SHEA BUTTER

Scientific name: Butyrospermum parkii

Family: Sapotaceae

Origin: Ghana

Form: expeller cold pressed unrefined

Parts: nuts / seeds

GOOD FOR ALL SKIN TYPES, ESPECIALLY DRY, AND BLEMISHED

Ingredient Features

antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
nutritive
antiseptic
antibacterial
emollient
cell-regenerative
protectant
sun protectant
absorbs quickly
penetrates deeply

User Benefits

protecting
anti-aging
nourishing
cleansing
moisturizing
healing
balancing
improves hyper + hypopigmentation
improves microcirculation
improves suppleness
redness reducing
rejuvenating
smoothing
softening
soothing
fades scars

Great For

before + after suncare
blemished skin
capillaries
chapped + cracked skin
damaged skin
delicate skin
dermatitis
dry + brittle hair
dull + lifeless skin
eczema
mature skin
hyper + hypopigmentation spots
irritation + itching
psoriasis
rough skin
stretch marks
sunburns
wrinkles

Function in Products

emollient
menstrum
preservative
base oil

Nutrients

beta-carotene
cinnamic esters
essential fatty acids
linoleic acid
minerals
oleic acid
phytosterols
stimgasterol
vitamin A
vitamin E

Also called karite butter, shea butter is the natural fat obtained from the fruit of the karite tree in West Africa. Shea butter is a plant lipid similar to cocoa butter and is used as an emollient and moisturizer in cosmetics. It is deeply penetrating, melts at body temperature, and acts as a menstrum (a carrier for other medicinals) that releases quickly, which make it a superior moisturizer to others in its class. Its skin conditioning abilities outweigh even avocado oil (known for skin conditioning) because of the high amount of unsaponifiable fat it contains (up to 65%). It has mild antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties, and contains some of the same moisturizing ingredients as sebum. High in vitamin E, an anti-aging antioxidant that increases micro-circulation, it also contains the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin A. The EFAs contained in shea butter act as skin protectors and rejuvenators. Additionally, shea butter contains 5-10% of phytosterols that stimulate new formation and growth of cells. In Africa, its continent of origin, shea butter is widely used as a moisturizer and softener for hair. Its exceptional healing properties are exhibited by promoting and accelerating wound healing, and it is proctective against severe weather conditions. Shea butter is also naturally equipped with a sunscreen (cinnamic acid) giving it an SPF ranging from 2-6 and blocking up to 30% of UV radiation. Its cinnamic acid ester content also accounts for some of its healing properties. A high linoleic acid content makes it excellent for soothing chapped, burned, or irritated skin. Furthermore, shea butter is safe for babies. See natural moisturizing factors.

SHEA BUTTER IS IN:

Lip Balm

Pangea Organics Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Lip Balm

Pangea Organics Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom Lip Balm

Pangea Organics Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit and Sweet Orange Lip Balm

Lip Liner

Bite Beauty The Lip Pencil

Face Cleanser

Pangea Organics Egyptian Calendula and Blood Orange Facial Cleanser

Facial Scrub

Pangea Organics Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean and Cranberry Facial Scrub

Facial Oil

Pangea Organics Himalayan Geranium and Pomegranate Balancing Oil

Face Cream

Pangea Organics Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Facial Cream

Pangea Organics Nigerian Ginger with Lavender and Thyme Facial Cream

Eye Cream

Pangea Organics Turkish Rose and White Tea Eye Cream

Hand Lotion

Pangea Organics Chilean Rosehip with Tamanu and Red Clover Hand Cream

Body Polish

Pangea Organics Brazilian Brown Sugar with Cocoa Butter Body Polish

Body Lotion

Pangea Organics French Chamomile with Sweet Orange and Lavender Body Lotion

Pangea Organics Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary Body Lotion

Pangea Organics Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom Body Lotion