Shea butter is a plant-based ingredient extracted through the mechanical pressing of shea nuts. Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, it is as beneficial for the skin as it is for the hair.
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What are the benefits of shea butter on the skin?
Summary
- An overview of Shea Butter
- Shea butter for moisturising dry skin
- Shea butter, a restorative and anti-inflammatory agent
- Shea butter, effective against wrinkles
- In which Typology skincare products can one find shea butter?
- Sources
Published January 11, 2023,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
An overview of Shea Butter.
The shea butter is produced from the fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, a plant native to West Africa (almost all of the shea butter used today still comes from this region). Historically, it has been used by indigenous populations 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 most renowned for its use in the beauty industry.
Shea butter is rich in triglycerides, fatty acids and vitamins. When applied topically, shea butter acts as an excellent emollient and can assist the skin in reducing its moisture loss. Shea butter is incorporated into a plethora of lotions, creams and more... It can be found under the I.N.C.I. name 'Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Extract)'.
Shea butter for moisturising dry skin.
The most apparent advantage, of course, is its moisturising and nourishing properties. Its qualities are linked to its high fatty acid content - and due to the types of fatty acids it contains (namely linoleic acid and oleic acid), it tends not to be greasy and is easily absorbed.
In fact, the fatty acids contained in shea butter are divided into three categories, which are monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids. These molecules contribute to hydration by strengthening the skin's protective barrier, which itself is made up of fatty acids. As a reminder, skin hydration is maintained by the presence of the hydrolipidic film which prevents evaporation and keeps hygroscopic molecules within the cells.
It has been demonstrated that this vegetable butter seals moisture into the skin and protects the skin barrier. A study even suggests that it has topical effects similar to those of ceramides, the polar lipids naturally present in the epidermis and responsible for the impermeability of the skin barrier.
Due to these virtues, shea butter is indeed present in the composition of our nourishing body cream. Enriched with squalane and shea butter, this treatment reduces feelings of tightness by restoring the skin's lipid film.
Shea butter, a restorative and anti-inflammatory agent.
Skin repair, whether it's dealing with flare-ups, acne lesions or other issues, can be a lengthy process. (Some scars never truly fade away either.) However, the addition of topical products that help to strengthen the skin barrier and possess antioxidant properties can be beneficial. In fact, in one study, researchers found that topical shea butter could improve the appearance of the skin, the immune response, and the healing time of certain lesions.
Furthermore, shea butter contains bioactive ingredients that give it anti-inflammatory properties. A 2015 study consisting of 25 individuals suffering from mild to moderate eczema revealed that shea butter can help alleviate the signs and symptoms of eczema.
Shea butter, effective against wrinkles.
Shea butter helps to counteract the effects of the sun and skin ageing by promoting cellular renewal. Furthermore, it helps to restore skin elasticity, which is necessary for smoothing features and reducing wrinkles. These properties stem from the simultaneous action of vitamins 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 skin ageing results from the degradation of the skin's constituent proteins by the action of free radicals.
In which Typology skincare products can one find shea butter?
Ournourishing face creambased on hyaluronic acid contains a significant proportion of shea butter. Thanks to its content of moisturising and lipid-replenishing active ingredients, this treatment provides suppleness to the skin. Furthermore, it reduces feelings of tightness. It is suitable for normal, combination and dry skin types.
You can also find this vegetable butter in the firming night mask based on prickly pear oil, a nourishing balm to nourish and regenerate weakened skin, and firm up the tissues.
Shea butter is also present in our gel-in-oil stretch marks
with baobab oil to prevent and visibly reduce the appearance of stretch marks, while providing flexibility and elasticity to the skin.
Finally, our two solid cleansing treatments cold-processed (CP) and 100% natural, 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. & co. Patient acceptability, effectiveness, and skin biophysics of a cream and cleanser containing a lipid complex with shea butter extract compared to a ceramide product for eczema. Hong Kong Medical Journal (2015).
SANTIAGO J. L. & co. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of certain plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018).
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