Shea butter is an ingredient of plant origin extracted from the mechanical pressure of the shea nut seeds. Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, it is as beneficial for the skin as for the hair.
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What Are the Shea Butter Benefits for the Skin?
Shea Butter, Overview.
Shea butter is made from the fat extracted from the shea nut, growing on a tree native to West Africa (almost all the shea butter used today still comes from this region). Historically, it has been used by indigenous people for centuries, both as a topical application and as a cooking butter (food grade shea butter is still used for cooking today). Currently, it is best known for its use in the beauty industry.
Shea butter is rich in triglycerides, fatty acids and vitamins. Used topically, shea butter is an excellent emollient that can help the skin reduce its moisture loss. The butter of shea nuts is found in a plethora of lotions, creams and other products. It is found under the INCI name 'Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Extract)'.
Shea Moisture for Dry Skin.
Is shea moisture good for dry skin? Yes it is, due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties. Its qualities are related to its high fatty acid content – and thanks to the types of fatty acids it contains (namely linoleic acid and oleic acid), it tends to be non-greasy and easily absorbed.
In fact, the fatty acids in shea butter fall into 3 categories, including monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids. These molecules contribute to hydration by reinforcing the skin's protective barrier, itself made up of fatty acids. As a reminder, skin hydration is maintained by the presence of the hydrolipidic film which prevents evaporation and maintains hygroscopic molecules in the cells.
It has been shown that this butter of shea nut seals in moisture to the skin and protects the skin barrier. One study even suggests that it has topical effects similar to those of ceramides, the polar lipids naturally present in the epidermis and responsible for sealing the skin barrier.
Because of these shea butter benefits, it is also present in the composition of our nourishing body cream. Enriched with squalane and shea butter, this care product reduces feelings of tightness by restoring the skin's lipidic film.
Shea Butter: A Repairing and Anti-inflammatory Active Ingredient.
Skin repair, whether it's from breakouts, acne lesions or other conditions, can be a long process. (Some scars never really go away, either.) But adding topical products that help strengthen the skin barrier and have antioxidant properties can be helpful. In fact, in one study, researchers found that topical shea butter could improve the appearance of the skin, immune response and healing time for certain lesions.
In addition, the butter of shea nut contains bioactive ingredients that give it anti-inflammatory properties. A 2015 study consisting of 25 people with mild to moderate eczema found that shea butter can help reduce the signs and symptoms of eczema.
Shea Butter Benefits Against Wrinkles.
Shea moisture is good for counteracting the effects of the sun and skin aging by promoting cell renewal. In addition, it restores the elasticity of the skin, which is necessary to smooth the features and blur the wrinkles. These properties come from the simultaneous action of vitamin A and D as well as phytosterols. Benefiting from an antioxidant action, it also prevents the appearance of new wrinkles. It should be noted that premature aging of the skin is caused by the degradation of the skin's constituent proteins by the action of free radicals.
Typology Skincare Products With Shea Butter.
Our nourishing face cream based on hyaluronic acid contains an important part of shea butter. Thanks to its content of hydrating and replenishing properties, this care brings flexibility to the skin. Moreover, it decreases the feelings of tightness. It is adapted to the normal, mixed and dry skins.
You can also find the butter of shea nut in the firming night mask with prickly pear oil, an enveloping balm to nourish and regenerate weakened skin, and firm tissues.
Shea butter is also present in our stretch mark oil-gel with baobab oil to prevent and visibly reduce the appearance of stretch marks, while bringing suppleness and elasticity to the skin.
Finally, our two 100% natural cold saponified solid cleansing products are enriched with shea butter.
Sources :
GAUTAM H. K. & al. Anti-inflammatory effects of shea butter through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, and cytokines via the Nf-κB pathway in LPS-activated J774 macrophage cells. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (2012).
LEUNG T. F. & al. Patient acceptability, efficacy, and skin biophysiology of a cream and cleanser containing lipid complex with shea butter extract versus a ceramide product for eczema. Hong Kong Medical Journal (2015).
SANTIAGO J. L. & al. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018).
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