The overwhelming opinion here on the Country Goods USA farm is that shea butter should be your skin’s new BFF. That’s exactly why include this ingredient in all of our soap formulas! But what is it? Well, shea butter is fat from a nut found in wild growing Shea Trees in West Africa.
The butter extracted from these nuts is high in vitamins A, E, and F, and has a host of benefits including healthy skin cell growth, faster cell regeneration, and a healthy immune system. Ingredients such as linoleic and palmitic acids, triglycerides, and cetyl esters, condition the skin, moisturize, and so much more! With benefits like these, it’s no wonder shea butter has grown in popularity over the years. Read on to discover all the wonders of shea…
Emollients are substances that soften skin and restore elasticity. Shea butter in our soap, in particular, makes a great emollient due to it’s high concentration in fatty acids and vitamins. Using shea butter in soap helps condition, tone, and soothe irritated skin.
Shea butter is a proven moisturizer and humectant. Fatty acids in the butter act as a skin barrier that seals and hydrates the skin, for a moisturizing effect that can last several hours.
The antioxidants in shea butter are well known for their soothing and anti-aging properties. Shea butter contains triterpenes, an organic chemical compound which may promote collagen production and decrease collagen fiber destruction. These organic chemical compounds are thought to minimize the appearance of fine lines and generate newer healthier cells, which results in plumper skin.
Compared to other topical ingredients, shea butter is surprisingly hypo-allergenic. In fact, allergic reactions to shea butter are rare. Even those who have tree-nut allergies, have a low risk of reaction to shea butter. Researchers believe this is due to the low content of tree-nut proteins that usually trigger allergies.
Shea butter can be exceptionally beneficial for those with skin conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea, and contact dermatitis. The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin F in shea butter helps reduce redness, swelling, and itching. Shea also absorbs quickly in the skin making it a great option for those who need immediate relief from a flare-up. Furthermore the fatty acids in shea butter act to soothe the skin by retaining moisture while its healing.
Research also shows that the oils in shea butter may be helpful in healing superficial skin burns such as sunburn, and shield wounds from environmental irritants.
Shea butter is a natural sunscreen? With an SPF of 3 or 4, shea cannot be used as sunscreen by itself but it does give added protection in conjunction with your favorite sunblock, so layer it up!
Thought to prevent scar tissue from forming and help healthier cells to take its place, using shea butter in soap helps heal your skin and fade the appearance of dark marks and scars over time.
Shea butter has both antifungal and antibacterial properties. As a fungicide it acts as a preventative against ringworm and athlete’s foot by killing off spores before they become a problem. Additionally, studies show that when taken as an oral supplement, shea bark reduced bacterial activity in animals. Due to these results it is thought that shea butter can be used to decrease acne, making shea a useful ingredient for fighting breakouts.
Shea butter is packed with essential nutrients that can enhance your natural complexion, hydrate, and help promote healthy glowing skin. This is why we include this wonder ingredient in our various soaps. If you havenn’t already, we encourage you to make the switch to our wonderful, handcrafted soap. Your skin will thank you!
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