Shea Butter For Skin

Shea butter is naturally rich in both Vitamin A and E, lipids, essential fatty acids and other nutrients necessary for the skin's own production of collagen. It is no wonder that shea butter has been used for so long to improve the condition of skin.

Shea butter benefits for skin include:

1. Anti-inflammatory properties - shea butter has the proven ability to fight inflammation by causing cytokine production to slow down. Cytokines are molecules that are secreted by immune cells that promote inflammation on the skin. Shea butter for face and body can reduce this inflammation meaning it is great at treating acne and other skin irritation.
2. Antioxidant - due to containing high levels of both Vitamins A and E, shea butter promotes antioxidant activity that can help fight signs of ageing and defend skin from damage caused by free radicals. When using shea butter for your face it can keep your skin looking young and radiant.
3. Moisturising - shea butter has the ability to protect the skin's natural oils so skin remains hydrated. As well as this, the natural vitamins and fatty acids shea butter contains makes it intensely nourishing and moisturising for skin.
4. Smoothes the skin and can improve elasticity - shea butter for skin supports the skin's own natural production of collagen. By supporting the production of collagen shea butter therefore helps to boost skin cell turnover, elasticity, skin firming and strengthening. In addition to this shea butter contains palmitic, oleic, stearic and linolenic acids that have nourishing properties for skin and also help it to retain moisture.
5. Healing abilities - as shea butter benefits include being able to boost skin cell turnover, it therefore means it is great as an aid to skin regeneration and repair of damaged cells. The fatty acids contained in shea butter contain further protective properties that can defend wounds from environmental stressors that can disrupt the healing process.
6. It can be used on all skin types - shea butter is natural and does not contain any irritating chemicals that can cause skin to dry out and is very low in proteins that can trigger allergies.

We've mentioned a few of the shea butter benefits, but where do these come from? Well, shea butter contains a number of different vitamins, fatty acids and lipids that give it all of its benefits for our skin.

Shea butter is a source of:

• Linoleic acid - helps to strengthen the skin's barrier so it can retain moisture better whilst simultaneously keeping out irritants, our body cannot produce linoleic acid so we must get it either topically or through diet
• Stearic acid - an amino acid which helps oil and water combine in order to help remove dirt and excess sebum from the skin and hair
• Palmitic acid - a fatty acid generally used as an emollient or moisturiser, it has the ability to soften skin and boost skin water retention
• Oleic acid - this acid is fantastic for ageing or dry skin due to its ability to deeply penetrate skin and replenish lost moisture whilst preventing further moisture loss. Oleic acid can restore skin's natural oils, without clogging pores that can lead to breakouts.
• Cetyl esters - this is the waxy part of shea butter which locks in skin moisture and conditions the skin.
• Triglycerides - an excellent skin replenishing and emollient ingredient. It is fantastic at both providing moisture to the skin and preventing the further loss of moisture.
• Vitamin A - shea butter contains vitamin A which gives it the benefits of being able to: even skin complexion, fight infection, boost skin cell turnover, protect against UV damage and both slows signs of ageing and reducing existing signs of ageing skin including wrinkles.
• Vitamin E - vitamin E is powerful antioxidant, that when applied topically is fantastic at combating the signs of ageing and reducing the damage caused to your skin by UV light and free radicals.
• Vitamin F - as shea butter contains vitamin F it makes it great at strengthening the skin barrier. Vitamin F converts to ceramide when applied to the skin, which is a key ingredient for keeping the foremost barrier of skin healthy and moisturised.

Shea butter has many benefits for skin so it is no surprise that it is used in plenty of skin care products. Due to its soothing and moisturising properties, shea butter products are great for dry or sensitive skin. Below are a few NIVEA products that contain shea butter for face, hands and body.

Our skin is our bodies first and foremost line of defence against infection and disease, so it is crucial that we look after it. As well as cleansing daily in the shower or bath it is very important to further moisturise our body to keep our skin hydrated and healthy. Throughout the day we are exposed to factors that can wear our skin down causing it to crack and dry out, therefore we should replenish the moisture our skin loses each day so it can continue to function properly.

As well as looking after our skin's natural protective barrier, ensuring our skin is moisturised daily by having a body skin care routine can help to prevent premature ageing and reduce signs of mature skin. Body moisturisers with shea butter for skin can help to smooth our skin and improve its elasticity. Looking after our body skin will ensure it stays firm and youthful so you can hold onto your radiant glow, even as you start to age.