Shea butter as an after-shave treatment.

Whether you use a disposable razor, a straight razor, an electric razor, or any other, shaving is a process that often impacts the surface of the skin.

Razor burn is one of the consequences of shaving. It dries out the epidermis and increases the risk of itching and pain. Besides the face, it can also occur on the legs, underarms, or any other part of the body that has been freshly shaved close. The skin is pulled and the hair follicle is twisted before being removed by the razor blade. As the skin, particularly that of the face, is quite sensitive, it reacts.

Razor burn can be caused by the use of a dull razor whose blades are not sharp. It can also occur due to rushed or daily shaving that irritates the skin. Repeatedly passing the razor blade over the same area removes the protective and superficial layer of the skin, making it quite vulnerable. Therefore, razor burn is to be expected.

It can manifest in several ways. Indeed, you may experience a burning sensation after shaving. You may also notice a rash or redness on the shaved area. The appearance of bumps or ingrown hairs is also one of the consequences of razor burn. These may be accompanied by tingling. In people with oily skin, pimples form and multiply in the area subject to the passage of the blades. In those with dry skin, patches of redness are visible. Pimples due to shaving are generally not very sensitive. However, when they are infected, they can be painful and thick.

Extracted from the nuts of shea fruit, shea butter contains numerous beneficial properties for the skin.

Moisturizer

Rich in fatty acids, comprising 40 to 50% oleic acids and 36 to 50% stearic acid, shea butter helps to maintain skin hydration. It strengthens the skin barrier, thereby reducing noticeable water loss and maintaining hydration.

The hydrating effects of shea butter were demonstrated in an experiment where participants' hands were washed with ethanol to absorb water and induce dryness. The results showed that the skin fully recovered from transepidermal water loss within two hours when treated with shea butter.

Regenerating

Shea butter aids in promoting collagen production, a protein essential for skin elasticity, firmness, and resilience. α-amyrin and lupeol are triterpenes found in the unsaponifiable fraction of shea butter. They deactivate proteases such as collagenase, a metalloprotease, and elastase, a serine protease. Generally, the components of the unsaponifiable part of shea butter contribute to increasing collagen synthesis.

When applied after shaving, shea butter helps to heal minor cuts.

Anti-inflammatory

Shea butter possesses anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of a terpenic alcohol, the lupeol. It has an inhibitory action on the expressions of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-12 mRNA induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

The application of shea butter helps to soothe inflammations caused by the repetitive use of razor blades.

Its natural composition

Shea butter does not contain any alcohol or fragrance that can harm the skin surface. It is ideal to apply a shea-based product rather than a scented after-shave lotion, which contains alcohol and further irritates the skin.

Thanks to its active ingredients, shea butter hydrates the cellular tissues of the skin to promote their renewal and establish a protective barrier. The healing of micro-cuts and nicks is also accelerated to prevent infectious germs from settling in and causing skin infections.

Warm a dollop of pure, unrefined shea butter between your hands and then apply it to the targeted area, massaging it in to ensure the oil is fully absorbed.

You can also apply the 1% hyaluronic acid and shea butter nourishing face cream after shaving to soothe the skin. It hydrates, nourishes the skin and restores the hydrolipidic film to limit skin dehydration .

PEKER K; &al. Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits from the Shea Tree- (Vitellaria Paradoxa). Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare (2017).