile;
Now it’s enough to mix in the cinnamon butter and honey.

The finished balm should be poured into a glass container, allowed to thicken and used daily, especially before going outside in frosty weather.

All ingredients will help improve the appearance of your lips:

cinnamon gives a rush of blood, which improves color;
mint cools the skin, relieving irritation;
chamomile and lemon balm heal microcracks and wounds.

In addition to this recipe, there is another, no less effective:

mix caride with jojoba;
dilute the mixture with lemon oil and rose water (you need to take 10-15 g of each ingredient);
After cooling, the balm can be applied to the lips.

Shea butter for aging facial skin

In order to stop the process of fading of facial skin and restore its lost elasticity, you need to use shea butter. The main condition: frequency of application.

To increase skin elasticity, you can use the following mask:

mix starch (18 g) with 5-7 g. shea butter;
stir them until viscous;
add dill oil;
if necessary, you can add a little distilled water.

This mask should be applied only after preliminary steaming of the skin . During application, you need to distribute the mass over the massage points, gently driving it into the pores. You need to keep this mask for no more than 20 minutes, and rinse it off with chamomile infusion.

Shea butter against acne

This substance gives a good effect when used on skin damaged by acne, pimples or acne. The natural properties of the oil not only soothe inflammation, but also reduce itching and improve the complexion. To prepare such a mask, you need to mix 5 grams of shea butter. with 7 gr. honey, melted in a steam bath.

Then add 12 drops of nut oil (ideally cashew) and no more than 5 drops of salicylate to this composition. It is better to apply the mask in the evening; the skin must first be cleansed of impurities and remnants of decorative cosmetics. After half an hour, the mass is washed off using a pre-prepared calendula decoction.

How is shea butter used in cosmetology?

Shea butter has found wide application in skin care. It is used both independently and as part of cosmetic products, namely:

sun protection;
massage;
creams;
masks;
balms.

As a stand-alone facial skin care product

Used for intensive skin nutrition.
Replaces night cream. Suitable for use in autumn and winter. Shea butter is a little heavy for the warm season. Maximum results are achieved with proper use:

Cleanse skin thoroughly.
Moisturize with a tonic. Preferably on a natural basis. A tonic, decoction, hydrosol or other similar remedy will do.
Warm a small amount of product in your hands.
Apply with fingertips to damp skin. Application to a damp surface ensures better absorption of the oil by the skin.
After half an hour, remove the remains.

Contains cream

Night creams are enriched with shea butter. It is not advisable to add it to daily products due to the dense texture of the oil. Especially before applying foundation.

You can add the product directly to the jar of cream. You will need 5-10 drops depending on the volume and intensity of care.

Contains masks

In masks, shea butter acts as the main and auxiliary component. In the first case, the action is aimed at intensive hydration and nutrition. Most suitable for dry, mature and aging skin.

Use as an auxiliary component is due to its balancing effect. Softens the effects of more aggressive components. For example, essential oils.

As sunscreen

Many people know that shea butter replaces tanning creams. The skin acquires an even golden hue and is less likely to burn.

However, it also acts as an after-sun skin care product. Moreover, the effect is sometimes superior to aloe vera. Shea butter quickly relieves redness and soothes irritated skin. Also promotes rapid healing of sunburns.

Lip care

Not only the skin of the face needs nutrition, but also the lips. Shea butter softens, heals, and protects against adverse environmental conditions. The natural composition makes it absolutely safe to use.

Warm up slightly before use. Then apply with your fingertips. There are no restrictions on the duration of use.

For massage

The consistency of the product is quite thick and greasy. This is the texture that is suitable for massage. It takes a long time to be completely absorbed, so it will remain on the skin during the procedure.

Massage is carried out using massage lines:

from eyebrows to hairline;
from the chin to the earlobes;
from the wings of the nose to the temples.

Movements are made with the pads of the fingers. There should be no strong pressure or stretching of the skin, only light gliding.

Using shea butter against flaking

In order to soften skin that is prone to peeling, you can use the following recipe:

2 tsp mix shea butter with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (it can be replaced with almond, grape, sesame or corn);
add 3 drops of chamomile oil, or lemon balm, or rosewood;
mash half a banana with a fork and add the oil mixture to it;
This mask needs to be applied twice a week, its exposure time is half an hour.

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general characteristics

Oily skin is the result of overproduction of sebum from the sebaceous glands, which are located under the surface layer of the skin.

Sebum is an oily substance that protects and moisturizes the skin. However, excessive amounts of oil can lead to oily skin, clogged pores, and acne formation. Excessive sebum production can be caused by hormonal changes, genetics, stress, and climate conditions.

You can cope with oily skin and acne with the help of medicinal and folk herbal remedies.

Use for sensitive skin care

Shea butter is actively used for facial care in its pure form; its properties and use allow it to soothe the skin and prevent irritation. This skin type is characterized by increased sensitivity to environmental changes and cosmetic products.

Shea butter is not capable of causing such reactions and is therefore often used in masks:

you need to mix a tablespoon of this oil with 2 tablespoons of almond oil;
add a few drops of lavender or chamomile oil;
You can apply this mask morning and evening, using it instead of another nourishing product.

The valuable components contained in shea butter help to increase the level of skin elasticity and increase its resistance to external factors.

Experts' opinion

Cosmetologists recommend applying shea butter to sagging skin with age-related changes. The product is well suited if the skin is dry, thin and sensitive. But owners of combination and oily skin should use the product with caution: no more than once a week and only in combination with other ingredients.

If the skin is dry or flabby, it is better to use oil products 2-3 times a week. The skin needs to be prepared before the procedure:

clear;
tone with lotion;
additionally moisten before applying the oil composition with hydrosol, thermal water, etc.

It is worth remembering that even the best product does not provide comprehensive care. The use of different cosmetic ingredients and reasonable alternation of procedures help keep the skin healthy and youthful. In addition, the effectiveness of a particular component decreases with prolonged use. Therefore, after 1-2 months it is better to interrupt the course and temporarily replace the remedy with some other one.

Tanning Application

Shea butter can be used to obtain an even tan. An important feature of this product is to protect the skin from the harmful effects of harmful ultraviolet rays.

Shea butter functions:

provides an even and beautiful tan;
protects the epidermis from the sun's rays;
prevents burns and redness from forming (thanks to the B vitamins and retinol it contains);
eliminates increased dryness of the skin, which inevitably occurs when in a solarium or under the influence of sunlight.

Application of the product before sunbathing:

Be sure to exfoliate your body to exfoliate dead skin particles.
Apply the product in an even layer over the entire surface of the body.
After being in the sun, you need to take a shower and reapply oil to your body, which will soothe the skin and moisturize it.

How to select and store

Shea butter can be produced in five different types, differing in the degree of purification and, therefore, quality. Each group has its own distinctive features:

A is a natural, unrefined product of the highest quality. For its production, manual pressing is used. It is used not only in cosmetic products, but also in pharmacy for the manufacture of external preparations used in dermatology. It is a dense, light yellow substance with a slight nutty odor;
B – substance that has undergone refining. A purer substance, but due to the lack of odor it is difficult to distinguish from counterfeit;
C – purified, odorless, white product;
D is a practically unrefined substance that often causes allergic reactions due to the presence of a large number of impurities;
E is a gray substance, almost devoid of all harmful components and consisting mainly of various impurities. Such a product has no value.

When purchasing, you must first of all pay attention to the packaging, which should indicate not only the manufacturer, but also the supplier of raw materials. The product is imported mainly from countries of the African continent. Information about the expiration date for sealed and opened packaging is also required.

Shea butter has different categories

You need to pay attention to the color and, if possible, the smell of the substance. A gray tint indicates low quality raw materials, and the absence of a nutty odor from an unrefined product indicates that it is a fake.

The product can be stored in its original sealed packaging for three years. Once opened, shea butter should be used within three months. The optimal temperature for maintaining all the properties of the substance is 16o-24oC. If the oil is kept in a colder room, the product will acquire a grainy, skin-injuring consistency. Higher temperatures or direct sunlight will cause the fats to melt and go rancid, making the product unusable.

Shea butter against wrinkles

To replenish the lack of nutrients in the facial skin that are responsible for its elasticity, the use of shea butter, the properties of which perform this function both in pure form and as part of creams, helps well. Shea butter perfectly smoothes out existing wrinkles and prevents the formation of new ones.

For this purpose, you can use the following mask:

grind 20 gr. cottage cheese with 2 quail eggs;
add 3 grams to the resulting mass. shea butter;
steam your facial skin;
apply a thick layer of the mask and leave it on for 20 minutes;
wash off with a damp cloth.

What effect does it have?

Shea butter, when applied to the skin, has the following effects:

nutrition and hydration,
improvement of protective function,
suppression of free radicals,
protection from ultraviolet radiation,
slowing down the aging process,
maintaining and restoring elasticity,
smoothing wrinkles,
softening effect
improvement of microcirculation,
anti-inflammatory effect,
stimulation of cell renewal.

As a result of using shea butter, complexion improves, skin texture is restored - it becomes velvety and smooth. The effectiveness of shea butter is confirmed by the fact that the product is successfully used in the treatment of skin diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, regenerating and healing properties.

Interesting! Shea butter helps fight scars and cicatricial changes on the skin, relieves swelling and pain in joint diseases, sprains, and myositis.

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Wound healing ointment for chapped lips

In order to heal the smallest, but very painful wounds that form on the delicate skin of the lips, you can use the following ointment:

melt 10-15 gr. shi;
add the same amount of jojoba oil;
stir and remove the container from the stove;
pour 2 drops of lemon oil and at least 5 g. rose water;
After mixing all the ingredients, transfer the mixture into a jar and regularly lubricate your lips with it.

Using shea butter for oily skin

Experts advise be sure to use shea butter to care for every skin type.

However, in the case of oily skin, it is important to follow 2 rules:

The oil can be used occasionally; regular use can have a negative impact on the condition of the skin.
You should not use shea butter unchanged, so as not to clog your pores.

Those with oily skin can make themselves this mask:

mix a teaspoon of shea with white clay powder;
drop tea tree oil and pour 2 tbsp. boiled water;
After thorough mixing, apply to skin and leave for 15 minutes.

general description

Shea butter, exotic in origin, is considered a valuable cosmetic additive, which is obtained from the seeds of the tree of the same name. The culture is widespread in Africa, where it grows in the wild. The fruits of the shea tree (shea) contain nuts that contain kernels. It is from them that useful oil is extracted. In African countries this is a whole ritual.

Women collect raw materials. After this, they separate the pulp and grind the solid part of the fruit into powder in mortars. Then the resulting mass is fried, brought to a paste-like state and mixed with water. Everything is mixed by hand. The paste is placed in a container of hot water and boiled. During this, a light foam forms on the surface, which is removed and cooled, obtaining a paste-like consistency - this is shea butter.

Attention! On an industrial scale, the product is obtained by extraction using a solvent. Typically this component is hexane.

Residents of Africa widely use shea butter to care for dry skin, treat dermatological ailments, heal wounds, and also for food purposes. It is believed that the beneficial properties of shea were highly valued by Cleopatra herself, to whom this product was delivered in clay jugs. Among Europeans, the first to learn about the production of oil and its healing qualities was the explorer of central Africa, Park Mungo (late 18th century). A Scottish traveler noted the taste and shelf life of shea butter.

In Russia they started talking about this ingredient a little later - in the mid-19th century. Since 1940, full-scale research began to be carried out, which proved the value of the oil as an additive to cosmetics. Today, the exotic component is found in skin care products from many companies (for example, the French brand Loxitan, etc.).

Shea butter most often goes on sale in its original, solid form. This form is called batter. The product melts at the temperature of the human body, you just need to hold a small piece in your hands for a while.

Visually, high-quality butter looks like melted butter. It is yellow or cream in color, with a pleasant nutty smell. Refined shea butter is white in color. If the product has been further refined, it has no characteristic odor. The liquid form is less common.

You can watch videos with testimonials and reviews of shea butter from different manufacturers, as well as the process of obtaining the product. For example, there is a sufficient amount of such content on YouTube.

Shea butter to moisturize skin

To solve the problem of rough skin in the heels or knees, you can also use shea butter. The best effect is provided by a moisturizer, which will eliminate dryness, flaking and soften the skin.

You can prepare it this way:

melt shea butter (50 g), then add lemon, ylang-ylang, geranium and taman oils (3 drops each);
remove from the stove;
cool and pour into a glass container;
Apply 2 times a day (but not more often) to damaged areas of the skin, slowly rubbing it in with massage movements.

Causes of wrinkles

The process of wrinkle formation is largely due to the loss of moisture from the facial skin and a reduction in the production of collagen fibers in the dermis. The tissue frame supported by these fibers gradually begins to weaken, and areas of the face, especially in the lower part, sag. This is due to the influence of various destructive environmental factors (unbalanced diet, stress, unhealthy lifestyle, etc.), as well as the irreversible aging processes of the body as a whole.

Due to excessive dryness of the skin, superficial wrinkles appear faster. The situation is aggravated with the intensive use of facial expressions in everyday life. Already at a young age, girls can notice light wrinkles around the eyes, on the forehead and near the mouth, which do not disappear even with a neutral facial expression. Due to age factors and individual tissue elasticity indicators, they gradually turn into deeper ones.

Ptosis, which forms under the influence of elementary gravitational force, plays an important role in the sagging of the lower parts of the face. As a result, nasolabial folds become especially noticeable.

The main part of wrinkles appears in the forehead, corners of the eyes and in the area of the nasolabial triangle

Reviews on the use of shea butter for the face

Using shea butter in facial skin care always has a positive effect on its condition.

This is confirmed by numerous reviews from representatives of the fair sex:

the oil works great as a moisturizer, absorbs quickly and easily and leaves no shine;
Shea helps out after a day spent in the sun or a lot of time in the solarium. Under its influence, the skin quickly calms down, stops itching and flaking. Looks well-groomed and moisturized;
I'm pleased with the use of shea butter as a base for makeup. Unlike other products, this substance has a beneficial effect on the skin and helps maintain makeup throughout the day;
a mask with shea butter at the end of the working week restores a radiant complexion and gives it a rested and healthy look;
Shea magically gets rid of the smallest facial wrinkles and stops the process of new ones.

The use of shea butter for the face, whose beneficial properties and vitamins in its pure form have a beneficial effect on the skin, does not cause any difficulties. The minimum effort expended is rewarded with maximum results in the form of radiant, moisturized and elastic skin.

User reviews

The benefits of shea butter have been appreciated by many women suffering from various problems: dryness, flaking of the skin, the first signs of aging, etc. The author of this review is very pleased with the product and the variety of ways to use it.

The next girl replaced her hygienic lipsticks with shea butter, which she never regretted.

The girl who left this opinion uses karite during illnesses, but at the same time notes its heavy structure.

The author of the following review uses shea in various ways. I try not to apply it to my face very often.

Another girl noted that shea butter procedures take a lot of time. In addition, the product may not be suitable for every skin.

Despite some nuances, there are still more positive opinions about shea butter than negative ones. Women often doubt the quality of products from different manufacturers, but still note its effectiveness. Use shea in moderation, without fanaticism, and do not forget to take breaks between courses. Following simple rules will reduce the risk of an unwanted reaction of your skin to the oil and ensure noticeable results from using an exotic product.