Ingredient Highlight

Shea Butter

I want to share with you another of my favorite butters, shea butter.  Shea butter is a natural fat obtained from the shea tree.  It protects the skin from dehydration, restores suppleness, increases the moisture of the skin, and improves the appearance of dry and irritated skin.

Shea butter is a great product to protect the skin and hair against sun and pollution damages.  It naturally contains a small amount of UV protection (usually an SPF between 4-6).  Used as an after-sun product, it helps heal peeling skin caused by sun exposure.

Speaking of healing, shea butter has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  It restores skin elasticity, evens out skin tones, strengthens skin, and reduces and repairs fine lines and wrinkles.   This ingredient has been used alone, or with other ingredients, to help heal eczema, psoriasis, rashes, hives, insect bites, minor burns, minor cuts, and cracked skin.  Used on the hair, it helps to moisturize and protect the hair against environmental pollutants and UV rays.  Do not forget to rub it into your scalp as it soothes dry, itchy scalps.

At least one article I read while researching this product suggests that Queen Nefertiti of Egypt used shea butter in her beauty regimen.  If shea butter was good enough for the Queen, surely you should give it a try.