Shea butter: what you need to know

We’re sure you’ve heard of shea butter, and most likely seen it in the moisturiser section at a drugstore or supermarket. This super ingredient has found its way into most face creams - but why? Below we’ll take a look at where it comes from and why you should be using it.

Shea butter is fat which is extracted from the nuts of shea trees, which are native to West Africa. Traditionally, shea trees were known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to relieve pain and nasal congestion, heal ulcers and aid irritated skin. 

Over the years, shea butter has become popular within skincare products due to its high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, such as linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids. These ingredients have the ability to balance your skin's oil levels, improve it’s natural barrier and boost moisture levels. 

Additionally, shea butter contains vitamins A, E and F, which are antioxidant vitamins that promote circulation and skin cell growth. Antioxidants also have great anti-ageing properties, so using shea butter could help fight premature ageing and dull skin. Shea butter is antifungal too, meaning that it can help to fight skin infections caused by fungi, such as athlete's foot and ringworm. 

As well as the many benefits listed above, shea butter can be used to help relieve acne as it helps to clear the skin of excess sebum. The skin can overcompensate and produce too much oil if it becomes dry, which can clog the pores, therefore leading to breakouts. Shea butter can help balance this and help stop acne before it starts. For this reason, it can also promote the healing of wounds and scars.

We have many products at Level 7 Beauty Hall that contain shea butter. If you’re looking for a moisturiser, then take a look at the Cosmydor C/2 Restructuring Cream. This product is perfect for dry skin and will work to soften the skin and leave it looking plump and healthy. Alternatively, Husk and Seed’s Hydration Boost Moisturising Balm is packed with skin-calming plant oils that nourish irritated, dry skin. It is a multi-tasking product that can be used in a variety of ways, to include a make-up primer, hair tamer and cracked heel repairer. 

We also highly recommend the Eclat Skin Lip Collection. These lip serums provide instantly nourishing long-lasting moisture that will leave your pout looking full.  

You can apply shea butter directly to your skin and hair. As it is naturally quite oily, it’s worth noting that it’s probably best used on the skin before bed, or used as a conditioner for the hair. Applying shea butter directly to the roots of your hair could leave it looking greasy.