Shea Butter can come in as many as 60 different scents, but the natural form, which actually has a slight smoky scent and is considered unscented Sheabutter, is the product which allergy sufferers use religiously to moisturize their skin. People who are allergic to nuts or latex should stay away from Shea Butter; even the unscented Sheabutter could be disastrous to these sufferers.

Shea Butter Soaps

Unscented Sheabutter soaps have made their manufacturers millionaires. Shea Butter lather becomes very luxurious due to its superfatting properties within the Shea Butter. This Shea Butter soap needs to be applied directly to the skin for full absorbance results. A noticeable difference in softness will appear and will last for up to 24 hours.

Unscented Sheabutter soaps, which are 100% natural, are the perfect and most gentle way to heal painful baby eczemas and diaper rashes.

The dry skin within the folds of a newborn’s skin can be eliminated by using unscented Sheabutter soap. In many of the unscented Sheabutter soaps, coca butter has been added; therefore, the only scent you may smell is the faint natural odor of cocoa butter.

No fragrance is ever added to unscented Sheabutter soap and Shea Butter body wash, so the only odor will be either of cocoa butter,
or a faint smoky odor of the Shea nut itself. Shaving soap is another unscented Sheabutter soap which is wonderful for men who have allergies or just hate any fragrance in their shaving lotions. This soap not only gives you a smoother shave but will soften and moisturize your skin as well.

Shea Butter Face

Your man will never know that he is getting a facial while shaving off his stubble. And don’t worry about those ugly red bumps after shaving; the unscented Shea Butter shaving soap will eliminate those as well. It is now determined that one of the best moisturizing and healing properties for our skin can now be used by all of us.

Whether you are allergic or sensitive to chemicals or fragrance, unscented Shea Butter can be used to soften or heal anyone in need.

You can tell if what you have is pure Shea Butter by its aroma and color. The color of pure Shea Butter and its aroma can sometimes be unappealing to individual consumers, which prompted a refining process to strip it of the original color and odor.

There are two forms of Shea Butter: refined and unrefined Shea Butter. The refined Shea Butter loses its aroma and color of pure Shea Butter as it goes through the manufacturing process, which includes adding a chemical called hexane. This is a petroleum-based chemical, which is thought to be harmful to people, the environment and other living things. Most consumers prefer unrefined Shea Butter.

Their Distinctive Characteristics

The color of pure Shea Butter may be a slightly greenish or cream colored. It varies from these two colors but is seldom far from either one. It looks very rich and fatty but does not feel greasy after a few minutes of rubbing onto the skin.

The Shea Butter color can be an indication of how it was produced. The unrefined color of pure Shea Butter is the greenish or ivory color that comes naturally to the cream. Since it is unrefined and not processed with any harmful chemical, it retains the color of pure Shea Butter.

The earthy aroma of pure Shea Butter may smell peculiar at first, but the scent eventually grows on you. Refined Shea Butter not only removes the aroma of the cream, but also makes it blend better with other, often questionable, ingredients. This gives the Shea Butter products more of a variety and can appeal to all kinds of noses. However, the quality of refined Shea Butter suffers.

Uses For Pure Shea Butter

Pure Shea Butter is commonly used as either an ingredient for cosmetics or as a moisturizer itself. Due to the high demand for it, some cosmetics manufacturers use a small amount of it in some of their products and yet label it a Shea Butter product. In cases like these, you are not really getting your money’s worth since it is not purely Shea Butter.

You might like to read the ingredients and the percentage of what it contains before you buy the product.

And, the best part is that the oils produced are known to have full moisturizing as well as healing properties that are not lost or diluted by chemically treating them.

The Hexane Extraction

Still, hexane extraction is commonly used for sheabutter extraction and it is widely used in the more industrialized nations in the world and it is now even finding use in the somewhat under developed countries in the world as well. The advantage of the chemical extraction using hexane as solvent for sheabutter extraction is that hexane does not cost much and is found in abundance since it is an offshoot of gasoline production.

Because shea trees are widely found in Africa and because it has become an important economic crop in that part of the world, the sheabutter extraction is a way of providing good employment opportunities to the local population and that is why traditional Shea Butter extraction are preferred in these parts of the world.

The Traditional Extraction

Rural women and children are engaged in Shea Butter extraction and because the traditional methods are being used, there is little organization that goes into sheabutter extraction. Furthermore, the business is opportunistic due to the fact that no one has ownership rights over the trees and even gathering is a free for all activity.

Thus, the traditional method of using Shea Butter nuts goes through several stages including and beginning with gathering, followed by village processing, after which there is improvements made to the village processing.

Next, the shea fruits require to be treated followed by depulping in which fleshy mesocarp is removed and then the nuts are dried and finally de-husked.

The traditional sheabutter extraction starts with the grinding of baked kernel into powdery material after which it is mixed with lukewarm water and the mixture so derived need to be stirred without stopping and can even is kneaded into paste which is allowed to stand with the oil floating on top and the mixture is periodically decanted to leave behind a solid residue that is brown in color and which does not have any oil in it.

This is how the traditional sheabutter extraction process takes place which requires steps such as drying and smoking the kernels, pounding and grinding, mixing with water and treating, kneading as well as churning followed by floating washing and also filtering.

Give Me an "A"

Shea Butter, in its purest form, without any additives or chemicals, earns a Shea Butter grade of A because of its healing properties. Shea Butter processing and Shea Butter extraction methods are factors affecting quality of Shea Butter.

Shea Butter contains vitamin A and E as well as cinnamic acid, which have some mild protective properties against the sun’s UV rays. Some of the conditions that Shea Butter helps through its restorative properties are dry skin, sunburn, eczema, insect bites, blemishes, poison ivy or oak, flaky skin and more.

It is important to note that in order for Shea Butter to keep the sheabutter grade A rank, it must not be refined nor processed. Only unrefined Shea Butter with nothing added retains its healing properties; unlike the refined Shea Butter which can only tout moisturizing properties.

The American Shea Butter Institute

In addition, a sheabutter grade of A is awarded by the American Shea Butter Institute, which performs tests on the Shea Butter to evaluate its properties.

Some of the things they test include the presence of bacteria and mold as well as some metals like copper, iron, mercury and lead. Having the right balance of various vitamins and minerals to ensure that its healing properties are untouched is the reason for the Shea Butter grade of A.

Refined Shea Butter with no additives is still a fine product but don’t expect to see much improvement for your skin other than moisture. Refined Shea Butter as well as Shea Butter with added essential oils or other ingredients are only good for its moisturizing properties and can be used for adding to cosmetic products.

Options B, C, and F

A sheabutter grade of B, C or F means that while they could be useful for its moisturizing properties, they will not have the healing properties that the unrefined grade A has. However, that is not to say that these lower sheabutter grades are not beneficial in other ways. They are perfect for adding moisturizing properties to other cosmetics such as liquid foundation and face and body lotion.

When purchasing your Shea Butter, look on the label for the seal by the American Shea Butter Institute with its sheabutter grade. This is the only way you will know about whether your product is sheabutter grade A quality with healing properties or another grade that just serves a moisturizing purpose.

In fact, pure organic sheabutter requires performing a few things in order to keep it fresh at all times including making sure that the product itself is fresh when you buy it.

Expect A Smell

If you buy organic sheabutter that is unrefined, you can expect it to have a smell to it for which you may be quite unprepared for, though once you get over your initial qualms you should realize that this smell is part of the natural Shea Butter because it has not been refined.

If you find that there is no smell, you can be sure that it has been refined with chemicals and heating so as to remove its entire odor which will only result in removing all or most of its powers to heal as well.

Next, you should look at the color of organic sheabutter which in its pure, raw, virgin, unrefined form looks yellow or even gold and there may also be present some tinges of green while its smell will be similar to that of nuts.

The smell emanates from the Shea nut along with the process of roasting that it has been through though it should not smell bad which would indicate that your organic sheabutter product has become old and rancid.

You must also keep the pure organic sheabutter at about room temperature and keeping it in very warm temperature is not recommended which will only help turn it rancid.

Instead of solid Shea Butter, you can use Shea Butter Olein or Shea Butter Oil

Amazing Therapeutic Properties

Now-a-days, use of organic sheabutter has become very popular and this popularity can be attributed to its many natural benefits and it may also be an offshoot from the age old practice of making your own natural skin care products.

If you can use oatmeal as facial care means or cucumber for making the skin refreshed then it only follows that using organic sheabutter is a logical next step in that direction.

Using organic Shea Butter helps in maintaining the natural beauty of the skin and also makes you lead a healthy life because you should feel much more fulfilled when you don’t rely totally on synthetic products or methods including those known as chemical peels.

And, the best part about using unrefined organic Shea Butter is that it has therapeutic effect and it helps in calming the user as well as her skin.

Shea Butter is likely one of the most widely wondered about and beneficial ingredients in many cosmetic and spa products. Shea Butter is harvested from the nuts of a shea or karite tree that is only grown in Africa. The fresh, unrefined version is most beneficial to you but there are still some great qualities when products such as Shea Butter body wash are produced.

Medicinal Qualities

The Shea Butter has quite a few medicinal qualities that make it a superior skin treatment for a number of conditions like allergies, eczema, sunburn, wrinkles, dry skin, shaving skin bumps and even acne. Chock full of vitamin A, it is a natural skin conditioner plus the fatty acids in it provide beneficial healing properties. It is all of these things and more that make sheabutter body wash a prime choice for your beauty care needs in the shower or bathtub.

Another great benefit for Shea Butter is that is has a handy component called cinnamic acid which serves as a natural UV barrier against the sun. While it is no means a substitute for sunblock, the Shea Butter is helpful in keeping the skin supple and is just an overall boost of extra protection. Therefore, when you shower with a sheabutter body wash, your entire body, even the parts that the sun never sees are a layer of protection from the UV rays as well as wrinkles, allergies, rashes and more.

Effectiveness With Other Ingredients

Researchers say that Shea Butter in its rawest form is best because you will get the most beneficial properties from it. This is true; but the natural nutty smell of Shea Butter does not do much to attract people. However, when mixed in with nice smelling essential oil like lavender then it becomes an effective and desirable Shea Butter body wash.

If you are unsure about whether the sheabutter body wash that you have chosen in the store will be beneficial to you, check the ingredients list. For the best beauty product, the first ingredient should always be Shea Butter. Also check to make sure that there are no alcohol based ingredients further down the list. In fact, there is a general rule of thumb for anyone who purchased Shea Butter body wash or any other product from wholesale Shea Butter source:

If you cannot pronounce an ingredient, chances are that it is a synthetic addition which could change the effectiveness of the Shea Butter.

The Bare Necessities

The treatment of Eczema Using Shea Butter is a necessary step in order to get relief. Eczema causes a painful itching that is almost impossible to ignore, and can cause many future problems for those who suffer from it. These problems are physical, mental, and emotional.

Itchy eczema is not just a temporary condition. If it is not treated, it will continue to be a bother and will even leave lasting scars. Additionally, many people with eczema become self-conscious and miss out on many important life experiences. It is vital that you treat your eczema with Shea Butter before the damage becomes permanent.

Paying For Prescription

The typical creams that are used to treat skin eczema are known as anti-inflammatory creams. While some of them are available over-the-counter, most of them can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. The downside of prescription creams is that they can be very expensive.

Moisturizers can be a great alternative to anti-inflammatory creams. Moisturizers are used to rejuvenate the skin, keeping it soft and smooth. The most effective moisturizers are those that contain Shea Butter in the list of ingredients. Using moisturizers with Shea Butter to treat eczema will not only be effective, but it will save you money as well.

Why Is Shea Butter Effective?

Treating eczema with Shea Butter is extremely effective, thanks to the long list of vitamins and minerals contained in the oil. Shea Butter contains: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Cinnamic Acid, Triterpenes, Phenolic acid, and Phytosterols. These elements help to give Shea Butter its soothing, healing quality.

Play It Safe

Like its West African counterpart, East African Shea Butter is a very soothing ingredient, and it rarely causes irritation when applied to the skin. However, because most lotions and moisturizers contain other active ingredients, it is important to consult with your doctor before applying any lotion to your inflamed skin. Your doctor might even recommend a brand or company from which you can purchase Shea Butter moisturizer.

Don’t Suffer Forever!

It is easy to give up hope and think that you will have to tolerate eczema for the rest of your life. Giving organic Shea Butter a try will show you just how wrong you were!

Shea Butter cream for striae on the skin is a common product available in the market. To be sure of the quality of your Shea Butter cream, it is best to get one that is not more than a year old.

What’s So Great About Shea Butter?

Shea Butter promotes elasticity in our skin due to the abundance in Vitamin A in it. Other ingredients are sometimes added to pure Shea Butter to help promote supple and elastic skin but research has found that Shea Butter alone can do wonders for skin elasticity. Many beauty and skin experts recommend using a Shea Butter cream at least three times a day to help fade the appearance of striae on the skin.

Shea Butter lotions and Shea Butter creams work to help stretch mark prevention or make vergetures appear less. Stretch marks usually appear when there is a rapid increase in weight. This is common during pregnancy. Some pregnant women apply Shea Butter stretch marks cream even before their belly starts to get bigger. This makes the skin more elastic and supple. It also helps the skin be more accommodating to stretching and increase in weight and bulk.

Other Uses For Shea Butter

Other than preventing stretch marks, Shea Butter also has other uses, which include skin disorders and superficial scars or wounds. Another not so known use of Shea Butter is for the hair. It basically functions the same way for the hair as it does for our skin. Although, the formulation of Shea Butter stretch marks cream may be slightly different from Shea Butter hair repair cream, the function is the same.

Application of Shea Butter on the hair can reduce brittleness, and revitalize the scalp and hair without clogging up any pores.

Shea Butter is a very sought after product that is very important to the African nations that grow shea nut trees. It is also used as cooking oil and, in Europe, as a substitute for cocoa butter in making gourmet chocolates.

So, Shea Butter is good for the outside and the inside of your skin.

When it comes to choosing products that are "natural", one of the most popular ingredients that we see on different kinds of beauty and personal care products are the ones made from Shea Butter.

With so many brands to choose from, we can become confused as to which product would surely give us the benefits that we need.

And if you would like to know more about the different recipes and uses for Shea Butter , here are some of the most interesting ways in which you could use it for you to make the most out of the healing benefits of pure Shea Butter.

And for sure, you will be surprised how good or "miraculous" it could be when it comes to taking care of your skin.

Skin Doctor And Other Shea Butter Uses

If we go to groceries and other drugstores, what may immediately catch our eyes when we are in search of personal care products are the lotions, creams, and even hair care products that were infused with African Shea Butter. Also, other uses of Shea Butter could also be seen in medicated creams to help heal eczema and other skin rashes that may induce itchiness.

Other beauty and cosmetic companies also have found that there are also other Shea Butter uses especially during pregnancy because it was said that Shea Butter could be infused with specially formulated creams and emollients to help stretch marks prevention. This could be a very important selling point especially for would-be mothers who are looking for a safe way to prevent the appearance of pregnancy.

Also, another great use of pure Shea Butter is to help relieve muscles and joints that were aching and some spas are incorporating it to their massage practice. You could be sure that your muscle fatigue would be eased when you apply Shea Butter on the affected area and have a great massage treatment with the help of Shea Butter.

In other countries, since the Shea Butter is considered to be a fat, Africans have found that the uses of Shea Butter could help them with their cooking. People in Africa are using Shea Butter as cooking oil and some may use it as part of their spiritual and religious rituals.