SHEA BUTTER: Ideal Protection for Your Skin During Winter

Shea butter is an effective natural treatment for eczema, rashes, itching, skin cracking and peeling, as well as arthritis pain

Chapped lips, cracked heels, and the rash and itching of skin conditions like eczema all seem to worsen in winter months due to dryness and colder temperatures. Most of us experience some form of dry to severely dry skin. Some people even experience flare-ups of conditions such as eczema, skin rash, skin cracking and itching, and psoriasis because of the dry air and lack of moisture.

Feel Good in Your Own Skin with Shea Butter

Natural Shea butter is made from a vegetable oil extracted from seeds of the fruit produced by the shea tree. These trees grow wild in 19 countries across the African continent, with Burkina Faso (which has Shea trees on 75% of its territory) being the country with the largest number of Shea trees in the world.

It takes five years for the Shea tree to mature and start producing fruit, with some trees continuing to produce up to 200 years. Shea butter in its pure form is rich in Vitamins A, E, D, and F, and offers natural sun protection. Because of its high potency, people in Africa have been using Shea butter over the last 5,000 years for cooking, skin care and healing, as well as ceremonial rituals.

Shea Butter has gained popularity in the food and cosmetic industry in the last 25 years as an ingredient in chocolate manufacturing, as well as in creams, lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Pure Shea butter, or lotions and creams with at least 80% Shea butter, provide the best moisturizing protection from harsh winter conditions for the skin, while rejuvenating and regenerating it.

Shea Butter for Skin Conditions

Shea butter, used in its pure form or combined with other pure essential oils, is an effective natural treatment for eczema, rashes, itching, skin cracking and peeling, as well as arthritis pain and other joint pain. Pure Shea butter does not clog the pores, but rather penetrates deep inside the skin to provide rich moisture and start the healing from inside out.

Pure Shea butter has a nutty, smoky smell that might vary from mild to strong and very strong. Pure Shea butter also varies in colour from yellow to ivory and white based on the maturity level of the seeds used to prepare the butter. The variance in color and smell of Shea butter does not have any bearing on quality. The quality of pure Shea butter is rather a function of the quality of the seeds used to prepare it as well as the way it has been prepared. The traditional way of making Shea butter is the best way to make the highest quality Shea butter with the highest healing properties and nutrients. The traditional way of making Shea butter also affords many women with economic opportunities, which is the reason why Shea butter is known as the woe’s gold.

Pure Shea butter naturally hardens in cooler weather. Melt pure Shea butter between the hands or fingers this winter to warm, and apply, soothing and easing away dry skin naturally for healthy skin and a beautiful glow.

Saidou MAIGA is the president of MAIGA Shea Butter Based in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.