Benefits and Properties of Shea Butter (Ori in Yoruba)

What is shea butter? What benefits does it have for our skin and hair? We solve all your doubts about this natural product. Shea butter is a natural product originally used in Africa, a tree that grows savanna in central and western Africa (Butyrospermum), in countries such as Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso is responsible for this cosmetic treasure.

The fruits that this tree produces look like walnuts and naturally fat white almonds are hidden inside. When these almonds are extracted they turn into a yellowish mass: shea butter. Each year, a tree produces an average of twenty kilos of mass.

Shea butter can be purchased in our local markets, can be mass-processed or directly incorporated into cosmetic products that could be sold in specialized stores, department stores and even online.

In this article, we will talk about the benefits of shea butter, the properties of shea butter and even how to use it effectively for various needs.

Properties of Shea Butter

This product has numerous repairing properties: in addition to softening the skin, it gives it flexibility and deeply hydrates it. It is rich in vitamins A, D, E and F, it is composed of latex and components that prevent the butter from turning into soap. It is a natural care with multiple uses.

Benefits Of Shea Butter

Below we have listed the uses and also the benefit of shea butter:

1. Cosmetic Uses

If you decide to use the dough, you will see that the appearance of the butter has nothing to do with the creams or milk that are sold in traditional stores. It is presented in a much more consistent and difficult to apply product. It is normal, before applying it you should rub the butter vigorously between your hands to heat it and transform it into oil.

Do not try to do it with a dryer or placing it near a heat source much less putting it in the microwave.

2. Shea Butter and Face Care

It is an excellent product for facial care. Its benefits of shea butter for the face include elasticity, hydration and protection of the skin. It can be used as a lip balm and is very effective. It is also useful for the area of the nose if we have it irritated due to constipation, in seasons, or an allergy.

The benefit of shea butter for men is that it can be used as an after-shave treatment to soothe irritated skin. We must pay attention to the oily result left by the butter, let’s not forget to clean it with a wet wipe.

3. For Body Care

The shea butter is particularly recommended for very dry skin. If you buy it in the form of dough, here are different tricks to apply it:

In the bathroom: add some butter nuts to the water. A thin layer of product will cover your body. It is fantastic to relax and you will notice a great feeling of well-being. When you get out of the bath your skin will be very soft.
In massage: like hydrating milk, shea butter can be applied to give a massage to relax the muscles. Give it to your arms and legs. You will see that the effect is immediate if you have stiffness.
After waxing: apart from its moisturizing action, shea butter soothes the skin thanks to its soothing and relaxing properties.
Anti-stretch marks: if you are dieting or if you are pregnant, apply butter to the areas where you usually lose weight or gain weight, such as the legs, for example. It will serve as an action to prevent stretch marks. It is a preventive action, it does not make stretch marks that we already have disappear.

4. For hand care

There are many brands that have selected the caring properties of shea butter to create a nourishing cream. Shea butter heals cracks and deeply moisturizes hands.

5. For hair care

It is also an excellent solution to achieve healthy hair, especially if we have it dry and dull, as butter restores all the vitality it lacks. It’s great for curly hair, which is naturally drier than other hair types.

If you are looking for a hydrating action, apply the shea butter the night before washing your hair. You do not need to use too much because it will be difficult to rinse it later. You should put it on from the tips to the roots and let the hair rest wrapped in a hot towel. After 15-20 minutes, dry your hair so that the pillow does not stain. The butter will act overnight and the hair will absorb the keratin.

In the morning, wash your head to remove any remaining butter. You will probably have to repeat the wash several times. Our advice is that you wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Where to buy shea butter and at what price?

Internet is where we will find it more easily. There are many online stores that offer this product. But pay attention and do not buy on just any website, check the site you want to buy from for customer reviews of the store or vendor selling it before buying it.

It can also be bought on Jiji, Jumia and even Amazon. Aside from buying shea butter online, you can also get it easily in our local market from market women.

We also have processed ones from pharmacy and skincare products sellers, though my advice for you is to buy the raw shea butter from our local market, it has not been diluted or pass through any form of processing.