Shea Butter is rich, in firstly many essential fatty acids including Oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acid, also known as vitamin F. It contains naturally occurring vitamins A, E, F and K. But why does this matter, why should we be clamouring to get these ingredients into our skin?
Before I go on I would suggest this is a butter for your body rather than for your face, at least during the day as due to the essential fatty acids and oils within shea butter, your make up could end up sliding right off of your face.
Benefit 1
Shea Butter is full of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) which are highly moisturising. Oleic acid in particular is potent in antioxidants fighting off skin damaging free radicals, ensuring your skin stays as youthful as can be for as long as possible.
Oleic Acid is also anti-inflammatory so wonderfully calming on the skin and is great for skin conditions such as Rosacea, psoriasis and eczema.
Benefit 2
Shea Butter is Rich in Vitamin E
Benefit 3
Vitamin F is also present in Shea Butter
This underestimated Vitamin, heals, hydrates and plumps your skin. Vitamin F is fantastic for acne sufferers as it helps regulate oil production along with its healing properties.
Benefit 4
Vitamin A
So shea butter is also rich in Vitamin A. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and is said to be the wonder skin product that really does reduce wrinkles. It is said to renew and regenerate skin cells, increase collagen production, be rich in antioxidants and have exfoliating properties too. Everything your skin could ever want. However (and I'm not saying you shouldn't use it) but there are risks with Retinol. It can irritate your skin and leave it red and peeling. One must start slowly and build up gradually. Having said that how good is it for you if your skin can react in this way. My main reason for not being too keen on using it, is that it is advised against using Retinol when you are pregnant and I feel if it is not good for you when you are pregnant why is it OK to use it when you are not.
So that is why I am loving that shea butter is naturally rich in Vitamin A so you can reap the benefits of Retinol without using a Retinol based product.
When Vitamin A naturally occurs in shea butter it is balanced with other naturally occurring vitamins and fattacids so it doesn't become irritating to the skin like the synthetic forms of Vitamin A known as Retinol. Some forms of retinol are said to be toxic, so opting for a product that includes the natural form of vitamin A seems to be the way forward.
So the Vitamin A in shea butter will do the following for your skin:
Increase the turnover of skin cells which encourages new skin cells to be produced and results in more even toned and smoother skin
Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
Helps even skin tone
Benefit 5
Vitamin K
This wonderous vitamin increases circulation and reduces fluid retention, minimises bruising, and strengthens capillaries, so this would be a wonderful product to use under the eyes, (best to use at night). The fact that it increases circulation means it will act as an anti inflammatory and calm redness. This fantastic vitamin also strengthens your skin too.
So I don't know whether you need any more convincing to be a converted Shea Butter user. I cannot wait to try the 100% Natural Shea Butter by The Body Shop that is being launched this month by The Body Shop just knowing what it will be doing for my skin in the most natural way!
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