In which products can we find shea butter?

The shea butter is a vegetable fat of solid consistency and slightly beige colour. It is primarily composed of fatty acids, including monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids. Its composition also includes vitamins, terpenic alcohols, phytosterols, etc.

This diversity of constituents is the source of the benefits of shea butter. Indeed, fatty acids play the role of hydrating and nourishing agents. When used topically, they restore the hydrolipidic film in order to protect the skin and prevent dehydration. The skin thus becomes softer and more supple. This property is also beneficial for hair, given that it requires nutritional input to maintain its suppleness and shine.

The presence of vitamins A, E, and D in the composition of shea butter also endows it with anti-inflammatory properties. This ingredient is thus used to soothe skin conditions and scalp disorders, such as eczema or psoriasis. Acting on cellular regeneration, it repairs tissues and speeds up the healing process. These phenomena help to fade acne scars and stretch marks.

Thanks to its numerous properties, shea butter has become a popular ingredient in the formulation of skincare products. Whether it's for facial skin, body skin, or even hair, shea butter finds its place in various types of care. It is considered by the international committee of experts as a safe cosmetic ingredient that can be used up to a concentration of 60% in the finished product, without any particular toxic risk.

• Care nourishing for dry skin.

  Rich in fatty acids, the shea butter contributes to skin hydration by strengthening the protective barrier, which is itself made up of fatty acids. Linoleic acid and oleic acid allow it to be easily absorbed by the epidermis. Its high content of triglycerides and unsaponifiables gives it a great reparative power.

• Beard care.

  Shea butter can be found in beard balms to nourish the hair and achieve a silky beard. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can also be included in the formulation of after-shave care. After shaving, the skin is reddened, dehydrated and may experience itching. Shea butter will help to soothe the skin and deeply nourish it.

• Eye contour care.

  Thanks to its moisturising and nourishing properties, shea butter is used to nourish the eye contour and reduce dark circles. In the case of pigmented dark circles, shea butter has an inhibitory activity on melanogenesis and could be a solution to the natural overproduction of melanin.

• Cleansing skincare treatments.

  Shea butter contains a large number of lipid active ingredients that allow it to gently remove makeup from the skin and nourish it. This type of makeup remover is perfectly suitable for dry skin.

• Sun Protection Care.

  Shea butter can be found in sun creams and mists. The terpenic alcohols it contains have a strong absorption of UV rays between 250 and 300 nm. When added to a sun protection product, they synergistically increase the absorption of UVB rays. Thus, it acts as an SPF boosting compound.

• Nail care.

  Shea butter helps to moisturise the nails and care for the cuticles. It also serves as an excellent strengthener and softener for the nails.

• Lip care.

  Thanks to its nourishing properties, shea butter helps to nourish and protect the lips on a daily basis. It forms a barrier that protects the lips from external aggressions and retains moisture.

• Haircare.

  Rich in vitamins A, D, E and F, shea butter aids in repairing weakened hair. Hair follicles have vitamin D receptors, VDR (Vitamin D Receptor), which play a role in hair renewal and growth. Furthermore, shea butter is abundant in fatty acids. It penetrates deeply into the hair fibre, making it soft and shiny. It is used in the composition of shampoos, conditioners and hair masks.

• Anti-cellulite treatments.

  Combined with essential oils, shea butter is often found in the composition of anti-cellulite treatments. It helps to soften, hydrate and smooth the skin. The chosen essential oils will stimulate blood circulation and combat water retention.

• Skincare to prevent and reduce stretch marks.

  Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter can act through the NF-kB signalling pathway to reduce the redness of new stretch marks and alleviate itching. The triterpenes contained in shea butter contribute to cell renewal and collagen protection to prevent it from breaking. Moreover, it can enhance the SPF index of a sunscreen to prevent darkening of stretch marks.