TMI time! I'm going to be real and raw for a sec. For as long as I can remember I always had a patch of dry skin between my breasts. In the winter when my skin would be dry, the patch would get so itchy and even dead skin would flake off into my bra. I tried store bought lotions, creams, and moisturizing body washes, but it was always there! When I started making soap, I used a basic recipe that I thought was amazing for my skin, but still that dry patch lingered and it affected my self confidence. I’m sure no one even noticed besides myself.
After a year of making soaps, I decided to dive a little deeper and make my soap even better by adding shea butter and it was literally the best thing I could have done! After testing several recipes, I finally decided on the one that all my Artisan Soaps are made of. After about a week of showering with the shea butter soap, my patch of dry flakey skin was GONE!
For years I dealt with that annoying patch of skin and just like that it was cleared up and still hasn’t returned, even through the winter! Now this is just my personal story, but let’s chat about the properties and benefits of shea butter shall we.
What is Shea Butter?
Shea butter originates from the nuts off of shea trees primarily in West Africa. It is naturally pack full of fatty acids and vitamins making it an amazing ingredient that benefits all skin types. There are a few different variations of shea butter including raw and refined to fit the needs of each individual. If you are hesitant to use butters because you’re worried it will make you look oily, don’t worry! Due to the high amounts of linoleic and oleic acids, these two neutralize each other making the shea butter easy to work into your skin without any added oily appearances.
Briefly, check out the chemical makeup of shea butter to understand why it is so beneficial!
Triglycerides are responsible for the nourishing and conditioning properties of shea.
Linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic fatty acids are essential responsible for balancing the oils on your skin. This is why shea butter will not leave your skin feeling oily.
Cetyl esters help keep moisture locked in to give your skin nourishment.
Lastly, vitamins A, E, and F are some of the antioxidants that help your skin stay beautiful and glowing by regenerating healthy skin cells.
Benefits of Shea Butter
- Helps fight fine lines and wrinkles
- Protects against environmental damages
- Helps fight and prevent acne
- Restores skin elasticity
- Moisturizes all skin types
- Reduces skin inflammation and marks
If all of that doesn’t make you want to lather yourself in shea butter, I don’t know what will! I cannot express enough how much I love shea butter. Give it a try and you will never use a soap without shea butter!
If you’re as shea butter obsessed as we are, check out our selection of Artisan Soaps, Whipped Body Butters and Lotion Bars!
Don’t forget to do something nice for yourself today babe! Self care isn’t selfish. 😘
xo,
Mickeeley