The shea butter is native to central Africa, where it is also called "Tree of Youth".
The fruits are fleshy, with a thin skin and pleasant-tasting flesh, inside which a seed (but sometimes even two or more) is enclosed, protected by a hard, smooth shell of a shiny brown color.
The seed is very reminiscent of our chestnuts, and inside it is the prized butter, mixed with latex.
His extraction takes place through a long process handed down from generation to generation by local women. For centuries in African traction it has been used as a food, a medicine and a cosmetic for the skin, but also as an ingredient in religious rituals; in Europe its appearance occurred relatively late, at the end of the eighteenth century, following the exploration of the Niger by the Scottish Mungo Park (from which the botanical name derives).
This precious skin-friendly substance is rich in vitamins A, B, E and F, and has a very high content of unsaponifiable fractions, essential and fundamental elements for maintaining the natural elasticity of the skin.
Shea butter has healing, emollient, anti-stretch mark, anti-wrinkle, elasticizing, moisturizing, antioxidant, soothing, re-epithelializing, anti-comedogen and UV protection properties .
Especially in winter, Shea Butter is an essential cure-all against cracking and all "cold" skin whims. Let's look at some of the cosmetic preparations that can counteract the harmful effects that winter cold has on our skin.
Lip balm
Slowly dissolve 2 shea teaspoons in a double boiler together with 1 teaspoon of pure beeswax .
Wait for it to melt completely, then turn off the heat and add 3 teaspoons of sweet almond oil and 2 or 3 drops of essential mint oil .
Mix with a wooden spoon, and pour the mixture into an airtight glass jar. Wait for the product to cool and solidify before using it.
Nourishing and soothing face mask
Peel 1 banana and blend it with 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of rose water, 2 drops of essential ylang ylang oil and 2 teaspoons of shea butter previously dissolved in a bain-marie.
Remove with warm water and light circular movements.
The same recipe can be used as a restoring mask to apply to clean and still wet hair . In this case, leave on for about 30 minutes before rinsing, if necessary using a knob of shampoo.
Pack for dry and chapped hands
Combine 2 teaspoons of shea butter, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil, 1/2 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil and 2 drops of lavender essential oil .
Mix the ingredients together with a wooden spoon, and mix until obtaining a thick and uniform cream . Apply in a thick layer on perfectly clean hands, wearing a pair of light cotton gloves and leave on for at least 30 minutes.
Finally rinse with warm water and, if necessary, a little vegetable soap.
Read also the natural remedies for winter skin >>
