Pure Shea Butter is a versatile raw ingredient. You can apply it on your skin directly or you can use it as one of the raw ingredient in your skincare product creations. Here is a list of how what you can use Shea Butter for.

Practical Uses Of Shea Butter

Moisturises And Keeping Your Skin Soft And Supple

Shea Butter is a superior moisturiser for your whole body and it can protect your skin from harsh climate whether cold or dry. A little Shea Butter goes a long way. It is long-lasting and you do not have to re-apply several times a day. Take a small amount of Shea Butter, warm it up in between your palms and massage it onto your skin. Regular use of Shea Butter will keep your skin soft and supple.

Heals Your Dry Skin

Shea Butter softens, moisturises and restores elasticity of the skin. For people with chronic dry skin, Shea Butter moisturises your skin well and will relief any itch that is due to dryness.

Reduce Wrinkles, Fine Lines, Stretch Marks and Scars

Shea Butter penetrates the skin and stimulates collagen production and helps in the skin renewal. Daily use of Shea Butter can help to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and stretch marks.

Heals Cracked Heels And Dry Cuticles

Apply Shea Butter generously onto the cracked area of your heels before you sleep for 3 to 4 nights consecutively. You will notice the big improvement in your cracked heels. For best results, put on your socks after you have applied Shea Butter on your heels.

Heals Dry And Chapped Lips

Shea Butter can be used to substitute lip balms. It protects your lips from drying out and it also gives your lips a nice sheen similar to lip gloss.

Use As A Massage Butter For Your Body

Shea Butter provides a great slip and it is not messy and does not drip. Plus it is a superior moisturiser with great healing benefits for the body. You can mix in your preferred essential oil for enhanced therapeutic benefits.

Soothes Muscle Aches And Reduces Swelling

If you have muscle ache or soreness after strenuous exercise, apply Shea Butter generously over the aching area. The anti-inflammatory properties will work on it effectively and you will notice the relief the following day.

For good joint and muscle health, it is recommended that you apply Shea Butter before and after your exercise to help reduce muscle fatigue and tension.

In a clinical test, it is shown that Shea Butter exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties. See Report: Anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects of triterpene cinnamates and acetates from shea fat

Soothes Sunburn

Peeling skin from sunburn can be unbearable and painful. Apply Shea Butter over the affected skin to relief the pain and for quicker healing.

Prevent Skin Irritation

Apply Shea Butter onto your skin after waxing or shaving to prevent skin irritation

Styling your Hair

If you have frizzy hair or just want to soothe out some loose hair, instead of using commercial hair pomade products, try out Shea Butter. Put a small amount of Shea Butter (a little goes a long way), rub in between your hands, and apply it to your hair.

Conditions Your Hair

Shea Butter moisturises the hair reducing breakage and soften hair cuticles. It is also beneficial for split ends and reducing frizz. Warm Shea Butter in between your palms and massage it into your hair and scalp. Wrap your hair in a warm towel and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Shampoo as usual.

Safe Diaper Rash Cream

Applying on baby’s bottom will keep the wetness off their skin and prevent diaper rash. If they have existing diaper rash, apply Shea Butter to sooth and heal the rash. You can also use Shea Butter to moisturise your baby’s delicate skin. To apply, scoop a small amount of Shea Butter onto your hand. Allow Shea Butter to melt slightly in between your palms and then apply onto baby’s skin. Get only organic, unrefined  and unscented Shea Butter for your baby.

Decongest Your Nose

For blocked nose or nasal congestion, rub Shea Butter into the interior of the nose and around the nose and especially the bridge of the nose. Apply onto chest as well. It will decongest your nasal.

In a clinical test, it is shown that Shea Butter proved to be more effective in clearing the airway than conventional nasal drops.

See Report: Preliminary studies on nasal decongestant activity from the seed of the shea butter tree, Butyrospermum parkii.

Does All Shea Butter Work As Effectively?

Not all Shea Butter are created equal. Some are really just cream formulated with Shea Butter and a whole list of other ingredients. Some are refined and deodorised Shea Butter with its healing properties being reduced due to the refining process. And there are unrefined Shea Butter which is a better choice.

It is best to get organic and unrefined Shea Butter for they have their moisturising, anti-inflammatory and healing properties retained.

For more tips, check out my guide on choosing your Shea Butter.