The Benefits and Uses of Shea Butter Soap

For centuries, shea butter soap has been used to naturally moisturise and replenish skin. Made from the karite tree nut in Western Africa, shea butter is rich in vitamins and fatty acids. As a little girl growing up in Umuahia  which is in Eastern part of Nigeria, I cannot remember a time where there was no shea butter in our home. My mum made sure that even if we run out of garri (a staple food in Nigeria), we always have shea butter at home. This is actually very common across the African Continent because, since ancient times, African women have harvested the tree’s nuts, crushing them down, boiling the contents, and then extracting the butter.

The fatty and rich butter obtained from the nut quickly absorbs into the body, naturally enriching the hair and skin, all without the requirement of chemicals or artificial additives. If you’re interested in finding out more about shea butter soap, here are four natural benefits.

It’s Gentle

Shea butter is a great moisturizer for all skin types, young to old. Even for babies with sensitive skin or people with conditions such as eczema, the natural extract is perfect. You can also apply it to dry skin or diaper rash. Highly versatile, shea butter is found in various forms of beauty and health products. Shea’s vitamins and fatty acids deal nicely with a lot of common issues, from healing wounds to reducing wrinkles.

Ultra-Moisturizing

Known as one of the world’s greatest natural moisturisers, shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E. The plant-derived shea butter contains essential fatty acids and vitamin F, which helps skin heal from skin conditions such as eczema. Its acids are easily absorbed because they are similar to the body’s own oil. In this way, shea butter helps reverse dry and dehydrated complexions.

Natural Sun Blocker

One of shea butter’s first uses by African nations was to protect against the sun. Containing vitamins A and E, it helps the body protect from all sorts of environmental damage. With an SPF of 6 and containing cinnamic acid, shea butter protects against UV radiation while retaining moisture, which prevents the skin from drying out. It is also very useful for application as a post-sun treatment, with antioxidants and inflammatory properties, shea butter helps accelerate skin recovery and reduces skin swelling.

Age Defying: 

The compounds in shea butter’s plant-derived cream is, in fact, anti-aging. The plant’s fatty acids stimulate the production of collagen, creating a plumped up, youthful complexion. It also works to reduce wrinkles.

Take a look at our range of shea butter natural soap at this link