The various uses of shea butter in winter

Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the shea tree, a plant native to West Africa. Rich in triglycerides, vitamins and fatty acids, it possesses emollient, moisturising and nourishing properties. Its moisturising and nourishing qualities are attributed to its high content of fatty acids (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated). These reinforce the hydrolipidic film, thereby contributing to skin hydration. Vitamins A and E endow it with antioxidant properties that help protect the skin and hair from free radicals.

Shea butter has a high content of unsaponifiables, which gives it strong penetrating properties. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe skin itching caused, for example, by acne or by sunburn.

The shea butter is used on the body and hair. It should be noted that it is suitable for both adults and children:

• To protect the lips from the cold: delicate, sensitive and exposed, the lips directly endure the effects of the cold. They thus require special attention. To shield them from the impacts of winter, apply shea butter to your lips several times a day. Thanks to the moisturising, protective and nourishing properties of shea butter, your lips will remain soft and hydrated.

• To nourish the skin of the hands: under the influence of cold and frequent washing, the skin on the hands becomes dry, leading to the appearance of cracks and chaps. Regularly use shea butter to nourish and soften it in order to prevent dryness and the emergence of cracks.

• On the body: place a dollop of shea butter in your warm bath. Your skin will then be covered with an oily veil that will protect it from drying out. It will remain hydrated, soft and supple. You can also massage a small amount of shea butter between your hands and apply it daily to clean, dry skin.

• On the hair: apply shea butter as a mask to protect your hair and deeply nourish it. To do this, mix a small amount of shea butter with a virgin oil (olive oil, avocado oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil) and apply the mixture to all of your hair, focusing on the ends. Allow it to sit for at least between 15 and 20 minutes before using your regular shampoo. The shea butter will restore shine and suppleness to your hair.

Shea butter can be used alone or in combination with other butters and plant oils. It is included in several Typology treatments. It is a component of the 9-ingredient nourishing lip balm, the nourishing face cream based on hyaluronic acid (suitable for normal, combination and dry skin), the firming night mask with prickly pear, and the stretch mark gel-oil.

The 9-ingredient lip balm is ideal for alleviating feelings of tightness and dryness caused by the cold. To apply it, simply massage a small amount of the balm directly onto your lips several times a day.

In the stretch mark gel-to-oil, shea butter works in synergy with baobab oil (INCI: Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil) to reduce the appearance of stretch marks while restoring skin suppleness. This gel should be applied to dry, clean skin and massaged in until the product is fully absorbed.

The Nourishing Hyaluronic Acid 1% + Shea Butter Face Cream (INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate) nourishes the skin and restores the hydrolipidic film to prevent skin dehydration. Shea butter soothes and protects the skin from external aggressions. This cream should be applied morning and evening to dry and clean skin after your usual serum. Massage in a circular motion until the product is absorbed.

The firming night mask with organic Prickly Pear oil (INCI: Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil) nourishes and regenerates weakened skin. The shea butter it contains helps to soften and restore elasticity to the skin.

Nourishing and soothing for skin dehydrated by the cold, shea butter provides an effective natural treatment to protect the skin against the minor inconveniences of winter.

• PEKER K. & al. Medicinal and nutritional benefits from the shea tree. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare (2017).