Focus on Ingredients: Shea Butter

Soothing, Smoothing Shea Butter

Shea butter’s origins go as far back as Cleopatra's Egypt, where it was carried in large clay jars for cosmetic use. (sheabutter.com)

Shea butter (karité) is actually the fat that is extracted from the nuts of a shea (s'í) tree. Shea trees are native to West Africa, and most shea butter still comes from that region. It is off-white in color and has a solid consistency at room temperature. It has been used as an ingredient in skin and hair care products for thousands of years. 

Benefits to the Skin

With its natural vitamins and fatty acids, shea butter is a very effective natural skin protector and moisturizer. It helps protect the skin’s natural oils and remedy dry skin. Besides assisting in the softening and strengthening the skin, it can aid in wrinkle reduction and tissue cell regeneration. In fact, a study from the American Journal of Life Sciences claims that shea butter boosts collagen production.

It is also a known anti-inflammatory.

“When applied to the skin, shea triggers cytokines and other inflammatory cells to slow their production. This may help minimize irritation caused by environmental factors, such as dry weather, as well as inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema.” (Healthline)

Products that include shea butter can be used for post-sun skin care, as a cuticle cream, as a massage cream, on the hair and scalp, as a lip balm, as a balm to help lessen stretch marks, to put in homemade foundation (makeup), and more. It can even safely be used on babies! 

Our Products

At Heliotrope, we use all-natural, high-quality shea butter in many of our products. Stand-outs include: 

Shea Beeswax Hand & Cuticle Therapy - This thick, healing cream penetrates the skin, turning dry, cracked, parched skin into fresh, supple and healthy skin. It also doubles as a great massage cream! Available fragrance free, or customize with any essential oil blend you like!

Soy Wax and Shea Butter Massage Candles - Use as a candle AND a moisturizing massage oil! With botanical oils and wax from soybeans, nourishing coconut oil and creamy shea butter, it’s super good for your skin! Treat yourself! Available in black fig cardamom, citrus nutmeg, honey amber, lavender sage, neroli jasmine, and sandalwood bergamot essential oil blends. The large candle has a 30 hour burn time. 

Find more SF Heliotrope all-natural products that contain Shea Butter ----> here.

What do you like about shea butter? What is your favorite product that contains shea butter? Tell us in the comment box below!