You may have heard of Shea butter before. That is because it's widely used in natural health and beauty circles as are other related products, such as Shea oils. While Shea oils are often used to improve hair health, Shea butter's emphasis tends to be more on skin health. That's why we at Branru Farm like to use it in our lotions. Here's a bit more about Shea butter and how it can help you get healthier and softer skin.
What is Shea Butter?
Vitellaria paradoxa is also known as a Shea tree. Originally, it hails from central Africa, where it is revered by the indigenous people. However, they aren't the only ones who value it. Today, it is grown in many parts of the world and utilized by those who swear by natural skincare techniques. Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the African Shea tree and mixed into various skin health products. There are many reasons for that. Some of them are listed below.
Shea Butter Contains Antioxidants and Vitamins for Skin Health
One of the biggest benefits of Shea butter is its high vitamin content. It is particularly rich in vitamins E and A, which are both great for skin health. Such vitamins have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are sort of like a body's internal soldiers. They fight off invading free radicals, which are foreign materials. Often, free radicals come in contact with the skin via airborne pollutants. Having those extra antioxidants prevents skin from becoming dull. It can also help reduce wrinkle development. Shea butter also contains other useful elements like:
Stearic, Linoleic, Palmitic, and Oleic Fatty Acids
Vitamin F
Triglycerides
Cetyl Esters
Shea Butter Creates Softer Skin
Creating softer skin is one of the biggest benefits of Shea butter and one of the reasons we use it in our lotions here at Branru Farm. Sometimes skin has a dull appearance. It can also be dry at times. You might have dry skin in the winter if you live in an area with cold or snowy winters, for example. Shea butter functions as a moisturizing agent for skin hydration. It helps provide moisture to the skin, and it can also help hold moisture in the skin cells longer. Shinier, softer skin is often achieved when products containing Shea butter are applied regularly.
Shea Butter Promotes New Skin Cell Growth
Another useful thing about Shea butter is that it can increase collagen production and help strengthen existing collagen in skin cells. Collagen is a type of protein . It's also known for being the connective tissue that helps keep skin cells together. When collagen starts to break down, skin becomes loose and loses its elasticity. That is what leads to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Since Shea butter helps keep collagen healthy and
helps encourage the body to make more, it helps preserve the structural integrity of the skin. It is often used in skincare products because it can help skin stay tight and smooth.
Shea Butter May Help Reduce the Appearance of Scars
For similar reasons to those in the above paragraph, using products like our lotions that contain Shea butter is also potentially helpful for scar treatment. The increase in collagen production helps cellular turnover, which is the rate at which dead cells are eliminated and new ones grow in their place. It also helps skin maintain elasticity, which can assist with the healing process. Its ability to create softer skin also can help Shea butter treat acne scarring and certain other scars. It doesn't eliminate them entirely, but in many instances it can make scars look less prominent.
Shea Butter May Reduce Skin Inflammation
When it comes to skin health and general skincare concerns, inflammation is a big one. Inflammation can occur for many reasons. It often happens when skin is exposed to the elements. Dry, cold conditions can cause it, as well as exposure to windy conditions. There are also plenty of airborne and applied environmental chemicals that may contribute to inflamed skin. Shea butter contains esters and other components known to help reduce
or prevent that inflammation. In fact, it is also thought to be useful for treating inflammation-based skin conditions like eczema.
More Reasons We Put Shea Butter in Our Lotions
Those are only some of the many reasons our Branru Farm lotions contain Shea butter. It's not just good for skin hydration and reducing inflammation. We also consider it essential because it has anti-bacterial and anti- fungal properties. It can even help treat sunburns. So, don't wait. Give one of our scented or unscented lotions with Shea butter a try!