Shea butter is a vital ingredient in Hillary cosmetics, notably used in our renowned body butters.
The oil is extracted from the fruits of the Shea tree, which grows in Africa. This species of tree can live up to 300 years and begins to bear fruit at around 25 years of age. In Africa, it's called the tree of life. This reverence for Shea is due to its bark and fruits being used for food, cosmetics, and pharmacological purposes.
The fruit of the Shea tree is called karite and resembles a small avocado. Shea butter has a nutty aroma, sometimes with subtle hints of coconut. It's a fairly thick liquid, ranging in color from yellow to white, depending on the oil's quality.
Shea butter has outstanding emollient qualities, making it beneficial for dry, dehydrated, and rough skin. This ingredient positively influences collagen synthesis, which, in turn, is responsible for youthful skin. Thus, Shea butter can prevent and slow down skin aging. The regenerative properties of Shea butter are also widely known. It promotes the healing of cuts and scratches. Shea butter is also used to treat skin conditions, including eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Given such a broad list of beneficial properties, it's not surprising that Shea butter began to be used in cosmetics. It has become particularly popular in natural cosmetics, where effective ingredients with a wide range of applications are needed.
Shea butter is used for the body, where it prevents wrinkle formation, can serve as a protective agent against the negative effects of sun rays, stops inflammation, and promotes regeneration.
Shea butter is applied to moisturize facial skin, reduce wrinkles, improve blood microcirculation, and protect against UV radiation and hypothermia. Women in Africa were the first to notice the benefits of this ingredient and used it as a cream.
In addition, Shea butter is used to create anti-acne masks, lip balms, and eye creams. This component is also used in hair products. Shea butter revitalizes hair structure, promotes growth, and increases elasticity. It's also an excellent remedy for scalp conditions.
Like many other natural ingredients, Shea butter is non-allergenic. However, caution is advisable—a small number of people have an individual intolerance to this ingredient.
