Beurre de karite method of application

Shea butter, or shea butter, is one of the most popular oils used in cosmetology. It can be found in moisturizing creams for the face and body and hair balms. However, in its pure form it is also very useful, so it can be used as an independent product for skin and hair care. In this article we will get acquainted with the beneficial properties of this amazing product and consider effective and popular cosmetics that contain it.

What is shea butter?

Shea butter is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of the vitellaria amazinga tree, more familiar to us under the names “butter tree”, “shea tree” or “shea tree”. It is a tree of the Sapotaceae family, native to West and Central Africa. It can reach twenty meters in height and can live for several centuries. The tree begins to bear fruit at the age of fifty, and for a hundred years or more produces a rich harvest.

shea butter is a cosmetic product obtained from the seeds of the shea butter tree

Shea butter production process

There are two types of oil production: manual, proven over centuries, and technologically advanced industrial.

Manual method

The manual production method is ancient and labor-intensive. The oil is hand-produced by African households and involves several stages. Mostly women do this. Ripe fruits that have fallen from the trees are collected. They are sorted into special vats and buried in the ground for at least twelve days. This is done to make the process of extracting the seeds easier, because the oil is extracted from the seeds of the fruit. To prevent the seeds from germinating, they are boiled and then continuously fried for four days. Thanks to this treatment, the seeds can be stored for nine months until it is time for further processing. The peel is removed from the prepared seeds, the core is fried for twenty-four hours, and then crushed with a stone, resulting in a brown paste. Add water to it and stir vigorously several times. The mixture that is formed as a result of these manipulations is washed several times in water. Each time it acquires a lighter shade. Then it is boiled, in the process a decoction is obtained. The cooled top layer of this decoction is shea butter. The oil produced in this natural way has a brown tint and has a special smell.

Industrial method

Africans are increasingly exporting shea trees rather than the butter itself. This is due to the fact that European firms prefer to use modern technologies for extracting oil from seeds, since they are cheap and reliable, and also allow them to obtain products of a more acceptable quality. In addition, African countries are unable to supply enough oil to the market, as women are unwilling to take part in the labor-intensive manual production process. Modern technological improvements in the process of obtaining shea butter include additional heat treatment, filtration, bleaching and processing with hot dry steam under vacuum conditions. The resulting oil has an attractive white color and does not have a specific odor.

Properties of shea butter

Shea butter is included in the list of the most valuable oils. Thanks to a wide range of properties such as:

this oil is widely used in cosmetology. In addition, shea butter can be used as a food product (for example, in baked goods), since it has a high calorie content (844 kcal per 100 grams) and includes:

1. vitamins A, B6, B9, E, F and PP;
2. essential fatty acids: linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic.

These compounds help strengthen all cell walls in the human body and serve as sources of energy.

Perhaps the most widespread use of shea butter is in cosmetology. It is popular in the production of a variety of cosmetic products and medicinal creams. Shea butter has become a popular component of masks, creams, lipsticks, exfoliating products - gommages and scrubs. It is perfectly absorbed into the skin and goes well with other aromatic essential oils. In addition, this oil is believed to have medicinal properties. Therefore, it can often be seen in the list of components of medicinal cosmetics - healing ointments, anti-inflammatory balms. Due to its beneficial properties, shea butter:

1. fills the skin with essential vitamins that help maintain its elasticity and radiance;
2. prevents age-related changes in the skin, increasing the skin's production of collagen (a protein that forms the basis of the body's connective tissue and ensures its strength and elasticity), and also helps reduce stretch marks (stretch marks), which can appear with a significant increase in weight, with rapid weight loss or during pregnancy;
3. helps reduce inflammation and associated swelling, so it is used for minor injuries, sprains and bruises as a local remedy that is rubbed into the affected area;
4. locally increases blood circulation, as a result of which it can serve as an excellent auxiliary during massage;
5. promotes the healing of burns, is an additional remedy for the treatment of acne;
6. nourishes and moisturizes the skin, does not allow it to peel and protects from the vagaries of nature (aggressive sun, hot wind, severe frost).

Shea butter is used in cosmetology to care for the face, hair and the whole body

Ways to use shea butter

Shea butter can serve as a base for various balms and creams that you can make at home yourself. Wraps with shea butter will help eradicate the first manifestations of cellulite or remove its rather obvious signs. You can combine both procedures - visit a bathhouse or sauna, where you can do an anti-cellulite wrap with shea butter. However, you should not expect a miracle if cosmetic procedures using shea butter are carried out once a month. Regular use of the product is the key to its effective effect.

You can find many recipes for home remedies using shea butter on the Internet. Here are some examples of effective remedies.

Recipes for the face

Cosmetologists recommend using shea butter for any type of facial skin, but use it with caution if your skin is oily, as it can cause blockage of the sebaceous glands.

Nutritious cream

Shea butter is used quite often for facial skin; nourishing creams have a particularly good effect. To prepare this cream we will need the following components:

1. beeswax - 30 gr.;
2. shea butter - 50 gr.;
3. cinnamon tincture - 30 g;
4. natural orange juice – 10 ml;
5. two favorite essential oils of your choice – 5 drops.

Melt the wax and mix with shea butter. Add the remaining ingredients to the mixture and mix thoroughly. Apply to the face at night. After using the cream, the skin is nourished with beneficial substances and feels rested. The cream can be stored in a glass container in the refrigerator.

Or you can do it simpler: to use shea butter as a night face cream, you just need to rub a small amount of oil in your hands to warm it up, and apply it to your face overnight. You can mix it with your favorite store-bought moisturizer to increase its nutritional properties.

Express mask

A mask based on shea butter will help you quickly tidy up your facial skin and give it a fresh and rested look. To prepare it you need to take:

1. banana pulp – 1/2 pcs.;
2. shea butter – 1 tsp;
3. natural yogurt – 1 tsp;
4. liquid vitamin E – 2 drops.

All components of the mask must be combined (pre-mash the banana with a spoon), apply a thick layer to the skin of the face and go to lie quietly on the sofa. After half an hour, wash off the mask with warm water. The skin after such a mask is velvety to the touch and perfectly nourished with useful substances.

Recipes for the body

Moisturizing hand cream

Shea butter is a popular ingredient in homemade hand care products. To make your hands look well-groomed and smooth, you can prepare a cream from the following ingredients:

1. chamomile decoction - 100 ml;
2. shea butter – 1 tsp;
3. jojoba oil - 1 tsp;
4. orange essential oil - 4 drops.

To prepare a chamomile decoction, pour two tablespoons of dried flowers of the plant into a glass of water, put on fire, bring to a boil and cook for an hour. Then the broth needs to be filtered and cooled. Add all the other ingredients listed above to the concentrated decoction. The cream must be thoroughly whipped. As a result of using the cream twice a day, the skin of your hands is perfectly moisturized.

Anti-cellulite wrap

Shea butter is an excellent auxiliary remedy for combating skin imperfections, such as cellulite. For the procedure we will need:

1. dark chocolate bar without additives – 1 pc.;
2. shea butter – 2 tbsp;
3. natural yogurt - 100 gr.

The chocolate must first be melted in a water bath, then add shea butter and, after mixing thoroughly, cool. Lastly, add yogurt, mix again and apply to problem areas on the body. Wrap the top with cling film and leave to act for half an hour. Then remove the film and rinse off the remaining product with warm water. The procedure must be carried out several times a week; in combination with a visit to the sauna, the positive effect is enhanced.

Hair recipe

To treat split ends, you can use a mask made from shea butter, avocado oil and burdock oil. Take to prepare the mask:

1. burdock oil - 2 tbsp;
2. shea butter - 2 tbsp;
3. avocado oil -1 tsp.

You need to slightly warm up the mixture of these luxurious ingredients and apply it to your hair, wrap your head in a towel and leave for at least an hour, and preferably overnight. You need to wash off this mask with regular shampoo. If you use the mask twice a week, the condition of your hair will noticeably improve.

Options for using oil for children

For many mothers, shea butter is a permanent “resident” of the home medicine cabinet. It is used to relieve various types of inflammation on a child’s skin, for example, irritation from diapers.

A massage given to your baby using shea butter will be extremely beneficial. The baby's skin is saturated with useful microelements, and the vitamins included in the composition will ensure that allergic reactions do not occur.

Shea butter will quickly heal a wound if a child is accidentally scratched. The oil will prevent the development of inflammatory processes. If the baby's room is hot, you can lubricate the baby's buttocks under the diaper with a small amount of this wonderful product to avoid diaper rash. This ensures that the child sleeps soundly and healthy, and will not be disturbed by discomfort during bowel movements.

Not all clothing can protect a baby's face from harsh weather conditions during the cold season. But you can apply a little shea butter to the baby’s cheeks, and a reliable barrier will not allow the cold to harm the baby’s delicate skin. At the same time, the penetration of air into the skin is not blocked at all.

Popular cosmetic products containing shea butter

The cosmetics industry actively includes shea butter in its products. Some of them have become real “hits” in the cosmetic bags of well-groomed girls. There are many of them, both from budget brands and from manufacturers of cosmetics in a higher price segment. Based on the huge number of positive reviews, the following products can be distinguished.

Hair care products

1. Shampoo Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo from Shea Moisture;
2. Shampoo for dry and damaged hair Organic Shea Butter from Planeta Organica;
3. Shampoo with Shea butter MEGA SLEEK from Matrix;
4. Mask Shea Butter Hair For Very Dry Hair from Health & Beauty Dead Sea Minerals.

Body creams

1. Nourishing body cream with shea butter ORGANIC SHEA BUTTER 20% from Planeta Organica;
2. Anti-stress body cream with shea butter from STYX;
3. Body cream with shea butter SATIN BODY "White tea and citrus" from Mary Kay.

Facial products

1. Protective face cream “Hemp oil” with shea butter from The Body Shop;
2. Gentle Shea Facial Toner from L’Occitane;
3. Le Petit Olivier face cream with Shea butter MEGA SLEEK from Le Petit Olivier.

Where to buy shea butter?

If you want to buy real handmade shea butter, you will have to visit one of the African countries. Where it is handcrafted, locals sell this amazing product right next to their homes and in local markets. You can even buy shea tree seeds and make your own butter. Seeds and oil become cheaper during the rainy season because the trees bear fruit and there is an overproduction of the product. During the dry season, the price of oil doubles. Pure shea butter, produced industrially, can be purchased at almost any pharmacy.

From this article you learned that shea butter is a truly wonderful means of caring for the skin of the face, body and hair. In addition, shea butter is an excellent topical remedy. You have become acquainted with recipes for home care products based on this component, as well as the most effective purchased products.

Syn: shea, vitellaria amazing, butyrospermum parka, oil tree.

Shea butter is a tree of the Sapotaceae family with a spreading crown and leathery leaves. It grows for several centuries, reaches 10-20 m in height. Oil is extracted from its seeds, which is widely used in cosmetology, pharmacology and as a food product.

Table of contents

In medicine

The plant is not used in official medicine and is not included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.

Oil is extracted from the shea nut, which is used to heal wounds and burns, relieve inflammation and swelling in joint pain, treat cracked heels and prevent scars and stretch marks. Shea butter is used to protect the skin from exposure to ultraviolet radiation and frost, as well as in complex therapy in the treatment of allergic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the oil allow it to be used in the treatment of runny nose.

Contraindications and side effects

Shea butter is contraindicated for people prone to allergies. It contains latex, which can cause allergic reactions. You should use ointments and creams that contain shea butter with caution. Due to the lack of scientific data on the effect of the plant on pregnant and lactating women, as well as children, experts do not recommend the use of shea butter for these groups of people.

In cooking

The fruits of the tree, similar in taste to plums, are consumed fresh by Africans, and oil is produced from the seeds. Shea butter is widely used in cooking in all African countries. It is used for frying, added to prepared dishes and used in making sweets. In many areas it replaces all other animal and vegetable oils. On the African continent, unrefined shea butter is used. It has a fairly strong nutty aroma, contains a large amount of useful substances and has a short shelf life.

In European countries, shea butter is used in the food industry, as a substitute for cocoa butter in the production of chocolate and other confectionery products, and also as a raw material for the production of spreads and other culinary combined fats.

Shea butter has recently been used in Russia. It is used mainly in confectionery factories. In both European countries and Russia, only refined oil is used.

In cosmetology

Shea butter has been used in cosmetology for about 20 years. Today it is one of the constituent elements of various cosmetics developed by dermatologists. Widely used in the production of skin care, anti-aging and sun protection cosmetics. It is added to lipsticks and lip balms, as well as hand creams and products against cellulite and stretch marks. Using shea butter on your lips moisturizes them, protects them from sun rays and wind, softens and relieves inflammation. It is also added in the production of natural soap.

Using shea butter on the face helps improve skin color, nourish and moisturize it. It is used to care for all skin types, including sensitive skin around the eyes. Shea butter is used to protect the skin from the sun, low temperatures and wind. To do this, apply it to exposed areas of the body 40 minutes before going outside, and after absorbing the excess, blot it off with a paper napkin. The protective effect lasts for 8 hours.

It is useful to use shea butter as a night cream, especially for aging skin. The fats it contains promote the synthesis of collagen fibers and skin regeneration.

You can use shea butter for your hair. It nourishes, moisturizes and relieves dryness and brittleness, improves blood circulation in the scalp, strengthens hair follicles, helps restore hair structure, and stops hair loss. The oil should be applied to dry hair and kept warm for at least 2 hours.

Shea butter can often be seen in commercial hair care products, especially for lines for the restoration and care of split ends, brittle hair, which is often subject to chemical treatment (perm, dyeing) and thermal effects.

You can increase the effect of the oil by combining it with different essential oils and other natural ingredients. Shea butter helps active substances penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. When preparing creams and masks with shea butter, you should take into account the type and current condition of your skin.

Greetings to all readers of my blog. I have seen shea butter on sale more than once. I have seen it both as an independent product and as part of cosmetic products. I became interested in what kind of substance this is and how it is useful. It turns out that we call it shi. Have you heard of this? Let's look at the properties and uses of shea butter, as well as recipes for beauty with it.

How to get shea butter + composition

This product is extracted from the fruits of the African tree Butyrospermum parkii. Or rather, from fruit seeds. The name of the tree is quite long and difficult to pronounce. Therefore, local peoples called it se (shi) or karite (karite). This is how these common names came about. The peoples of Africa have been using the healing properties of this tree for a very long time. The oil is obtained by cold pressing.

It is hard in consistency and ranges in color from white to cream. Has a well-defined nutty aroma. At a temperature of 30-35 degrees, the consistency becomes like ghee. This product is consumed internally and is also used in cosmetology.

In cosmetic products, this 100% natural oil can be found under the name shea butter.

Shea butter consists of triglycerides. These are substances that are formed from oleic, stearic, and palmitic fatty acids. Plus, the oil contains unsaponifiable fats. These are caristerols, which are contained in the pulp of shea seeds. The uniqueness lies in this “ensemble” of fatty acids and unsaponifiable fats.

The researchers noted that the peoples of Africa use this product on their skin. And they have virtually no skin diseases, and their skin looks smooth and elastic.

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Valuable properties of shea butter

This cosmetic product stimulates the processes of replenishment of the hydrolipid mantle located on the surface of the epidermis. Shea nourishes tissues well, softens them and relieves irritation.

Thanks to its unique composition, shea butter is used to treat skin. It perfectly soothes dermatitis and is suitable for treating acne.

This product has a calming effect on tissues, stimulating their protective functions. Therefore, it is often used for diaper rash on the skin of babies. Shea butter will also help soothe itching after an insect bite.

Shea butter accelerates the healing of cuts, small wounds and cracks. It can be used for muscle injuries and sprained ligaments.

Shea butter stimulates blood circulation in capillaries. The pure product is applied to the affected area and rubbed in with massage movements.

The product has practically no contraindications. The only thing is latex intolerance. It turns out that shea butter contains natural latex. Therefore, this remedy is contraindicated for people allergic to this substance. True, such allergies are extremely rare.

Application of shea butter in cosmetology

Of course, shea butter gained the greatest popularity in cosmetology. And this is not surprising, because the effect of the product on the skin is truly unique. Shea butter is considered a vehicle in cosmetology. Since it penetrates deep into tissues and delivers nutrients to cells. Necessary cosmetic components combine perfectly with oil. And once they get into the tissue, they are also quickly released.

This is why shea butter is added to cosmetic products. It can be seen in hair, face and body products. It is actively used as a lip balm and in sunscreen cosmetics. Unsaponifiable fats in shea stimulate the formation of collagen. That is why the oil is recommended for the care of aging skin. But the barrier functions of tissues are enhanced by triglycerides. The cosmetic properties of Shea are as follows:

1. restorative function;
2. anti-inflammatory;
3. tightening;
4. nourishing;
5. healing;
6. softening;
7. transport.

Despite the fact that shea butter is 99% fat, it does not clog pores.

Recipes for masks and creams with shea butter

When making home remedies, choose quality oil. I recommend this - 100% natural shea butter. The price for it is quite affordable, considering that the jar is 100 g. It will last you for a long time 🙂 Well, now the recipes.

For hair growth. Take 45 ml of melted shea butter + 30 ml of castor oil. Add literally 2-3 drops of rosemary ether to the resulting mixture. Apply the mixture to the roots of your hair and distribute a little throughout the strands. Warm your head; you can wrap it with cling film and a towel. Leave the mask on your hair for an hour. Then wash everything off with shampoo. It is enough to use the mask once every 7 days. The course lasts 8-12 weeks.

To strengthen hair. If you want to strengthen your hair, restore its shine and beauty. Take 45 ml of shea butter + 30 ml of burdock oil and 5 ml of vitamin E. Apply to the roots of the hair, massage well. Distribute a little mask over your hair. Wrap your head in plastic and a towel. It is enough to leave the product on your hair for 40-60 minutes, then you need to rinse it off.

For oily facial skin. Dry the lemon peel and grind it in a coffee grinder. Add one tablespoon of this peel to the egg yolk. Leave the mixture in a closed container for 15 minutes. Then add 5 ml of shea butter + 5 ml of walnut oil. Apply the mask to a cleansed face and leave for up to half an hour. Then rinse with water. This mask nourishes and tones the skin, tightens pores.

For dry facial skin. If you have this skin type, make a mask with ripe avocado. Add 5 ml of melted shea butter to two tablespoons of avocado pulp. The same amount of jojoba oil and honey. Mix and apply to the skin and leave for a quarter of an hour. If the mixture turns out to be thick, then add the egg yolk. After the mask, you need to apply a nourishing cream.

For dry, aging skin. Prepare the following recipe:

1. 2 tsp melted shea
2. 20 ml almond oil
3. Two to three drops of chamomile essential oil
4. A couple of drops of lavender essential oil

The ingredients must be mixed while warm. When the cream has cooled, you can put it in a glass container and put it in the refrigerator. It is better to use the cream at night. Take the product each time with a clean spoon, not with your fingers.

For body. During the cold season, you can make a soothing skin cream. Take two tablespoons of coconut + shea butter + grape seed oils. Heat them in a steam bath, let cool slightly and mix well with a whisk. The result will be an airy cream that needs to be stored in the refrigerator. It can be used for hands, face and body in winter and in the off-season. The cream will prevent chapping, peeling and irritation.

For the spring-summer period, add sea buckthorn and aloe vera to shea and coconut butter in equal proportions. The last component perfectly protects from ultraviolet radiation, while not interfering with an even tan. Aloe vera can be purchased in ampoules at the pharmacy. The preparation method is the same as for winter cream. The consistency will give you a cream lotion.

If you are not a fan of homemade cosmetics, I advise you to pay attention to the Organic Essence brand . This company specializes exclusively in the production of natural cosmetics from shea butter. The products are so diverse that everyone can find something suitable. Shea butter is used as a base, additional components are 98.8-100% organic.

The products are certified in accordance with the USDA Organic standard (USA). Those. face, body, and lip care products do not undergo thermal or chemical treatment. Numerous positive reviews confirm the quality of this cosmetics.

Or pay attention to the tools that I described below.

Shea butter – in finished cosmetics

Many famous brands contain shea butter. I am a fan of the Vichy brand. Therefore, I will mainly recommend their products. Vichy's dry skin products have shea butter everywhere. You can also find shea butter in KORA and Bioderma cosmetics. Here are some of the effective remedies:

1. Idealia Day Cream is a very effective product for moisturizing dry skin. The cream contains glycerin, which softens the skin and helps retain moisture. A useful substance such as adenosine stimulates the production of your own collagen and elastin, reducing wrinkles. And of course, shea butter delivers the necessary components to the cells, making the skin smooth and elastic. You can read more about this cream in my article about Idealia series creams.
2. Nutrilogie 1 and Nutrilogie 2 - these creams are simply a salvation for dry and very dry skin. They contain a set of wonderful oils. These include jojoba, apricot kernel, coriander, shea butter and macadamia. These oils perfectly nourish dry facial skin and eliminate tightness. Read about the last ingredient in the article “properties of macadamia oil.” In addition to its nourishing and softening properties, the light texture of the cream allows it to be used under makeup.
3. Night care cream Vichy LiftActiv Supreme - this product helps to actively fight aging. In addition to apricot kernel oil and shea butter, it contains 5% rhamnose. This component promotes the active production of collagen and elastin in tissues. The cream also contains thermal water of volcanic origin. Which moisturizes, restores and soothes the skin.