You know how some people are about coconut oil or duct tape? They are MEGA obsessed over them. They believe it can cure anything, like LITERALLY ANYTHING! They’re like, “Hey, did the bumper of your car fall off? Have some duct tape! Hey, having trouble losing weight? Have some coconut oil!” They are so obsessed they are practically the weird uncle from My Big Fat Greek Wedding who thinks Windex can cure everything. That’s pretty much how I am about Shea Butter (I’m not even kidding a little).
So… yes, the rumors are true, I’m in love with Shea Butter. Of course, the title of this blog kind of gave that away. After all, I’d be a strange person to have it in the title if I hated it. I know you might be worried for me in regards to being in love with an inanimate item. Don’t worry though, my husband knows. And although he is a bit saddened and jealous by this, he understands and is pretty chill about it because SHEA BUTTER IS AMAZING! Who can resist its silky smooth yellow goldness? Or its musky nutty smell? Plus, it’s rich in Vitamins A, D, and E. Oh yeah, and it has antioxidants and fatty acids helping your skin stay young and soft.
Okay, so I’m sure you can tell I’m being just a TAD overly dramatic (just a tad, you know?) but Shea Butter really is awesome. It changed my life! Okay, so I’m being overly dramatic again. Seriously though, fellow Shea Butter lovers know what I’m talking about. In case you haven’t yet made the acquaintance of Shea Butter, let me give you some reasons to check it out (because, that’s why you’re still reading this right? You’re like TELL ME WHY I NEED THIS STUFF IN MY LIFE ALREADY!!!).
- MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE!!!
If your skin resembles the Saharan desert, look no further! Shea butter to the rescue! It’s healing and moisturizing qualities are truly wonderful. I used to use lotion, body creams and body butters ALL THE TIME. I had to use them on my hands at least once a day or my hands became a bloody and cracked mess. Then, when I started to get more into DIY and natural health, I had half a heart attack when I saw all the crazy ingredients in the stuff I had been buying. So I bought Shea Butter to make my own body butter. It worked AMAZING. It was WAY better than store bought stuff. Unfortunately, I ran out. In a turn of desperate events caused my exhaustion and lack of time, I tried just using straight Shea Butter in place of my homemade concoction of body butter. That was almost 4 years ago, and I haven’t looked back! It works BETTER than the homemade body butter and all I have to do is take of the lid and rub it on my body. I’m all about easy solutions that are natural but don’t take a lot of time to make, so this was a win-win for me.
- MAGICAL HEALING POWERS
Okay, so it’s not REALLY magical but it truly is amazing. For instance, both my sons have struggled with bad eczema. What has ended up working the best at healing it, even when it has gotten scratched so much its bloody and crusty? SHEA BUTTER. What has worked the best at keeping their skin moist and eczema free where they are prone to outbreaks? SHEA BUTTER. Until I came across Shea Butter for my oldest son, I had tried everything such as Aquaphor, Cetaphil, Vaseline, Hydrocortizone cream, etc. Nothing worked as well as Shea Butter. It also has worked wonders for diaper rash! I used to use commercial butt cream for my babies when they would get a diaper rash. Then I started using Shea butter and let me tell you, IT WORKS SOOOO MUCH BETTER! The fact that it is totally natural too is another plus. No crazy weird chemicals on my little people’s butts.
- DIY FOR DAYS!
There are many DIY recipes with Shea Butter. Listed below are my three favorites.
-DIY Sunscreen with Shea Butter:
Shea butter sunscreen, you ask? Yep, Shea Butter ACTUALLY has a natural SPF, by itself, of 6-10. Now granted, that isn’t much but it isn’t nothing either! Combine it with some other oils and Zinc Oxide and BOOM! You got yourself some serious sun screen! It doesn’t rub off, so it could be labeled as sports and water proof, it smells great, its cheap and easy to make, and it works! Here’s a link to my favorite sun screen recipe here: https://frugallysustainable.com/natural-homemade-sunscreen-recipe/
For the “butter blend” part of the recipe I use Shea Butter. Wow, total shocker, huh?
-DIY Shaving cream:
This is basically like a shaving cream and moisturizing treatment all in one. It’s a bit greasy but it does work great and feels amazing. Here’s the link for it: http://everydayroots.com/homemade-shaving-cream
-DIY Deodorant
Shea butter in deodorant? Say it isn’t so! It IS though and it works great! This deodorant holds up even when I’m doing an intense workout and sweating up a storm. I don’t know how it holds up in super humid climates (I live in Southern California so I don’t really have to deal with much humidity), BUT I dare you to give it a try. Your arm pits just might thank you. Here’s the link: https://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/recipe-homemade-deodorant-really-works.html
So, now that you are ready for Shea Butter in your life, you may be wondering, what kind should you buy? I have tried several different kinds, and the kind I like the best is this Raw and Organic Shea Butter I get on Amazon. Here is the link (and yes, if you buy it through this link you help me out so thanks in advance if you end up ordering it): Real Certified ORGANIC RAW SHEA BUTTER, PREMIUM Unrefined African IVORY Tan/White Color; 16.0 oz [Two 8 oz Bars] in Gold UV Protective Bag. Best Natural Moisturizer; Great for DIY Body Butters, etc.
From what I have read, you want the unrefined raw organic kind, which is what I get. If you get it, you will notice it is really thick and doesn’t spread super easy. Just warm it up for a few seconds in the palms of your hands by rubbing it in a circular motion and it will be ready to go! It’s that easy. Since it IS so thick, a little bit goes a long ways. So you don’t need to use as much which is great because that equals savings! Okay, now I’m starting to sound like a cheesy infomercial. I get that. I don’t mean to give off that vibe. That being said, I really am passionate about Shea Butter (because you TOTALLY couldn’t tell). So, if you haven’t given Shea Butter a try yet, do it! You won’t regret it, and you just might fall in love with it too.
There are, of course, other AMAZING uses for Shea Butter. Please let me know in the comments below what are your favorite uses for Shea Butter. I’d be stoked to be able to find another use for Shea Butter, because, you know, I kinda like the stuff. Or, ask me a question about Shea Butter. Hopefully I can prove myself worthy in my love for Shea Butter and be able to answer your questions. Thanks for reading!
