Shea Butter - For Natural Skin and Hair Care

Shea butter is a natural fatty extract from the kernels of the shea tree found in West and Central Africa. As a skin moisturiser, shea butter penetrates deep into the skin and retains moisture, thus helping to improve elasticity and combat wrinkles. For hair and scalp, shea butter moisturises dry or damaged hair, without blocking hair shafts, and helps protect against weather damage and brittleness. With its composition of nonsaponifiable fats, Vitamin F and anti-inflammatory agents, shea butter can help provide relief from dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, sun-damaged skin, burns and other dermatological conditions.
Unique properties
The key components of pure shea butter are:

• Nonsaponifiable fatty acids: help retain moisture, thus helping to improve elasticity and combat wrinkles
• Vitamins A, E and F: help protect the skin and prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines
• Cinnamic acid: a natural sunscreen that provides some degree of protection from UV rays
• Anti-elastase properties: helps prevent and reduce stretch marks during pregnancy and generally improves skin suppleness
• Anti-inflammatory agents: for relieving eczema, dermatitis, sun-damaged skin and burns
• Stigmasterol: useful in relaxing tired muscles and providing relief for swelling and arthritis

Refined and unrefined shea butter
The more shea butter is processed, the higher the chance some of the nutrients are going to be removed. Unrefined shea butter is the least processed. It is manually extracted, thereby retaining its natural colour and smell, and most of its nutritional properties. The shea nuts are cracked, grilled and pounded and then boiled in water until the butter rises to the surface. It is then scooped into gourds and left to cool and set.Refined shea butter, on the other hand, is put through clay filters, which remove its natural odour. Highly refined shea butter is processed using chemicals such as hexane, losing most of its healing properties in the process and is pure white with no smell. The shea butter that you find in most "shop bought" creams and lotions involves the use of hexane. Cosmetics companies use this form of shea in packaged consumer products because it provides the same colour and consistency batch to batch.
Practical applications and tips
Skin care: After bathing, apply shea butter generously to the entire body, particularly to the neck and shoulders. Use shea butter on your hands as often as possible and massage it into your feet to help reduce stress and tensions in your body. Apply in between your toes to avoid smelly feet.
Hair care: After washing your hair, massage some shea butter into the scalp and hair to soothe irritation and replenish lost moisture. Then wrap with a warm towel for about 30 minutes. Before swimming, apply to your hair to help protect it from chlorine and salt.
Shaving: Apply shea butter before shaving to soften the skin and after shaving to avoid bumps and irritations.
Skin conditions: For treating dry skin conditions such as eczema and chapped skin, apply shea butter directly to the affected area. You can also use it on minor rashes, bruises and burns to soothe irritation, aid healing and reduce scarring.

Eileen Murphy is the founder of Scotia Fair Trade, a business that promotes Fair Trade natural skin care products and crafts from Africa, Asia and South America. Visit http://www.scotiafairtrade.com for more information.

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