Natural oils, gifted to us by nature, often find their application in cosmetology. There is nothing surprising in this. The fact is that the valuable composition of the oils cannot be compared with any of the skin care products. This natural product allows us to look younger, forgetting about wrinkles and many other cosmetic problems.
A special and most honorable place in this matter is Shea butter. Indeed, the composition of this unique product may well be envied by any, even the most expensive creams.
Origin
Since time immemorial, people in Africa have been using shea butter. And this is because, due to its valuable properties, it is able to have a beneficial effect.
Shea butter is produced from the fruits of a tree, which has several names. This is kolo and kare, shea and shi. This tree grows in the savannahs of Nigeria and Senegal. It is also grown in Sudan, Mali and Ghana. Externally, sheer is similar to oak. This similarity gives him a solid trunk and a long life expectancy (up to 300 years).
Bone is extracted from the shea fruit, which looks similar to miniature avocados. They are the direct source of healing oil. The bones are fried or boiled, and then thoroughly crushed.
Getting oil
A unique seed shea seed product can be prepared in two ways. One of them is manual, and the second is production.
The first method of obtaining oil is the most laborious and requires a lot of patience. When using it, the seeds are crushed in mortars, and then a small amount of water is added to the resulting mass. The mixture is thoroughly triturated until a brown paste forms.
The next step is the rinse process. It is carried out until the formation of foam, which is then collected, and then boiled. The uppermost layer of the resulting broth is removed and left to cool. This substance, resembling a kind of baked milk, is the famous shea butter.
Get this product and modern technical developments. In the production method, the seeds of shea fruit go through the stages of heat treatment, filtration, bleaching, and then deodorization. The resulting product has an attractive snow-white color and lacks a specific smell.
Chemical composition
Shea butter contains very valuable vitamins E, A and C. In addition, its composition is rich in macro- and microelements, proteins, fatty acids (palmitic and linolenic, myristic and arachic, stearic and oleic), phytosterols and alcohols.
Beneficial features
Since ancient times, the inhabitants of the African continent have used shea butter to prepare a variety of dishes. This product is highly nutritious. In addition, it is a worthy substitute for the usual for Europeans butter and sunflower oil.
Thanks to the fatty acids contained in a natural African product in the human body:
- all intercellular walls are strengthened;
- the formation of hormone-like substances is accelerated;
- a large amount of energy is released for life.
In the culinary of civilized countries, shea butter is practically not used. It is only occasionally used in some areas of the food industry. For example, it can be the production of chocolate or margarine. This amazing oil has gained the greatest popularity in cosmetology. It is included in a variety of creams and masks, scrubs and lipsticks, as well as healing balms. Shea butter is especially often used for face. The reviews of cosmetologists confirm that this natural product has an impressive list of medicinal properties. So, it is capable of:
- to supply the skin with vitamins A, D and E, which are very necessary for her, which maintain her healthy state and elasticity;
- increase collagen formation, preventing age-related skin changes;
- reduce inflammatory processes and associated tissue edema.
In addition, shea butter is distinguished by antimicrobial activity. It is able to increase local blood circulation, which is used during massage. Shea butter accelerates the healing of cracks, heals burns, as well as small wounds. It eliminates diaper rash and acne, and also moisturizes and nourishes the skin, while combating peeling processes and protecting it from the aggressive effects of frost and sun, sea water, wind, etc. A unique product is recommended for strengthening the cuticle, nail plates and hair.
When is shea butter used for face? User reviews confirm that it works great on dry and sore, tired and sensitive skin. Who is recommended this unique natural remedy? Owners of problematic and fading, irritated, aging and very thin skin. Natural shea butter will fill it with essential elements for health. In addition, when using this product, the complexion improves.
Unique shea butter is recommended by cosmetologists and for problems such as:
- psoriasis;
- frostbite and burns;
- eczema
- dermatosis;
- allergy.
Gentle care
One of the most unique forms of cosmetics is a cream souffle for the face. With shea butter and other healing ingredients, it can be seen on the shelves of many stores selling health products. The name of the tool was not accidental. The fact is that in its consistency it resembles an appetizing and airy dessert cream. The incredibly delicate structure of the product has been loved by many women.
Such creams contain ingredients used in conventional cremation. These are saturated and fatty shea butter, grapes, coconut, etc. All these ingredients are thoroughly whipped, acquiring an airy and light structure. At the same time, all components, including shea butter for the face, become very useful. Customer reviews confirm that such products perfectly moisturize and soften the skin, as well as smooth out wrinkles that appear on it. In this case, the recharge of the epidermis occurs much faster than with conventional creams. In addition, the cosmetic souffle will not leave after using residues on the face, similar to a greasy film.
Due to the delicate structure of the product, shea butter for the face produces the maximum effect. User reviews claim that such a cream has a particularly beneficial effect on the skin, clogging pores and eliminating many shortcomings. Beauticians say that such a tool perfectly restores all damaged cells. This leads to the fact that the skin of the face becomes silky, soft and soft.
Self cosmetic
Shea butter for facial skin can be used as an independent substance. There is no need to add other ingredients to it. What are pure shea butter used for? User reviews confirm that the natural African product is effective in:
- Masks
- Cream.
- Sunscreen.
Shea butter for face can be used on any type of skin. Moreover, it is effective even when the face has open wounds or is susceptible to some kind of dermatological disease.
Due to its excellent moisturizing properties and the absence of chemical impurities, a natural African product is used to protect the skin of newborns.
If you decide to use Shea butter for your face as an independent cosmetic element, then you can take it immediately from a jar. Only hands should be previously disinfected. Shea butter in this case will easily melt from the temperature of the fingers. This greatly simplifies the procedure for applying it to the skin.
Shea butter in masks
An amazing product from the fruits of a tree growing in Africa, has been used for cosmetic purposes since the time of Cleopatra. Thanks to this component, the beneficial effects of creams and masks can be discussed after several applications. Use shea can women of any age. But this product is especially recommended for those over 30. Moreover, the application of nourishing and tonic masks allows women of this age category to achieve maximum effect.
How to cook this cosmetic product at home? First of all, you need to warm up 2 tbsp. l Shea butter in a water bath, adding 1 teaspoon of lemon peel powder, one chicken yolk and 1 tbsp. l rosehip oil. Such a tool is perfect for frequent use, as it has no contraindications.
Also, many women will like a face mask with shea butter, which has a regenerating and tonic property. For its preparation, coconut and shea butter are mixed in equal parts, as well as pre-mashed pulp of aloe leaves. The healing composition is applied to the skin of the face, left for 20 minutes, and then washed off with warm water.
To prepare a mask that produces a nourishing and softening effect, it is necessary to mix equal amounts of shea butter with natural honey and olive oil. After, to the resulting product should be added one banana, peeled.
What else does shea butter get reviews? In addition to a natural African product, such wonderful ingredients as natural honey, wheat seedlings and jojoba can be added to the face in masks. All of these components are taken in equal amounts and thoroughly mixed. According to cosmetologists, this face mask with shea butter nourishes and moisturizes the skin well.
Shea Butter Creams
The products, which contain an exotic product from the fruits of the shea tree, are perfect for sensitive and dry skin. Face cream with shea butter is made from a mixture of healing ingredients. It contains 4 teaspoons of almond oil and 2 teaspoons of shea butter, as well as essential oils of blue chamomile and lavender. The resulting mixture should thicken, and for this it should be placed in the refrigerator.
Various ingredients can be added to creams from an exotic African product. However, it is worth remembering that for the preparation of a nutrient it is advisable to heat shea butter in a water bath, the temperature of which should not be higher than 38-40 degrees. Yes, you will spend a certain amount of time, but the result, without any doubt, will exceed all expectations.
Using this method, a cream for deep hydration is also prepared. It includes:
- 50 g shea;
- 40 ml tincture of cinnamon;
- 30 g of wax (beeswax);
- 10 ml of orange juice;
- 4 drops of sandalwood oil ether
- 10 ml avocado oil.
At the initial stage, melt the wax and mix it with shea. Only after that the remaining ingredients are added to the composition, which are thoroughly mixed. It is desirable to store such a cream in a glass container.
Shea butter is without a doubt a valuable product for the preparation of cosmetics. However, in its natural form, it brings many benefits. So, cosmetologists recommend applying Shea butter for the face at night instead of a cream. Reviews of women using this product confirm that the skin pleases them with freshness and elasticity.
Wrinkle fighting
A product extracted from the fruits of the shea tree helps prevent skin aging. Shea butter for wrinkles is often used. Reviews of cosmetologists confirm that this product restores and nourishes the skin cells, making it elastic, and also retains moisture in the stratum corneum. In this case, wrinkles disappear altogether or become less noticeable.
Using shea butter for this purpose is very simple. Every day in the morning and evening it should be applied to those areas of the skin where there are wrinkles. Additionally, these same areas can be lubricated with oil during the day. The skin before this procedure should be cleaned of powder, foundation and other means.
Effectively eliminate wrinkles can be using creams, which in addition to shea butter contains essential oils. Hot compresses with an exotic African product will also help get rid of wrinkles on the face. To conduct them, shea butter is placed in a towel or napkin. They are folded in a strip, the width of which is 20-25 cm. Next, a towel or napkin with shea butter is dipped in hot water. Then squeeze and put on the face. The middle part of such a compress should be on the lower part of the chin, and its ends should be placed on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Do not close only the nostrils and mouth.
The compress is held for 2-3 minutes, after which the skin is wiped and rinsed with cold water. And in this case, shea butter for the face works fine from wrinkles. Reviews of women who regularly perform this procedure indicate its effectiveness. The skin becomes elastic, and wrinkles are eliminated.
Active sun protection
In order to eliminate the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, you will need to prepare a special cream, which also includes shea butter. The product must be obtained in a water bath. This will require the use of suitable utensils. All the ingredients will need to be mixed in a glass container.
At the first stage, you need to take two oils - shea butter (in the amount of 3 tbsp. L.) And avocado (in the amount of 6 tbsp. L.). The ingredients are mixed and added to them 1 tbsp. l beeswax. Next, zinc oxide (2 tbsp.) Is poured into the mixture, and then vitamin E is dissolved in it in the volume of one capsule. The finished cream is stored in the refrigerator, in a container with a tightly closed lid, applying it immediately before going outside on a hot sunny day.