Despite its name, shea butter is not true dairy butter, nor is there any such animal known as the shea that gives shea milk. However, it looks like and has the consistency and look of dairy butter, and has been used in the preparation of fried foods in West Africa for many centuries. It is also one of the best natural skin care products available; women from countries like Gambia, Benin and Dahomey have used shea butter as a moisturizer and emollient for generations.
Where Does It Come From?
As you now know, shea butter is from a plant notice to West Africa; its range stretches across the continent like a belt running from Uganda in the east to Senegal in the west.
The fruit of the shea tree is crushed and boiled in order to extract the vegetable fat. This in turn is used not only as a food source but in a number of shea butter products. Those with sensitive skin care needs will be glad to know that shea butter lotion is useful in treating such conditions as:
eczema
rashes
acne
psoriasis
ultraviolet damage
There are also shea butter products useful for medicinal purposes, such as the treatment of insect bites, burns and even scarring.
The Magic Ingredient
One of the naturally-occurring substances that is found in shea butter lotion and other products is called cinnamic acid. In case you were wondering, it is indeed similar and has the same biochemical composition as the cinnamon used in desserts and breakfast dishes.
Unfortunately, this ingredient tends to degrade and is lost over time. This is why fresh shea butter moisturizer is better than a product that has sat on the shelf for a long time and may have lost its effectiveness.
Buy Only The Best
Like many commodities, shea butter is graded according to quality. Class A is the very best, and is used for the manufacture of the very best shea butter lotions and other natural skin care products used for healing. Class F is of very poor quality; while it may be a suitable additive for other sensitive skin care products such as soaps or shea butter moisturizers, this grade lacks the healing properties that the Class A substance offers.
It is important to make sure that you purchase only pure shea butter, and that it is as fresh as possible in order to get the full benefit. Sometimes, shea butter products have been adulterated with perfumes and cheap 'fillers.' Pure shea butter costs more, but the extra expense will definitely be worth it when it comes to healing properties.
Benefits Of Shea Butter
What makes this ingredient so remarkable is that it is one of the few ingredients that can be consumed. In many parts of the world, it is used as cooking oil.
Shea butter is considered to be a healthy alternative to any other form of emollient. It is not the most aromatic food in the world however it is used to promote healthy cooking and healthy skin.
It is made from the fruit of the Shea Tree. The process is really quite simple. The fruit is removed from the tree and then boiled and crushed into a green, creamy substance. It is world renowned for it healing properties; however it is also renowned for its anti-aging properties.
While many people do not realize the full potential of what this substance's properties really are, they are not aware that this skin care ingredient is in almost everything that they purchase.
The characteristics of Shea Butter reach far beyond just creams and moisturizers. It is used to heal conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, chapped lips burns and scars. Many people often choose a product because they recognize the name instead of looking at the ingredients. Often, there are ingredients that can aggravate symptoms instead of alleviating them.
While many people view this substance as just a type of moisturizer included in lotion, its benefits are much more powerful and extensive than that. It is one of the most amazing products that are all natural and have virtually no side effects.
The higher amount of Shea Butter that is in a product means the better the product will work. No matter if it is a shampoo or skin care product you use, if you find it difficult to keep your hair or skin moisturized, then this stuff will amaze you. It may cost a little more than the regular products you purchase, however it is well worth the extra cost.
It seems like the benefits are limitless, including protection against harmful sunlight and UV rays. This is a major factor in its use as an anti-aging product.
A natural moisturizer and skin firmer, shea butter promotes the healing of skin, while working to prevent dryness and wrinkles. When choosing an anti wrinkle product, be sure to consider one with this component.
Please note that with any skin care product made to reduce wrinkles, results may take up to one month or longer. But, don't get discouraged. Some anti-aging skin care products may claim that you can start to see results within one or two weeks, however normally for most people, it may be more like four weeks before big changes are visible.
It is important that you understand the uses of all products that you use. Finding information regarding Shea Butter is not difficult, all you need to do is a Google search to find as much information as you need.
Both Anne Harvester & Ken Black are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Anne Harvester has sinced written about articles on various topics from Holidays, Supplements and Online College. Anne is a frequent user of Cleure products. They offer safer, eco-friendly, personal care and cosmetics products for all ages. No other source is as trusted for you and your loved one's safe personal care products.. Anne Harvester's top article generates over 60500 views. Bookmark Anne Harvester to your Favourites.
Ken Black has sinced written about articles on various topics from Network Marketing, Acne Treatment and Mortgage. Ken Black is the owner of Skin Care Reviews, a website all about skin care. Visit us for more information on Shea Butter and other skin care produc. Ken Black's top article generates over 368000 views. Bookmark Ken Black to your Favourites.
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