Extracted from the nuts of the Vitelleria paradoxa tree aka Tree of Life. The shea tree grows naturally across the savannah belt of Africa. All parts of the shea tree are used for medicine purposes. The butter is extracted from the fruit of the tree, commonly used as food & cosmetically for the skin & hair.
Shea butter is primarily made of stearic & oleic acids, and melts at body temperature. Working together, stearic & oleic acid help maintain the moisture content of the skin by forming a protective barrier.
Stearic & oleic acid also helps in the fight against free radicals, and repairs the skin by stimulating cell regeneration, and providing anti-inflammatory properties. They also reflect some of the UV radiation from the sun to help protect against photo-aging.
Shea butter is sold as unrefined or refined:
Refined shea butter is processed at a higher heat, resulting in a product white in color with no odor. During refining, the majority of the healing benefits are lost. Almost all the products you find on the market contains refined shea butter to extend the shelf life, give a pleasant smell, and to prevent graininess when temperatures get warmer.
Unrefined results in a product that has a more natural color, stronger scent, and the highest concentration of antioxidants. The drawback will be a product that doesn't last as long, and the odor can be undesirable to some.
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