Beauty Out of Africa

Effective Shea Butter Products

I can't say enough about the healing powers of shea butter. For centuries, Africans have used shea butter to:

• Moisturize and regenerate skin and hair
• Reduce inflammation, stretch marks and wrinkles
• Treat eczema and arthritis

Today almost every moisturizing product on the shelf make claims about the benefits of shea butter in their products. The question is, how much shea butter is in these products. To truly enjoy the healing benefits of a shea butter product you need to be sure that it contains a good percentage of pure unrefined shea butter. For more information on effective shea butter products check out shea radiance products

 

Scientific Findings on Shea Butter

Science confirms what our grandparents have known from the beginning of time. The following is an excerpt of an article published by Philippe MONMARCHE and Dr Laurent SOUSSELIER Renard, on a review done on the efficacy of crushed shea butter activity on the skin.

In a first clinical study on 15 volunteers, a 15% shea butter containing cream was applied twice a day for 5 months. (Fig 3) Very good results were obtained for the treatment of dermatitis, of cracked hands as well as in the more difficult treatment of cutaneous ulcers. The decongesting and anti-inflammatory action has been observed on the treatment of radio-epithelitis. Some patients who suffered from severe sequels of sunburns have been completely healed.

But, it is in the treatment of atrophic and degenerative skin condition linked to aging and to extensive solar exposure that shea butter has found its best indication. After 3 to 4 months, the skin aspect improves drastically. The skin becoming more supple and less wrinkled.

A second clinical study involved a daily application of pure shea butter for 4 months on 23 volunteers exhibiting major signs of cutaneous aging. (Fig 4)The dry, rough, sometimes finely scaly aspect of the epidermis, was certainly the most frequent condition observed and the least accepted by the patients. It is obvious that many lipids will correct the deficiencies of the hydrolipidic film and will enable the skin to recover partially some of its suppleness. However, the improvement obtained with shea butter was particularly quick and obvious. It allowed in a few weeks a tangible improvement of the aspect of the superficial epidermal layers of the epidermis whit a smoother and clearer skin. This might be related to the regulation of the renewal of superficial horny layers and to the disappearing of preexisting para-keratosis.

Traditional Uses of Shea Butter

Unrefined Shea Butter is a therapeutic staple in most West African homes. It is used as a moisturizer and a healing balm. New born babies are massaged from head to toe with shea butter after they are bathed, to keep their delicate skin moist.

 

My Shea Butter Baby - Toluwa at 8 months

The elderly use shea butter an analgesic and  anti-inflammatory rub for arthritis and achy joints. Local soccer players and athletes use shea butter as a muscle rub after a tough game. A friend of mine claims that in his home town people drink warmed shea butter to heal their sore throats.

Science has confirmed that Shea butter has a high percentage of unsaponifiables making it a rich healing and moisturizing cream, great for soaps and cosmetics.

We will be sharing more interesting uses and benefits of shea butter in future posts.

What to do with Grainy Shea Butter

To be quite honest, this graininess came as a surprise to me. I never had come across this grainy texture in any of the butters I had used while in Africa.

I did some research online and now I think I know why this happens.

We all know that Shea butter is a tropical product. Most of us who grew up in tropical areas around the world know that it is hot almost all the time. Shea butter in tropical climates is a very soft almost runny butter because of the heat.

I have a very strong sense that grainy Shea butter is a phenomenon that occurs primarily in non-tropical regions.

According to my research, Shea Butter becomes grainy as a result of crystals formed in the butter. Crystal are formed as a result of daytime heat and then a slow cooling during the overnight hours in the delivery vehicle.

Recommendations for getting rid of grainy texture (If it bothers you)

• Put Shea in double boiler and heat to 175 degrees.
• Maintain temperature for about 25 minutes. The heat will melt down fat crystals.
• It is recommended that rapid cooling after the melt down may prevent crystals from reforming

It is important to note that grainy textured butter is not a sign of a bad product. It’s just the reaction of a tropical product adjusting to a foreign environment.  Imagine Shea Butter with goose bumps :)