Shea butter – “woman’s gold” when it comes to skin

Have you heard of Shea Butter? A skin cream so good and so nutritious it is being used in chocolate and patisseries.

What is more Shea Butter is highly regarded for its ability to heal.

It comes from a tree known locally as ‘woman’s gold’, and grows as a nut on trees from the savannah belt of West Africa, from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east. Indeed it really is woman’s gold because its recent popularity has transformed the lives of women, allowing them to set up businesses and look after their children.

Here’s the science bit…

Shea- butter - very healing

The moisturising properties in Shea Butter are the same as the moisturisers produced by the Sebaceous glands in the skin. That makes it a superb moisturiser which melts at body temperature and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling (I know this because I just tried it).

Because the cream is exceptionally high in its unsaponifiable quality (unrefined Shea butter is up to 17% unsaponifiable, most natural oils are less than 1%) it is believed that Shea butter has a high potency in important nutrients, vitamins, and other valuable phytonutrients required for healing, particularly vitamins A and E.

The natural cream has been noted to improve a number of skin conditions including blemishes, itching, eczema, psoriasis, lichen sclerosis and other forms of dermatitis. Additionally Shea Butter is used for insect bites, frost bite, small skin wounds and sunburn.

Pregnant mothers are also enjoying using the cream on their bellies to prevent stretch marks. The list of benefits could go on (so I’ve included a bigger list below).

We’ve found a Shea Butter which is organic and hasn’t been tested on animals. It comes combined with grapefruit, tea tree, lemongrass or lavender – all bearing a wonderfully fresh aroma.

This traditional balm is reaping dividends for both its users and producers. As one report noted, “For years, we have used it for everything. It cures our ills and fills our bellies. Now it is filling our pockets.”

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Shea Butter is used for: Dry skin, fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, blemishes, dark spots, skin discolourations, chapped lips, stretch marks, wrinkles, soothing, daily face and body moisturiser, nappy rash, stings, minor burns (including sunburn), cracked skin, dermatitis, arthritis, athlete’s foot, after shave balm, scalp irritation, lip balm, massages, blisters, sun cream (up to SPF6).