Whoa! The perfect exclamation to describe this natural emollient. Rich in vitamins A, E & F, when it comes to the marvels of moisturizing, this butter has it all, and then some.
Shea butter (pronounced shay) has many health benefits, and when it comes to skincare, it’s a superfood and one of our favorite ingredients. The best part is that the skin quickly absorbs this miracle butter, and creates a moisture sealing barrier that provides instant soothing relief, particularly in winter weather and dry climates.
Native to East and West tropical Africa, extracting the butter from the Shea tree nuts is quite a labor-intensive process. It takes about 30 hours to produce 4 cups of good quality Shea Butter from trees that can live up to 300 years! After the outer shells of the kernels are removed, they are crushed and roasted, and the butter is kneaded by hand to separate the miracle fatty acids we love. Essentially, it is a solid oil.
In addition to providing skin moisturizing properties, our early research shows that as an ingredient in skincare products, Shea Butter contributes to improving acne, itching, scaly skin, sun damage and prevents stretch marks. Here’s how the magic works:
- Consisting of 60% fat, it is an effective skin moisture-replenishing emollient (meaning it melts quickly into the skin).
- Its Vitamin F-rich content converts to ceramide when applied to the skin, which also helps keep the skin barrier healthy and moisturized.
- The concentration of oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linoleic fatty acids, coupled with vitamins A, D, E, and F, aid in natural collagen production — essential to protecting the skin and helping prevent/soothe drying.
- Rich in vitamin A, this butter is ideal for fighting infection and protecting against UV damage.
There you have it in a nutshell! Shea Butter is an excellent ingredient that is ideal for dry, sensitive skin formulations with some added soothing and nourishing benefits. We’ve added Shea Butter to Amolee Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin. Add it to your skin routine to reap the amazing benefits!
