Well the answer to all of my skin complaints has finally arrived! I was selected to review one full pound of Organic Raw Unrefined Shea Butter from Beauty By Shea. Shea butter has been used in beauty products and cosmetics for years including moisturizers, lip glosses and soap. I see it as an ingredient in just about every dry skin (and hair) product I use. It's even used medically to treat burns, skin irritation and frostbite. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that it helps my super dry, snakeskin.
I got my package on a super hot day 100+, where it sat on my front porch until I got back from our homeschool park day. When I opened the box, the sealed bag was fine but was totally liquefied. Afraid to open it, I stuck it in the freezer to see if I could get it to harden. I will confess I hadn't the slightest idea what to do with it when it arrived. So while the bag was in the freezer, I did some research on the trusty ol' interwebs to find more information for the uses of pure Shea butter.
I learned that pure Shea butter has a characteristic color, texture and smell.
Not only did I find a bunch of uses for Shea butter including: Stretch marks, insect bites, and eczema (which I happen to have). I also found a bunch of recipes to make your own beauty products such as soap, lotion, hair conditioner and whipped body butter, which I can't wait to try. After spending about 20 minutes in the freezer I took out the now hardened Shea butter and opened it. The brown wrapper was just the outer wrap, to my surprise (and relief) it was actually packaged in clear zip-lock style bag, so it actually comes double-bagged, which is great because it probably would have leaked otherwise. Beauty By Shea's Shea butter is imported from Ghana, and has an ivory, cream or off-white color, it melts by the warmth of your hands and it smells faintly of chocolate (or reminiscent of cocoa butter, which I love the smell of). The smell dissipates after a few minutes (10-20) which is characteristic of pure Shea butter.
I cut off a small chunk of Shea butter to try it out. It softens, then melts completely when you rub your hands together. I tried it on my hands first and noticed that my hands stayed soft, even after washing and drying repeatedly. I've tried everything under the sun to try to relieve my painfully dry skin, and so far Shea butter seems to be doing the trick. I have been using it on my knees, elbows, lips, hair and especially on my feet, which tend to really get gnarly during all of the summertime sandal wearing. Be forewarned though, this is not a light oil. It is a heavy duty oil and should be used sparingly or not at all on oily skin. It also tends absorb slowly, and to be greasy (depending on how much you use) so you have to make sure to rub it in really good if that is something that bothers you. It doesn't bother me, so I slather it on, making it perfect for my dry skin. Also this butter is derived from a nut, so if you have a nut allergy, you should avoid using it.
From Beauty By Shea:
100% Ivory Organic Raw, Unrefined Shea Butter is imported directly from Ghana, and is 100% pure and natural, nothing else added! Naturally rich in essential vitamins for beautiful skin, Beauty By Shea Organic Shea Butter will nourish your skin with Vitamins A, E, F & K.
I was inspired to throw together a recipe of my own using Beauty By Shea Butter.
Calming Whipped Body Butter
4 oz Body By Shea- Shea Butter
1 oz of your favorite neutral oil such as (extra virgin olive oil, Argan oil, avocado oil, etc)
10 drops (or more if you want a stronger scent) of lavender essential oil
You will need an electric mixer
If Shea butter is too hard, set in a warm place to soften enough so it becomes pliable or microwave in glass bowl for 5 seconds (you want it softened, not melted!). Then toss all of the ingredients in a bowl and using an electric mixer, mix on low until incorporated about 30 seconds. Then turn that baby up to high, and whip it....WHIP IT GOOD! No really...whip the mixture until it is light and fluffy for about a minute, scrape down sides of bowl and whip for another 30 seconds. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid. If mixture hardens or separates, set in a warm place to soften, and whip it up again. Try this mixture at night on rough feet and heels. Simply rub on you feet and cover with socks. Wear them overnight for the best results.
For a printable copy of this recipe, click here.
The good folks at Body By Shea are also giving away 1 pound of their awesome Shea Butter to one of my lucky readers! How cool is that?
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.