Shea butter is a natural treasure that has been used for centuries in Africa for its exceptional skin and hair care properties. This product, made from the fruit of the shea tree (see also our article on the origin and production of shea butter) has a unique composition rich in fatty acids, vitamins and unsaponifiables, offering hydration, nutrition and protection to our skin. Discover the secrets, benefits and tips for using shea butter in your daily beauty care.
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The secrets of shea butter: An introduction to a beauty treasure
Native to West Africa, shea butter was already used in ancient times by Egyptian queens to preserve their beauty. Even today, this precious ingredient is found in many natural cosmetics thanks to its countless virtues for skin and hair.
Miraculous composition: What makes shea butter unique
Shea butter owes its richness to its exceptional composition of fatty acids and unsaponifiables, including vitamins (A, E and F). These elements nourish, repair and protect skin and hair.
Fatty acids provide nourishment and help maintain skin elasticity. Vitamins are essential for stimulating cell renewal and combating the signs of skin aging. As for the other unsaponifiables, they have an anti-inflammatory action and promote healing.
So-called “unsaponifiables” are components found in shea butter (or any other butter or oil) which cannot be transformed into soap during the saponification process. Unsaponifiables are important in cosmetics, because they contain elements that are good for the skin, such as vitamins and substances that help, for example, to protect, soothe or moisturize it.
Deep hydration: The natural answer for dry, damaged skin
Shea butter is an excellent natural moisturizer, particularly suited to dry, sensitive or atopic skin. It contains ceramides, which strengthen the skin barrier and regulate hydration. It penetrates quickly and deeply into the epidermis to intensely nourish without leaving a greasy film.
For optimum hydration, apply shea butter all over the body and face, paying particular attention to particularly dry areas such as elbows, knees and feet.
Shiny hair with shea butter
Hair, too, can benefit from shea butter. Whether your hair is dry, dull, brittle or damaged by chemical treatments, this natural treasure can restore shine and vitality.
Incorporate shea butter into your hair routine by using it as a pre-shampoo mask, an after-shampoo balm or a leave-in treatment for the ends. You can also lightly massage your scalp with a small amount of shea butter to soothe itching and eliminate dandruff.
Shea butter against skin ageing
Thanks to its rich antioxidant and vitamin content, shea butter effectively combats the free radicals responsible for skin ageing. It also stimulates collagen production, improving skin elasticity and firmness.
Apply shea butter regularly to your face to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and restore a radiant complexion.
Choosing and using shea butter
To enjoy the full benefits of shea butter, it’s essential to choose a pure, unrefined product from ethical, organic production. Choose “Organic” and “Fair Trade” labels to guarantee the quality and social commitment behind your purchase.
Shea butter can be used on its own or blended with other vegetable oils (argan, coconut, almond) to enrich its texture and provide complementary properties. Feel free to personalize your treatments by adding a few drops of essential oils adapted to your specific needs.
Ecological, economic and social impacts
Responsible shea butter production not only helps preserve the environment, but also supports the local communities that depend on it economically. By choosing fair trade shea butter, you’re contributing to the sustainable development of the regions where it is produced, and to improving the living conditions of the women who extract the precious butter.
To go even further, choose recyclable packaging and companies committed to a global approach to social and environmental responsibility.
What about O’Naturalis?
We use certified organic shea butter from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
Shea butter is present in many products. It is found in large quantities in most of our solid soaps, such as O’Cali , O’Cigalou , O’Melia or, of course, O’Norée our shea butter and patchouli soap. But also in our three solid shampoos; O’Dolly , O’Douja and O’Kapi in our beard balm, O’Bart and in our burnout foot cream, O’Panard .
Shea butter is one of our favorite ingredients, and we select it with care.
Some examples from our catalog:
