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Information on Shea Cocoa Butter

The properties of certain tree nuts, especially those that are native to equatorial regions, have been found to be beneficial as emollients and moisturizers. These beneficial aspects have been applied to the treatment of certain skin conditions, including general dryness, acne and dermatitis. The application of aspects of the Shea tree nut, such as Shea butter, in skin conditioning has become an increasingly popular approach to treating various detrimental conditions that affect the skin.

  1. Where the Shea Nut Trees Grow

    • The Shea nut tree, traditionally known as the Karite tree, is found in western regions of Africa. This tree nut has traditionally been used in these areas of Africa to treat skin conditions. It has also been used for many centuries in cooking by the people of these regions. Shea butter in skin applications creates a natural barrier to protect the skin from environmental elements such as wind, heat and sun, which are prevalent in these areas of Africa.

    How Shea Butter Is Produced

    • The making of Shea butter is a four-step process. The first step is the roasting of the Shea nut. The nuts must be cooked until dehydration occurs. The next step involves crushing the dehydrated Shea nuts into a near-powder form, traditionally done by hand using a mortar-and-pestle method. The crushed nuts are then boiled until the oil in the nuts separates and rises to the surface of the boiling water. This residue is allowed to dry and is then collected into batches, which is now Shea butter.

    Uses

    • The most common use of Shea butter is for skin conditioning. The abundance of fatty acids in the Shea nut oil lends itself to moisturizing skin. Shea butter also promotes hydration of the skin. Shea butter is often used as a daily skin moisturizer and conditioner, especially on prominent areas of the face that tend to become dryer due to increased exposure to the elements, such as the nose, the forehead, the ears and around the mouth.

    Hair and Scalp

    • The moisturizing and hydrating qualities of Shea butter are also applied to hair care and scalp conditioning. The oil in Shea butter acts as a barrier to protect hair shafts from environmental elements. It also contains vitamins A, E and F, which are beneficial in protecting and moisturizing hair. The scalp can also become dry from exposure to the elements. Shea butter has been used for many years as a daily hair treatment to protect hair and scalp and to provide oil and hydration that keep both hair shafts and the skin of the scalp in healthy condition.

    General Skin Treatment

    • The beneficial aspects can be applied to other conditions. Shea butter can help to treat sunburn, eczema, frostbite and insect bites, and to heal scar tissue and stretch marks after pregnancy or weight loss. Skin that has dried out or become irritated after shaving or swimming can also be helped by the use of Shea butter.

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