Shea butter, also known as karité, is a fatty substance obtained from the nuts and seeds of the small tropical African shea tree. Shea butter is used chiefly in cosmetic skin preparations. An unparalleled moisturizer, natural shea butter is an all natural source of vitamin A excellent for treating all kinds of skin conditions and wounds. For these reasons and many more, PHYTO5 formulates high quality shea butter into at least eight products (Cleansing Milk, biostimulant Face Cream, lightly tinted Face Cream, Eye Cream, Zen Body Exfoliation, Perfection Cream, PHYTO Peel, and Nourishing Cream.)
Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural bxeauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique holistic beauty tips and offers.
The fat content of the oily nuts and seeds of the shea tree is roughly 50%. Cream is extracted from the nuts and prepared for consumption without the use of chemicals and the best quality shea butter is prepared by cold press methods.
For centuries, shea butter has played an important role in the everyday life for many African tribes and has always played a foundational role in African pharmacology. Because of the large array of healing and restorative benefits shea butter offers the tree is known as the Tree of Life in Africa.
According to sheainstitute.com daily use of shea butter for one month is guaranteed to change and improve the quality and appearance of your skin.
Shea butter mimics the effects the naturally produced moisturizers that the sebaceous glands in the skin itself produces.
Incredibly healing, shea also acts as an antioxidant, increases the skin’s blood microcirculation and helps reactivate collagen synthesis.
The lipid content of unrefined shea butter offers anti-inflammatory support for skin cells and promotes tissue regeneration. It supplies damaged skin with critical nourishing lipids.
Shea butter has been proven to remarkably improve within a few weeks:
a dull or grayish epidermis aspect: dull skin is replaced by smoother, brighter clearer skin (See Ageless La Cure by PHYTO5 Perfection Cream)
thinning of the skin: skin texture develops to a richer, more lustrous feel (See PHYTO5’s biostimulant Face Cream with vitamin E)
wrinkles caused by prolonged sun exposure: a visible diminishment of wrinkles occurs (See PHYTO5’s lightly tinted Face Cream, formerly called Yang OE Extreme Cream)
In addition to vitamin A, shea butter is extremely high in vitamins E and F offering the skin better balance, elasticity and tone.
Cosmetic chemists all over the world continue to be very intrigued by shea butter. In one study, French dermatologists used shea butter on 35 men and women of various ages and races with all sorts of skin disorders and conditions over periods of ten days to five months.
In all cases, substantial healing was reported and in some cases the healing was considered to be almost miraculous. These clinical trials are documented by the French Ministry of Health.
It is also important to note that if purchasing shea butter as a single ingredient or in skincare that you know who you are buying from. Shea butter in local stores tends to be of low quality and may contain harmful agents. Low quality produced shea butter could contain lead, mercury, mold, yeast, rancidity, and bacteria.
Shea butter should be tested for purity before it’s packaged and marketed. Be sure to buy from a reputable source with exacting manufacturing standards such as the PHYTO5 skincare products hotlinked in paragraph one above.
If your product has not undergone proper lab tests, you are taking a chance with your purchase. The incidence of low quality shea butter being sold in stores is so high, shea butter is often called “lotto butter” because you can’t be sure of what you’re getting. You definitely want to purchase certified premium grade A shea butter which has passed rigorous safety and quality testing.
Truly high grade and integrity shea butter needs no added fragrance because it is not rancid. Fragrance tends to be added to shea butter to mask the smell of rancidity.
sheainstitute.com lists the following 21 treatment purposes of shea butter:
dry skin
skin rash
skin peeling after tanning
blemishes
wrinkles
itching skin
sunburn
during shaving
skin wound healing
cracking of the skin
tough or rough skin especially on feet
protection against cold weather
frostbite
stretch mark prevention
insect bites
muscle aches, fatigue and tension
skin allergies
skin poisoning from poison ivy or oak
eczema
dermatitis
burns
#####
Goreja, W. G. Shea Butter: The Nourishing Properties of Africa's Best-Kept Natural Beauty Secret. New York: Amazing Herbs, 2004. Print.
"Benefits of Shea Oil to Mankind." Soliditytrade.com. N.p., 3 Dec. 2010. Web. <http://soliditytrade.com/blog/2010/12/03/benefits-of-shea-oil-to-mankind/>.