What is Shea Butter? Shea butter is a peanut fat that comes from the Shea-Karite tree, which can only be found in Africa. Shea Butter After harvesting from Shea-Karite nut tree boiled to remove the liquid in it. This liquid turns out to be frozen at cold temperatures and is the only ingredient in pure shea butter. Some manufacturers use chemical processes to repair shea butter, and some add other ingredients to change the color (make it whiter). Pure shea butter usually has a strong smell.
As the name suggests, this cream is kind like butter, and has been used for centuries since the regime of Cleopatra because it contains vitamins A, E, and F are believed to moisturize and nourish the lips, face, hands, feet, hair as well as protect it from UV rays. Shea butter is even dubbed the Women’s Gold, not only because of the variety of benefits given to beauty, but also because shea butter provides jobs and income to hundreds of women in African villages.
Traditional ways to produce shea butter processes involve cracking, grinding and pounding. The beans are crushed and then boiled for several hours until the shea butter rises to the surface. But now with technological advances it is easier to extract shea butter.
Shea butter is a substance that has a very low melting point, so it melts so in contact with heat. Therefore, some people who want to keep it should put it in the refrigerator. Shea butter maintains the best consistency when kept in a cool place, Shea butter will lose strength over time and eventually can disappear, especially when stored incorrectly. You will find out when the shea butter smells rancid or sour.
Also read: Health Benefits of Shea Butter
There are two types of shea butter based on its origin:
1. East Shea Butter / Vittelaria Nilotica (from Uganda)
East Shea Butter / Vittelaria Nilotica (from uganda), at room temperature texture is semi-solid and softer than west shea butter, it is easier to use and the aroma is sweeter than west shea butter. And currently unfortunately its production is rare because of civil unrest that occurred in Uganda and Sudan.
2. West Shea Butter / Vittelaria Paradoxa (from Ghana)
West Shea Butter / Vittelaria Paradoxa (from Ghana) can melt at 65 F, and if the condition of the shea butter in semi-liquid shea butter will rapidly harden.
Also read:
Nutrients in Shea Butter
Amount Per 1 tablespoon (13.6 g)
Calories 120
% Daily Value *
- Total Fat 14 g 21%
- Saturated fat 6 g 30%
- Polyunsaturated fat 0.7 g
- Monounsaturated fat 6 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
- Sodium 0 mg 0%
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g 0%
- Dietary fiber 0 g 0%
- Sugar 0 g
- Dietary fiber 0 g 0%
- Protein 0 g 0%
- Vitamin A 0%
- Vitamin C 0%
- Calcium 0%
- Iron 0%
- Vitamin B-6 0%
- Vitamin B-12 0%
- Magnesium 0%
Indeed, here are all health benefits of shea butter for hair:
1. Get rid of dandruff
Dandruff is also a problem facing hair in cold weather, and even cause hair loss. Apply shea butter on the scalp and massage it. Then cover the head with shower cap for 20 minutes and then rinse with clean water.
Related articles:
2. Good conditioner
Not only eliminates dandruff, shea butter also protects hair from dryness, removes excess oil on the scalp, and moisturizes hair. Use twice a week and see the results.
In order for hair protected from UV rays use a Shea butter. The use of shea butter can keep the hair moist and as a natural shield for hair to resist UV rays. Use shea butter as a conditioner for long hair too.
Related articles:
3. Curly hair care
No need for expensive treatment, shea butter can be used to keep your curly hair shape.
4. Reduce dry hair and scalp
Shea Butter can treat hair damaged by staining, blow-drying and pollution. In addition, it is also very effective in soothing scalp that is itchy because of dryness and dandruff. Hair care with shea butter can also protect against salt and chlorine when applied before swimming.
5. Hair Softener
Shea butter is an oily natural fat, because it is great for softening dry, damaged hair and brittle hair. To get long soft hair, you can use it by giving shea butter to hair with a lot of use. Hair care with shea butter should be applied regularly ie twice a week for hair growth, improve hair texture and moisturize hair.
Also read:
Benefits of Shea Butter for Beauty Tricks
Indeed, here are another health benefits of shea butter for hair, but for overall treatments:
1. As Antioxidants
Shea butter contains antioxidants such as vitamins A and E. These vitamins can protect skin cells from free radicals and environmental damage that are not good for skin health. Using shea butter skin feels moist and protected from harmful UV rays for the skin.
Also read:
2. Treatment for Infants
Shea butter is an excellent natural moisturizer with no hazardous chemical content that can be used for all ages including infants. You can use shea butter in infants after bathing on baby’s skin. In addition, the use of shae butter can also cure rash in infants due to the use of diapers.
3. Stimulates collagen production
Another benefit offered by Shea Butter is to stimulate collagen products. Collagen serves to strengthen the skin, making skin more supple, prevent wrinkles, or slow aging.
4. Flatten skin tone
You have striped skin? If so, you should choose beauty products that contain Shea Butter. The reason, Shea Butter more safe and natural to disguise the stain or leveling the skin color than hydroquinone.
5. As natural sunscreen
Shea Butter is useful as a sunscreen that can protect the skin from sunburn. On the other hand, Shea Butter contains vitamin A that serves to cure skin damage and vitamin D that serves to renew dead skin cells.
Note: You should use SPF 30 sunscreen together with shea butter.
Also read:
6. Lip Care
In order to avoid chapped or dry lips, the use of shea butter during winter and summer is a natural moisturizer that you must do for the lips. You can use shea butter as a lip balm which is very good for lips and effective for treating dry and cracked lips.
7. Anti Bacterial Properties
Shea Butter has anti-bacterial properties that can help heal wounds. Black stains around forgotten marks can also be reduced. Not only that, insect bites can also be cured by using Shea Butter.
8. Cures skin disorders
In addition to helping to soften dry skin, Shea Butter is also able to cure skin disorders or skin diseases, as well as:
- Eczema
- Rash
- Itchy
- Toxic plants
- Skin is cracked
- Black spots
On the other hand, shea butter can also cure stretch marks because it contains vitamins E, A, and F that are able to keep skin hydrated.
Also read:
9. Moisturises the skin
The oil content or waxes similar to those produced by the sebaceous glands that lubricate the skin on Shea Butter can make skin supple, soft, and smooth.
10. Anti-aging
No need to spend a lot of money to buy anti-aging cream, if it can be replaced with shea butter. This material can stimulate the production of collagen thus improving the elasticity of the skin. While vitamin A and E contained in it, can also keep skin firm and supple.
The Another Benefits of Shea Butter
- Helps heal burns
- Can be used after shaving, so the skin is smoother, softer, and avoid irritation
- Overcoming insect bites on the skin
- Overcoming fatigue, pain, and tension in the muscles
- Can be used before and after strenuous exercise to prevent muscle injury (make relax)
- Overcoming skin damage due to heat (oil or water)
- Reduces under-eye wrinkle and eye bags
- As the basis of homemade deodorant
- Homemade liquid creme foundation and make up
- Can be used on eyelids before applying makeup to make it last longer
- Can even be used in the afternoon / raw noses during a cold or flu
How To Use Shea Butter For Hair
Shea butter is one of the mainstay materials for cosmetic products, both as a supplementary ingredient and main ingredients. You can make a combination of shea butter as a natural moisturizer that suits your hair and scalp needs, with a little extra natural oil. Here are some ways you can apply:
- For dry hair
Wet your hair, massage the shea butter on hair and scalp, then shampoo. It is recommended to do this massage on a clean scalp. After shampooing, wrap the hair with a warm towel for about 15 minutes. This treatment can help revitalize dry hair. - For normal and oily hair
Take one piece of shea butter and mix it with a quarter of the olive oil, stirring evenly. Pour this mixture into a jar and massage it into your hair and scalp, do this treatment at least 6 hours before shampooing. You can also add 5 ml of shea butter to a 50 ml shampoo bottle for a moisturizer every time you shampoo.
Shea butter recipe for hair
Ingredients:
- 1 cup – Shea butter
- ½ cup – Olive oil
- ½ ounce – Essential oil
- 1 teaspoon – vitamin E oil
- Mixer
Method:
Place the shea butter in a microwave-safe bowl. To melt the shea butter input into the microwave for about 30 seconds. Make sure not to melt everything. Move to bowl and mix with mixer. When the consistency of the cream turns into dough, add the olive oil, stirring until evenly distributed. Then add vitamin E oil and essential oil, stirring until evenly distributed. Put it into the cosmetic container, cover it properly and keep it in a cool place away from the sun.
You may also read: