Shea Butter: The Almost Perfect Ingredient

When formulating our products, one of the mainstays in all of our formulations is Shea Butter. Why, you ask. We are glad you did. Shea Butter is one of the ingredients we use because it has wonderful skin-loving, moisturizing prop

erties. It is easy for your skin to fully absorb and won't make your skin look oily after application. Shea Butter considered non comedogenic with a rating of 0. That's just a big word to use to say little to no likelihood of pores being clogged. To refrain from being overly technical we will keep it simple. it's high in linoleic acid and oleic acids. They kind of cancel each other out, but here's more than you ever wanted to know about them.

According to the minimalist website, https://beminimalist.co, oleic acid, is an omega-9 fatty acid. That means the human body naturally generates it. On its own, topically or in the form of olive oil, it can be harmful to your skin because it disturbs the skins barrier. But, with linoleic acid being a form of omega-6, an integral part of the outer layer of skin, it helps to keep the skin hydrated.

Another wonderful thing about Shea Butter is how it can be combined with other oils like carrot seed and fractionated coconut oil to offer adequate sun protection. Not like sunscreen, but definitely better than wearing absolutely nothing at all. So, you can see why most crafters of homemade bath and body products love Shea.

But, what about the fact that shea butter comes from the nut of a tree? Can people with known tree nut allergies use it? Since we don't make medical products, we will direct you to talk to your healthcare professional. With that said, according to Institute For Agriculture and Natural Resources, on June 26, 2018, they published an article stating refined shea nut butter does not pose any known or likely allergenic risk to consumers including individuals with pre-existing peanut or tree nut allergies. Products containing refined Shea Butter can be safely used by all consumers.

But, we use raw Shea Butter in our products. Do they affect your allergies? Again, we do not make medical products, so we will direct you to talk to your healthcare professional. With that said, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, although shea is a nut, and butter comes from the nut, allergic reactions are extremely rare or, to this date, nonexistent, and shea appears to be safe for children allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.

Another thing we love about shea butter, in it's natural state it has a wonderful "nutty" scent. In our chocolate fragrances it helps the smell last longer.

So, as we said... Shea Butter is an almost perfect ingredient.