Shea butter is popular probably because of its numerous uses and benefits. It is useful for cooking, as well as for skin and hair care purposes. Shea butter is an ivory coloured fat extracted from the nut of the Shea tree (also known as the Karite tree) native to West Africa. Many people cannot do without Shea butter and we have compiled a list of the benefits and uses of Shea butter.

Benefits And Uses Of Shea Butter
       1. Skin Care

Shea butter moisturises dry skin by keeping the skin hydrated and soft, apply after taking a bath for the best effect.
Shea butter has a sun protection factor of 6 (SPF-6) which helps protect the skin against sun exposure. It also contains anti-inflammatory agents which make it helpful in reducing burning and soreness after sun exposure and getting rid of under eye bags and acne.
Shea butter helps smooth out wrinkled skin.
Shea butter helps prevent stretch marks during pregnancy and also helps reduce stretch marks; apply liberally during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks.
Shea is helpful in treating skin problems such as blemishes, eczema, skin allergies, skin rash, itching etc.

       2. Baby care
        Shea butter is very useful for baby skin care.

You could use it as a baby lotion all over the body.
You could use Shea in place of olive oil for baby massage.
You could also use Shea butter as barrier cream when wearing diaper for baby and it is very helpful in treating diaper rash.

       3. Hair care

Shea butter can be used to soften frizzy hair.
Shea can be used as a heat protectant when heat styling hair.
It prevents the hair from drying out and becoming brittle.
It relieves dandruff when massaged into the scalp.
Regular application of Shea butter helps promote healthy hair growth.

       4. Lip care
You can make your very own home-made lip balm using Shea butter and coconut oil or you could just apply Shea butter only as lip balm; it will help keep the lips moisturised and healthy.
       5. Health benefits

Shea butter provides pain relief from aching joints and inflamed areas. It is especially useful to people suffering from arthritic and rheumatic pain.
It helps to relieve muscle soreness from sports, exercise and other strenuous activity.
Shea butter has been proven to give relief from nasal congestion, cold and sore nose.
Shea gives relief from insect bites such as mosquito bites and honey bee stings.