Exploring the Various Shea Butter Properties

The most commonly known use for Shea butter is to treat severely dry skin.  In addition, Shea butter is good as an anti-inflammatory and may help to treat acne, rashes, and other skin problems.  Due to the many beneficial Shea butter properties, however, Shea butter isn't just ideal for use as a moisturizer and as a healer.  In fact, it is useful as cooking oil as well.
Making the Hair Healthy
The unique Shea butter properties also make it highly desirable for use in hair care products such as hair conditioners.  Shea butter is particularly beneficial for brittle hair and can be used to help control hair breakage.

Avoiding Greasy Residue While Caring for the Skin
As a skin softener, Shea butter is widely used in moisturizers.  This is particularly true when it comes to higher-end goods.  Skin naturally absorbs Shea butter quickly, which makes lotions that are made with Shea butter smooth moisturizers that do not leave a greasy mess on the skin.

What makes Shea butter such a great product is the fact that it contains high levels of Vitamin A, which is well known for its skin healing abilities.  It also includes Vitamin E, which is associated with having anti-aging properties that help keep skin looking younger and healthier.  In addition, it is believed that it can help improve circulation by encouraging more blood flow under the skin, which further enhances the appearance of your skin.

Some women like to use Shea butter to help prevent or eliminate stretch marks during pregnancy.  It is believed that it can also help reduce the signs of wrinkles and skin discoloration due to its anti-aging properties.  People suffering from psoriasis can apply Shea butter on the affected areas and find that the irritation should decrease.

When using this natural moisturizer to improve the skin, it may take a little bit of time for the Shea butter properties to really make a difference in the overall appearance of the skin condition.  How long it can take will vary based on what it is you are trying to improve, but it is best to use Shea butter every day in order to get the best results.  If you are using it just to improve itching, on the other hand, you may find that you are able to get immediate relief after just one application.

Keeping Yourself Protected from the Sun
Shea butter properties are so unique that using it on the skin can also provide some level of UV protection.  Do not expect more than a minimal level of protection from Shea butter, however, as it does not have a high SPF level.  Therefore, if you burn easily, it is a good idea to use a lotion with a higher SPF.  For this reason, many people actually prefer to use Shea butter after they get out of the sun because it is good for treating sunburns and helping the skin repair itself faster.

Cooking Tasty Tidbits
The primary use for Shea butter is in the production of chocolate because it is edible and can be safely used in food sources.  In areas like West Africa where this grows naturally on the Karite tree, Shea butter is often used as cooking oil.  Since it is used in cooking and because harvesting Shea butter can sometimes be difficult, the market fluctuates regularly.  This can have an impact on how much Shea butter is available for use in cosmetic products such as moisturizers.

The properties of Shea butter are remarkable.  There are not many naturally occurring products that have so many diverse uses.  As a moisturizer or as a food, this is a great product for use by consumers.