Utilisation du beurre de karité en hiver.

The various uses of shea butter in winter

The cold and winter wind can weaken and dry out the skin and hair if they are not properly protected. Nourishing and hydrating, shea butter is among the recommended ingredients for protecting against the effects of the cold. Here are the various uses of shea butter in winter.

Summary
Published July 11, 2023, updated on October 4, 2024, by Manon, Scientific Editor — 5 min read

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the shea tree, a plant native to West Africa. Rich in triglycerides, vitamins, and fatty acids, it has emollient, moisturizing, and nourishing properties. Its moisturizing and nourishing properties come from its high content of fatty acids (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated). These fatty acids strengthen the hydrolipidic film, thus contributing to skin hydration. Vitamins A and E give it antioxidant properties that help protect the skin and hair from free radicals.

Shea butter has a high content of unsaponifiables, which gives it strong penetrating properties. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe skin itching caused, for example, by acne or by sunburn.

Some uses of shea butter in winter.

The shea butter is used on the body and hair. It should be noted that it is suitable for both adults and children:

  • To protect lips from the cold: delicate, sensitive, and exposed, lips directly endure the effects of the cold. They thus require special attention. To shield them from the impacts of winter, apply shea butter to your lips several times a day. Thanks to the moisturizing, protective, and nourishing properties of shea butter, your lips will remain soft and hydrated.

  • To nourish the skin of the hands: under the influence of cold and frequent washing, the skin on the hands becomes dry, leading to the appearance of cracks and chapping. Regularly use shea butter to nourish and soften it in order to prevent dryness and the emergence of cracks.

  • On the body: place a dollop of shea butter in your warm bath. Your skin will then be covered with an oily veil that will protect it from drying out. It will remain hydrated, soft, and supple. You can also massage a small amount of shea butter between your hands and apply it daily to clean, dry skin.

  • For hair: apply shea butter as a mask to protect and deeply nourish your hair. To do this, mix a dab of shea butter with a virgin oil (olive oil, avocado oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil) and apply the mixture to your entire hair, focusing on the ends. Allow it to sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes before using your regular shampoo. Shea butter will restore shine and flexibility to your hair.

The use of shea butter in Typology skincare products.

Shea butter can be used alone or in combination with other butters and plant oils. It is included in several Typology skincare products. It is a component of the 9-ingredient nourishing lip balm, the hyaluronic acid-based nourishing face cream (suitable for normal, combination, and dry skin), the firming night mask with prickly pear, and the stretch mark gel-oil.

The 9-ingredient lip balm is ideal for alleviating feelings of tightness and dryness caused by the cold. To apply it, simply massage a small amount of the balm directly onto your lips several times a day.

In the stretch mark gel-to-oil, shea butter works in synergy with baobab oil (INCI: Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil) to reduce the appearance of stretch marks while restoring skin suppleness. This gel is applied to dry, clean skin by massaging until the product is absorbed.

The Nourishing Face Cream with 1% Hyaluronic Acid + Shea Butter (INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate) nourishes the skin and restores the hydrolipidic film to prevent skin dehydration. Shea butter soothes and protects the skin from external aggressions. This cream should be applied morning and evening to dry and clean skin after your usual serum. Massage in a circular motion until the product is absorbed.

The firming night mask with organic Prickly Pear oil (INCI: Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil) nourishes and regenerates weakened skin. The shea butter it contains helps to soften and restore elasticity to the skin.

Nourishing and soothing for skin dehydrated by the cold, shea butter serves as an effective natural treatment to protect the skin against the minor inconveniences of winter.

Source

  • PEKER K. & al. Medicinal and nutritional benefits from the shea tree. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare (2017).

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