Shea butter has become increasingly popular in all parts of the world and the reason isn’t beyond the fact that Shea butter is used in several beauty products ranging from hair to skin products. Shea butter originated from West Africa and was used for nutritional, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. This was very evident, especially during the regime of Cleopatra of Egypt around the first century. The extraction process of Shea butter is quite a lengthy one. It involves collection, cleaning, separating, drying and pounding till the nuts forms a dry paste. After that is completed, another cumbersome process which involves mixing, separation, purification, melting, filtering and cooling is carried out.
For several reasons, unrefined Shea butter is the best type out there, although it looks raw, a bit “unappealing” and has a smell that many people do not care for. Unrefined Shea butter has immense health benefits which the refined and scented ones do not have. Read on to find out the benefits of unrefined Shea butter for both hair and skin.
Benefits of Unrefined Shea Butter for Hair
Unrefined Shea butter has immense benefits for the overall health and growth of the hair. Some of the benefits it provides for the hair include;
- Prevention of Dandruff and Damaged Hair: Unrefined Shea butter works well in preventing dandruff and scalp itching while preventing overall hair damage. The scalp suffers a lot due to flat ironing, curling, chemical/relaxer application, hair color/dye and lots more. The regular application of unrefined Shea butter can help improve your overall hair and scalp health while eliminating dryness that could cause dandruff. Unrefined Shea butter also helps the hair restore lost moisture due to harsh weather conditions.
- Prevention of Split Ends: The richness of Shea butter in both vitamins A and E prevents the hair from having split ends. Unrefined Shea butter has moisturizing and regenerative effects so it works perfectly for all hair types. It strengthens the hair strands while reducing breakage.
- Hair Softener: When unrefined Shea butter is applied to the hair, it instantly locks in moisture, which in turn makes the hair soft. It softens frizzy and curly hair in an effective manner arguably better than most expensive hair products in the market. The moisture is sealed in the hair as it coats each hair strand in a thin layer of fat. For effectiveness and long lasting results, it should be applied generously to the hair and massaged into the scalp.
- Hair Protection: Applying unrefined Shea butter to your scalp regularly protects your hair from ultraviolet rays. It also reduces the effect of chlorine and salt on your hair while swimming. The best option is to apply Shea butter right before diving into the pool. Also, moisturizing the hair with the butter could protect the hair from any form of exposure.
Benefits of Unrefined Shea Butter for Skin:
For the skin, unrefined Shea butter is useful and beneficial in unimaginable ways. They include (but are not limited to) the following;
- Prevention of Stretch Marks: One of the horrors most women face is stretch marks. Unrefined Shea butter has countless times proven to be an effective choice in the complete elimination of stretch marks. Although, the prevalence of stretch marks depends largely on hereditary, pregnancy and rapid weight gain, constantly moisturizing of the area with Shea butter will smoothen out the skin and boost collagen production which will in turn reduce the overall appearance of stretch marks.
- Treatment of Dark Spots/Rough Skin: A lot of factors contribute to dark spots on the skin. They don’t necessarily pose harm to your health but in the long run, these spots may look unattractive. The collagen boosting properties present in Shea butter serves as a natural antidote to heal wounds fast and reduce the appearance of scars or the formation of scar tissues. Regular application and massage into the affected area will yield more effective results.
- Skin Moisturizer: Unrefined Shea butter is particularly perfect for deep moisturizing. It adds a protective layer to the skin which prevents inflammation. This is particularly a good option when the weather is hot and dry. It keeps the skin soft, hydrated and smooth all year round. It can even be added to bath water as the butter will melt and cover the skin with a protective layer.
- Wrinkle Reduction: During the aging process, wrinkles usually appear on the skin, especially around the cheeks on the face. Aging also comes with a reduction in the overall reduction of collagen production. Applying unrefined Shea butter to the wrinkled part of the skin can reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face. It gives the skin a smoother and healthier look. Do you also know that the daily application of unrefined Shea butter can eliminate eye bags totally? Yes, it can.
- Blemishes/Acne Treatment: Contrary to the belief that the fatty acids contained in Shea butter could cause skin blemishes, the presence of the fatty acids is effective not only for fighting acne and blemishes, but also skin rashes, scars, skin peelings, frost bites, stings, insect bites and lots more. Similarly, unrefined Shea butter can be applied to acne prone skin on a regular basis and it will leave the skin spotless over time. The best part of using this wonder butter for your skin is that the oil leaves absolutely nothing in your pores (non-comeodogenic), so it’s the best possible option in the market.
Unrefined Shea butter is the best possible option for those seeking for natural remedies for their hair and skin. Chances are the more unrefined Shea butter is used, the more uses and benefits it will provide. Our unrefined organic Shea butter is pure and natural. When purchased, it should be stored in an airtight container in a cool environment. It should be kept far away from direct sunlight or intense heat. If stored properly, unrefined Shea butter has a shelf life of two to three years.
