Why are soaps enriched with Shea butter?

It's time to talk about the most popular skincare ingredient today, Shea Butter. 'Made with Shea butter', 'enriched with Shea butter', 'contains Shea butter' are some of the features you tend to find on skincare products, especially soaps. But how does it help us? What makes it so nourishing? Let's find out.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea Butter has its origin in Shea (Karite) tree and is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F and also ensures UV protection (SPF 6). It provides the skin with essential fatty acids and nutrients necessary for collagen production.

It also has a history of being used for medicinal purposes in Asia & Africa.

(Picture: Shea butter, obtained from Shea nut)

Shea butter is off-white or ivory coloured, thick and solid in temperature. It easily penetrates into the skin, given that it contains a whopping 60% of fat, hence is highly emollient. Most of the Shea butter in the world comes from Shea trees in Africa.

 

(Pictures: Shea trees in Africa)

What are its benefits?

Moisturiser:

One of the most known and greatest benefits of using soaps with Shea butter is that it is a natural moisturizer. The moisturizing properties come from natural vitamins and fatty acids present in it. The nut oils thoroughly soak into your skin, creating a smooth barrier that seals in moisture. Shea butter also plays a role in protecting the natural oils of the skin and remedies dry skin. The moisturizing effect of Shea butter is so prominent that it can last for several hours, unlike other moisturizers that last for less than an hour or two.

Anti Inflammatory:

It was found that Shea butter has a component called Lupeol Cinnamate, that reduces burning and also avoids skin mutation. Vitamin K helps cure acne, redness, swelling and other skin problems. Vitamin E in shea butter assists in protecting your skin from harmful UV rays of the sun.

Anti aging:

Shea butter also contains oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids.They help your skin have a healthy turnover of new cells, and maintain the structure and tightness of your skin.If your skin is nourished with Shea butter regularly, it can smoothen your skin and reduce wrinkles.

Shea butter is also found in many baby soaps since allergic reactions of it are very rare.

These 3-fold benefits of Shea butter are the reason they're added in most skin products. Their use is high in natural handmade soaps, in larger quantities than other commercial products. Hence the effect of the butter is mostly seen when you use handmade skincare.

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