Natural oils, given to us by nature, often find their use in cosmetology. There is nothing surprising about this. The fact is that the valuable composition of oils cannot be compared with any other skin care product. This natural product allows us to look younger, forgetting about wrinkles and many other cosmetic problems.
Shea butter occupies a special and most honorable place in this matter. After all, the composition of this unique product may well be the envy of any, even the most expensive creams.
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.
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits of shea for facial skin:
- instant effect - after the first procedure, the face becomes moisturized, soft and tender;
- hypoallergenic - with the exception of individual cases of individual intolerance, shea fruit extract is suitable even for infants;
- rejuvenation, slowing down the signs of aging of the skin - shea butter reduces the severity of age-related changes, including wrinkles;
- combating peeling and dryness of not only the skin of the face, but also lips, eyes, and the whole body;
- protection of the epidermis from the sun, wind, frost;
- the ability to use the product at any time of the year;
- a sufficient range of products in different price categories.
Disadvantages of shea butter:
- texture that makes it difficult to quickly apply the product;
- slow absorption;
- the risk of purchasing a counterfeit;
- high price;
- the likelihood of developing an undesirable reaction (comedones, dryness, acne, etc.).
Obtaining oil
The healing product from the seeds of the unique shea tree can be prepared in two ways. One of them is manual, and the second is industrial.
The first method of obtaining oil is the most labor-intensive and requires a lot of patience. When using it, the seeds are crushed in mortars, and then a small amount of water is added to the resulting mass. The mixture is thoroughly ground until a brown paste is formed.
The next step is the rinsing process. It is carried out until foam forms, which is then collected and then boiled. The topmost layer of the resulting broth is removed and left to cool. This substance, which looks like baked milk, is the famous shea butter.
Modern technical developments also make it possible to obtain this product. In the production method, shea butter seeds go through the stages of heat treatment, filtration, bleaching, and then deodorization. The resulting product has an attractive snow-white color and is devoid of a specific odor.
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.
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.
Where to buy and how to store
Many natural cosmetics and organic products stores sell the oil. Shea butter is also sold online. Regardless of the chosen method, do not hesitate to ask the seller for a certificate of quality. It is believed that the product obtained in African countries - Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, etc. - has the greatest value. For the official sale of goods in Russia, special documents must be available.
The price range of shea butter is quite wide. The cost of the product is influenced by various factors: brand, country of origin, method of production, presence/absence of additional processing (refining), etc. Today, on various trading platforms you can purchase the following options for shea butter:
- from the Russian company Botanika - 30 ml at a price from 180 to 260 rubles;
- Royal Forest shea butter - 370 rubles per 150 g;
- product Paradise Jungle from Institut Karite Paris - 50 ml costs approximately 960 rubles;
- Enriched Shea Butter from the Anna Lotan brand - about 1,600 rubles for 75 ml. The product also contains macadamia and cocoa oils, etc.
There are also offers to sell whipped shea butter. It is called airy and compared in texture to a delicate soufflé. You can prepare such a product at home by combining 70–80% shea butter and 20–30% of another base oily liquid in one container. The mixture is whipped to a meringue state and stored in a sterile cream jar.
If possible, before purchasing, evaluate what shea butter looks and smells like. The highest quality is considered to be yellow-cream or yellowish-gray oil with small inclusions and a pronounced nutty smell. Remember that the unrefined product retains a little more nutrients. However, oil that has undergone additional processing also contains a lot of nutritional components. It completely loses vitamin E, but retains fatty acids. Some women buy white refined oil because it remains usable longer.
Advice. Try to choose an organic product without hexane (it’s good if there is such a mark on the package).
Shea butter can be stored for 2-3 years, and not necessarily in the refrigerator. Just choose a dark place that is kept at room temperature. When scooping a small amount of product from a jar, use a sterile cosmetic spatula. This will extend the life of the oil and preserve useful components in it.
If you leave a bottle of shea butter open or in a hot place, a few days will be enough for the product to deteriorate. This will be indicated by an unpleasant, rancid odor. It is advisable to keep the oil in a glass container, even if you purchased it in a plastic or other container.
Look for shea butter in stores that sell basic ingredients for making cosmetic creams. This is what experienced bloggers advise.
Gentle care
One of the most unique forms of cosmetics is facial cream soufflé. With shea butter and other healing ingredients, it can be seen on the shelves of many health stores. It was not by chance that the product received this name. The fact is that in its consistency it resembles an appetizing and airy dessert cream. The incredibly delicate structure of the product is loved by many women.
Such creams contain ingredients used in conventional cream making. These are saturated and fatty shea butters, grapes, coconut, etc. All these ingredients are thoroughly whipped, acquiring an airy and light structure. At the same time, all the ingredients become very useful, including shea butter for the face. Consumer reviews confirm that such products perfectly moisturize and soften the skin, and also smooth out wrinkles that appear on it. At the same time, replenishment of the epidermis occurs much faster than when using conventional creams. In addition, the cosmetic soufflé will not leave residue on the face like a greasy film after use.
Thanks to the delicate structure of the product, shea butter for the face produces maximum effect. User reviews claim that this cream has a particularly beneficial effect on the skin, clogging pores and eliminating many imperfections. Cosmetologists claim that this product perfectly restores all damaged cells. This results in facial skin becoming silky, soft and soft.
Contraindications to use of the product
The only contraindication that was identified during testing of African oil is individual intolerance. Since this product is exotic, before using it you must check whether you are allergic to its components. 1 hour before starting to use the product, apply a little oil heated in your hands to the bend of your elbow. If red dots or other negative signs do not appear on the skin within the specified time, then you can start using shea butter.
In addition, the product is not used if the condition of the skin and mucous membranes is unsatisfactory, namely:
- for serious dermatological diseases, especially in an advanced stage;
- with severe inflammatory formations on the skin (ulcers, severe irritation);
- for diseases of the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Since shea butter increases the activity of the sebaceous glands, it is not applied as a separate product to skin prone to excessive oiliness. In this case, the product is supplemented with appropriate ingredients.
Possible side effects
In case of individual intolerance to the product or incorrect use, unpleasant consequences may occur in the form of:
- small rash;
- acne;
- itching sensations;
- oily shine on the skin.
The listed side effects can be avoided if you follow the rules for using shea butter and follow the following recommendations:
- Avoid using an exotic product after its expiration date. Do not regret the money spent and feel free to throw away expired oil: the oxidized composition will not help your skin, but will only cause harm.
- Be sure to conduct a test to identify individual intolerance to the composition. This must be done every time you purchase oil from another manufacturer.
- If your skin is oily, mix the product with appropriate ingredients that reduce the pronounced moisturizing effect of the main component.
- Do not forget to cleanse your face before applying shea butter or masks from it: remove any cosmetics, scrub and steam the skin.
- The product should not be used continuously. The product forms a kind of film on the surface of the face, the constant presence of which provokes the appearance of inflammatory phenomena. Do not exceed the maximum period of external use of shea butter without interruption, which is 2 months.
In order not to waste time preparing masks, many people decide to add the product to ready-made cosmetic products for the face. It is not recommended to do this, since commercial drugs often contain artificial components, the penetration of which into the skin is extremely undesirable. If formulations are enriched with shea butter, this situation is very likely. It has the ability to transport any substances into the deep layers of the skin.
Independent cosmetic product
Shea butter for facial skin can also be used as an independent substance. There is no need to add other ingredients to it. For what purposes is pure shea butter used for the face? User reviews confirm that the natural African product is effective as:
- Masks.
- Crema.
- Sunscreen.
Shea butter for the face can be used for any type of skin. Moreover, it is effective even when there are open wounds on the face or it is susceptible to any dermatological disease.
Due to its excellent moisturizing properties and the absence of chemical impurities, the natural African product is used to protect the skin of newborns.
If you decide to use shea butter for your face as an independent cosmetic element, then you can take it straight from the jar. Only hands must be pre-disinfected. In this case, the shea butter will easily melt from the temperature of your fingers. This greatly simplifies the procedure for applying it to the skin.
Efficiency of use of the product and compositions based on it
As a rule, the first results with regular use of shea butter become noticeable after one course of procedures. The latter can be from 1 to 2 months (depending on the specific composition). If you choose a mask according to your skin type, the effect will be noticeable after just a few procedures. To smooth out superficial wrinkles, it is necessary to conduct sessions for at least a month, adhering to the recommended frequency.
To achieve a stable result and reduce the severity of deep age-related defects, the use of masks or oil in its pure form must be resumed after a break. Monitor the condition of your skin: if you notice positive changes, continue using the product for several courses. If there are no visible results, replace shea butter with another natural product, as it does not always give 100% results.
Since the product is made in Africa, it is not cheap. For high-quality unrefined shea butter in a 500 ml container you will have to pay at least 1000 rubles.
Real shea butter is made in Africa and cannot be cheap
Shea butter in masks
An amazing product from the fruit of a tree growing in Africa has been used for cosmetic purposes since the time of Cleopatra. Thanks to this component, you can talk about the beneficial effects of creams and masks after just a few uses. Women of any age can use shea butter. But this product is especially recommended for those over 30. Moreover, ladies in this age category can achieve the maximum effect by applying nourishing and toning masks.
How to prepare this cosmetic product at home? First of all, you need to heat 2 tbsp. l. shea butter in a water bath, adding 1 teaspoon of lemon peel powder, one chicken egg yolk and 1 tbsp. l. rosehip oil This product is perfect for frequent use, as it has no contraindications.
Also, many women will like a face mask with shea butter, which has regenerating and toning properties. To prepare it, mix equal parts of coconut and shea butter, as well as pre-grated pulp of aloe leaves. The healing composition is applied to the skin of the face, left for 20 minutes, and then washed off with warm water.
To prepare a mask that produces a nourishing and softening effect, you need to mix shea butter with natural honey and olive oil in equal quantities. Then add one peeled banana to the resulting mixture.
What other reviews does shea butter get? For face masks, in addition to the natural African product, wonderful ingredients such as natural honey, wheat germ and jojoba can be added. All of the listed components are taken in equal quantities and mixed thoroughly. According to cosmetologists, this face mask with shea butter perfectly nourishes and moisturizes the skin well.
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.
Shea butter in creams
Products containing an exotic product made from the fruits of the shea tree are perfect for sensitive and dry skin. Shea butter face cream is made from a mixture of healing ingredients. It contains 4 teaspoons of almond oil and 2 teaspoons of shea butter, as well as essential oils of blue chamomile and lavender. The resulting mixture should thicken, and for this it should be placed in the refrigerator.
Various ingredients can be added to creams made from an exotic African product. However, it is worth remembering that to prepare the nutritional product, it is advisable to heat shea butter in a water bath, the temperature of which should not be higher than 38-40 degrees. Yes, you will spend a certain amount of time, but the result, without any doubt, will exceed all expectations.
Using this method, a deep moisturizing cream is also prepared. It includes:
- 50 g shea butter;
- 40 ml cinnamon tincture;
- 30 g wax (beeswax);
- 10 ml orange juice;
- 4 drops of sandalwood essential oil;
- 10 ml avocado oil.
At the initial stage, melt the wax and mix it with shea. Only after this the remaining ingredients are added to the composition and mixed thoroughly. It is advisable to store this cream in a glass container.
Shea butter is without a doubt a valuable product for the preparation of cosmetics. However, even in its natural form it brings many benefits. So, cosmetologists recommend applying shea butter to your face at night instead of cream. Reviews from women who use this product confirm that their skin pleases them with freshness and elasticity.
Contraindications and side effects
An oil solution produced using cold pressing or the classical method rarely causes unwanted reactions. Usually, side effects in the form of allergies occur due to the use of low-quality products.
The use of shea butter is not recommended in the following cases:
- hypersensitivity to components;
- allergic reactions to latex;
- nut intolerance;
- childhood;
- pregnancy.
Attention! The use of an oil solution during pregnancy and childhood is contraindicated due to the lack of scientific research confirming the safety of the product.
Fighting wrinkles
The product, extracted from the fruit of the shea tree, helps prevent skin aging. Shea butter is often used for wrinkles. Reviews from cosmetologists confirm that this product restores and nourishes skin cells, making it elastic, and also retains moisture in the stratum corneum. In this case, wrinkles disappear completely or become less noticeable.
Using shea butter for this purpose is very simple. Every day in the mornings and evenings it should be applied to those areas of the skin where there are wrinkles. Additionally, these same areas can be lubricated with oil during the day. Before performing this procedure, the skin must be cleansed of powder, foundation and other products.
Wrinkles can be effectively eliminated using creams that contain essential oils in addition to shea butter. Hot compresses with an exotic African product will also help get rid of wrinkles on the face. To carry them out, shea butter is placed in a towel or napkin. They are folded into a strip, the width of which is 20-25 cm. Next, a towel or napkin with shea butter is dipped into hot water. Then squeeze it out and apply it to the face. The middle part of such a compress should be on the lower part of the chin, and its ends should be placed on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Only the nostrils and mouth should not be covered.
The compress is held for 2-3 minutes, after which the skin is wiped and rinsed with cold water. And in this case, shea butter for the face against wrinkles works great. Reviews from women who regularly undergo this procedure indicate its effectiveness. The skin becomes elastic and wrinkles are eliminated.
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
Protection from active sun
In order to eliminate the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, you will need to prepare a special cream, which also includes shea butter. The product must be obtained in a water bath. This will require the use of suitable utensils. You will need to mix all the ingredients in a glass container.
At the first stage, you need to take two oils - shea butter (in a volume of 3 tbsp.) and avocado (in a volume of 6 tbsp.). Mix the ingredients and add 1 tbsp. l. beeswax. Next, zinc oxide (2 tbsp) is poured into the mixture, and then vitamin E is dissolved in it in the volume of one capsule. Store the finished cream in the refrigerator in a container with a tightly closed lid, applying it immediately before going outside on a hot sunny day.
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.
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.
