Shea butter or shea butter is a vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the African shea tree (marvelous vitellaria). The product is often used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. But the usefulness and effectiveness of the product is strongly influenced by the method of production, as well as the manufacturer.
Therefore, the editors of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" have compiled a detailed guide on how to choose a quality product, and also found effective recipes for hair, face and body care.
Content
Shea types
There are several types of oil:
- A - raw or unrefined. Most useful components remain in a mixture of this type.
- B - refined. The product moisturizes well, but is devoid of almost all useful nutrients, including vitamins.
- C - characterized by a high degree of purification.
- D - the product contains minor impurities.
- E - contains a large amount of impurities.
Classes B, C, D, E are refined mix. B, C are obtained without the use of chemical impurities, therefore such a product is used in cooking, cosmetology. Classes D, E are used only for the production of household chemicals.
Shea butter composition
The substance is 80% triglycerides, and 20% unsaponifiable fats.
Triglycerides include various acids, in particular, arachidic, oleic, linoleic, myristic, palmitic, and stearic. They help to restore and establish the life cycle of epidermal cells.
Unsaponifiable fats include hydrocarbons, carysterols.
It also contains a lot of vitamins - A, E, D, F, K.
Benefit and harm
Advantages
Shea butter is a versatile skin and hair care product that has the following beneficial properties:
- Tones, improves skin elasticity.
- Rejuvenates - smoothes fine expression lines. Prevents destruction, preserves collagen in cells, thus preventing the formation of new wrinkles.
- Actively nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Softens rough areas of the epidermis, eliminates chafing, corns.
- Non-comedogenic, i.e. it does not clog pores.
- Protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
- Refreshes, improves complexion.
- Heals small wounds, abrasions, cuts.
- Restores metabolism in skin cells.
- Helps maintain healthy looking hair.
- Relieves swelling.
- It goes well with other natural products - oils, herbal infusions.
- Suitable for small children.
disadvantages
Despite the many useful properties, shea butter should be used with some restrictions for people with sensitive skin, as well as prone to allergies.
The product is categorically not suitable for those who are allergic to nuts or latex. Therefore, before the first use, you should definitely make a test for the presence of an allergic reaction. To do this, a small amount of the product must be applied to the hand, wait an hour. If there is no redness or itching at the site of application, the skin does not bake, then the product can be used safely.
Criterias of choice
There are many myths about this product. For example, what is the most useful, unrefined oil can be distinguished by its color and consistency from refined oil. What's wrong here? Let's figure it out now.
- Colour. It is believed that refined oil should be white. And unrefined - cream. In fact, the color of the unrefined product can be anything: yellow, gray, light brown, and even white. It depends on the time and place of picking the nuts, and, of course, may differ from batch to batch.
- Smell. The unrefined substance has a light nutty aroma, sometimes with a subtle hint of mushrooms. In order not to purchase a fake, carefully read the composition - there should not be any fragrances indicated.
- Consistency. The original product in solid form is characterized by uneven density, frequent inclusions of lumps and grains. The appearance resembles ordinary oil mixed with semolina.
So how do you pick a good product if a comparison of basic characteristics doesn't work?
Rapid quality test
Real shea butter melts at a temperature of 30-35 ° C. Therefore, it is easy to check the product - apply a couple of grams of the substance to your palm, wait 10 minutes. The true karite should melt during this time.
Selection errors
Focus on price. A quality product with an imported component cannot be cheap. The price includes payment for manual or automated labor, as well as transportation from the country of origin. The oil is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree in two ways:
- Manual. African women collect nuts, and then peel them of pulp for many days in a row, then roast, crush them with a stone, then a mortar, then mix with water. The resulting mixture is boiled several times, while draining the dark precipitate, and removing the light foam. Light foam is oil.
- Automated or cold pressing. Nuts are purchased by European countries and there, on their territory, they squeeze oil.
Do not take into account the expiration date. A good oil has a shelf life of no more than two years. You should not take a product with a different expiration date. It's a fake copy. It is also undesirable to use an expired remedy - it not only loses its beneficial properties, but can also harm, provoking an allergic reaction.
The use of shea butter in cosmetology
It has a wide range of useful properties. In cosmetology, it is equally often used both alone and in combination with other ingredients. But when combined with oils, extracts and infusions, shea butter often works stronger and more efficiently than in itself.
For face
In its pure form:
- Shea can be used as a base for makeup. Apply some oil to your eyelids and your eyeshadow will last for the rest of the day.
- The product will replace hygienic lipstick, save lips cracked from frost, and return them to a beautiful, well-groomed look.
- Accelerates the growth of eyebrows and eyelashes.
For oily skin
A mask that is very easy to repeat at home.
Use once every 5-6 days.
Composition:
- Shea butter, tea tree - a teaspoon each;
- A teaspoon of blue clay;
- Water - two tablespoons.
Apply the resulting mixture to your face and neck. Rinse off with water after 15 minutes. Do not peel off or tear off the mask in pieces: this can injure the skin.
For combination skin
Very nourishing mask.
Use once every 3-4 days.
Composition:
- A third of a banana;
- Shea butter, honey - a tablespoon each.
Mix, apply for 15 minutes.
For dry skin
The oil mask moisturizes and transforms the skin. Gives shine and shine. Removes tightness, dryness, flaking.
Use once every 3-4 days.
Composition:
- Coconut, shea - one teaspoon each;
- Jojoba or almond - 2-3 drops.
Melt the butters in a water bath, add the remaining butter. Apply to clean skin. Wash off after half an hour.
The mask can be used on the face, décolleté area.
For normal skin
Softening, nourishing mask.
Use once a week.
Composition:
- Shea butter, jojoba - 1 teaspoon;
- Honey - 1 teaspoon.
Stir, apply to face. Wash off after ten minutes.
For sensitive skin
The mask relieves inflammation and irritation, evens out the complexion.
Use every 3-4 days.
Composition:
- Egg yolk;
- Honey, wheat germ - a teaspoon each;
- Shea butter - dessert spoon;
- Avocado oil - two tablespoons.
Apply to face for 15 minutes.
Shea for hair
In its pure form:
The rich and balanced composition of the natural product makes it possible to take care of your hair and scalp in a variety of ways. Regular application of pure oil triggers the following processes:
- Restoration, strengthening of the dermis and hair after chemical exposure. If your hair has not tolerated dyeing well, become dry, brittle, and irritation appears on the scalp, then a shea butter mask will help solve this problem.
- Restoration of blood circulation in the dermis, as well as improvement of metabolic processes at the cellular level.
- Getting rid of itching, dryness, flaking, dandruff.
- Improving the appearance of hair. Shea glues damaged hairs together and prevents damage to healthy ones. Protects against thermal effects, ultraviolet radiation.
In addition, the use of vitellaria oil in the form of masks makes the hair manageable and shiny. The hairstyle has additional volume, density.
It can be applied as a mask, or you can simply add a tablespoon of it to your hair conditioner.
Moisturizing mask
Regular use of this mask will make your hair shiny, manageable, and get rid of dullness and splits. Suitable for normal, dry hair.
Composition:
- One medium avocado;
- Shea and olive oil, honey - 30 grams each.
Algorithm for preparing the mixture:
- Grind the fruit into gruel;
- Then heat the oils in a water bath, mix with honey;
- Mix all ingredients.
Apply the resulting mask evenly to clean, damp curls. Wrap well, stand for an hour, and then rinse well with plenty of water.
Mask for oily hair
For oily scalp, apply only to the ends.
Composition:
- Yolk;
- Shea butter, almond - two tablespoons each.
Mix, leave on hair for two hours. Then wash your hair with shampoo.
Mask for dry, brittle hair
Coconut oil, like vitellaria oil, moisturizes the skin well. Therefore, coconut and shea are a win-win combination of ingredients for dry scalp. Mix oils in a 1: 1 ratio. Apply for 5-6 hours.
The mask can be easily applied overnight, even a little "overexposed". According to the reviews of Internet users who have already tested the recipe, this does not harm the curls, rather, on the contrary, they are more saturated, become shiny and obedient.
Shea butter for body
In its pure form:
- Regular application of shea will soften and make the skin smooth and beautiful in those parts of the body where it quickly coarsens and looks unaesthetic. Apply it once a day on your heels, knees, elbows, and the result will not be long in coming.
- In order to increase the effectiveness of the product, as well as not to stain the bedding, use shea butter in tandem with cotton socks. Apply to your feet before going to bed, then put on your socks. The next morning, your heels will feel softer and softer to the touch.
- Shea will protect the skin from the aggressive effects of chlorinated pool water or salt sea water. Simply rinse off after bathing and then apply the oil. It will moisturize and soothe the skin.
- The product quickly relieves irritation from insect bites.
- Shea increases the durability of spirits. Dab a little shea on your wrists, collarbones, neck, and then sprinkle perfume on these areas. The scent will last much longer.
- The humidifying function is a real salvation during the heating season.
- Helps with stretch marks.Of course, it will not completely relieve the old ones, but it will help make scars not so noticeable, and make the skin more elastic and taut. The use of oil during pregnancy reduces the likelihood of stretch marks.
- Heals cuts after shaving, relieves irritation.
- Can be used from the first days of life. Great for treating baby skin after bathing. Protects against diaper rash, irritation.
- Promotes healing of burns, wounds, blisters.
- Nourishes, moisturizes the cuticle.
- Strengthens nails.
Full body cream
The moisturizing, nourishing cream will leave the skin soft, smooth and pleasant to the touch.
Composition:
- Shea butter - three tablespoons;
- Base oil - one tablespoon;
- Infusion of calendula - three teaspoons;
- Grapefruit essential oil - 5-6 drops.
The basic ones include: olive, jojoba, argan, avocado.
Melt the shea butter in a bain-marie, mix all the ingredients together. Store the mixture in the refrigerator.
Shea butter for cellulite
In the difficult fight against cellulite, chocolate wraps will help.
Composition:
- Half a glass of kefir;
- Dark chocolate bar;
- Shea butter - 2 tablespoons
Algorithm of actions:
- Melt chocolate in a water bath;
- We heat the shea butter;
- Mix butter and chocolate;
- Mix the cooled mixture with kefir.
Apply the finished mixture to problem areas, wrap it with cling film. Take off after half an hour.
It is recommended to steam the skin and scrub before the procedure.
For a visible effect, you need to take a course of 15-20 procedures.
Top manufacturers
Spivak Shi (Shea) unrefined for the body
Belongs to class A - it has a non-uniform consistency, with small "grains", a characteristic yellow, gray-yellow color and a pleasant nutty smell. Supplied in a handy, shatterproof plastic jar.
Country of origin: Netherlands.
Average price: 199 rubles.
Expiration date: 24 months.
Bodyton Shea (Shea) Unrefined Body Butter
The Bodyton brand produces cosmetics based on natural, environmentally friendly raw materials. The company cooperates only with trusted, reliable suppliers.
Country of origin: Kenya.
Average price: 245 rubles.
Expiration date: 24 months.
Green Buffet shea (shea) unrefined for the body
Oil from a manufacturer and importer of high-quality natural healthy food products. Supplied in glass containers with tight screw caps. Uneven consistency, with small lumps. It is quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving it soft and soft.
Country of origin: Benin.
Average price: 504 rubles.
Expiration date: 24 months.
Grosheff Shea Unrefined Body
Product from a reliable domestic manufacturer of eco-cosmetics. The products are not tested on animals and are environmentally friendly. The product is sold in a convenient jar with a screw cap.
Country of origin: Russia.
Average price: 350 rubles.
Expiration date: 24 months.
Royal Forest Shea unrefined for body 150 g
The natural cold-pressed product comes in clear glass jars with tight screw caps. It is characterized by a pleasant, light earthy nutty aroma, as well as a dense texture.
Country of origin: Ghana.
Average price: 379 rubles.
Expiration date: 24 months.
Product storage rules
Storage of the product in the refrigerator is acceptable. At the same time, the oil hardens and loses its viscosity.
It is worth remembering that pure oil is good for only two years. As a part of natural creams, shea "lives" much less - three months.
Conclusion
We hope our recommendations will help you preserve and highlight your natural beauty.
If you already have experience with one of the products discussed in this review, or you know a more interesting brand, you can share your impressions and tips in the comments. We will also be glad if you share your recipes for homemade creams or shea butter masks with other readers of the site.
