Shea Butter: The Ultimate Versitile Skin Care Product

Shea butter - it's so simple, yet so versatile. So many products today, even the natural ones, have 10 or 20 things listed in under their ingredients. This ONE ingredient is powerful, effective and great for skin. Shea butter comes from the nut of the African shea tree and is actually edible, so you know you can put it on your skin. Unrefined shea butter is the best for skin care, because it has the most healing properties.

Shea Butter can be used for:

• Sun protection - it has skin protecting qualities that help mildly block UV rays
• All over facial/body moisturizer and eye cream- it helps reduce fine lines, minor scars and age spots and deeply moisturizes
• Lip balm - this is usually a main ingredient in lip balm, so rub it on to keep your lips soft
• Hair tamer and styling product - take a small amount and rub it between the palms of your hands. To define kinky, tight curls, rub through clean wet hair and let air dry. For wavy or straight hair, take a small amount and lightly apply to already styled, dry hair for a light hold and to tame flyaways.
• Deep moisturizing hair and scalp treatment - massage a generous amount into hair and scalp. Let it sit for at least half an hour. Shampoo and condition hair as usual. You might need to shampoo a couple of times to get all of the butter out. Then pat hair dry, blowdry and style and your hair should be shiny and voluminous.
• Soften feet - slather shea butter onto clean, dry feet and massage. The cover feet with warm cotton socks and go to sleep. Wake up with smooth, soft feet.
• Soothe dry, cracked hands - when hands are dry and cracked during cold weather, smooth on shea butter like a hand salve. Reapply as necessary.

I recommend finding some unrefined, organic, fair trade shea butter for best result. A little goes a long way with this stuff. I have had my shea butter jar for years and it is still great.