Shea Butter Soap Benefits & Top Reasons to Use It
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No one wants to put soap on their skin if they don’t know what it can do for them. In this blog post, we will look at the benefits of using shea butter soap, including its ability to heal dry skin, nourish with vitamins and minerals, and help heal acne.
The Benefits of Shea Butter Soap
Many times I wonder what else can Shea butter be used in. And as much as I’m not really a ‘soap person’ (too many years using liquid soap) I must say the first product containing Shea butter was (you guessed it) a simple bar of soap.
Years ago, I visited a herbal/natural store in London and I found myself heading towards the ‘beauty’ area. It was then when my eyes landed on a stylish (but incredibly plain) small box containing the words ‘Shea Butter Soap’ in it. I was instantly hooked.
**Just a quick video to share with all of you how excited I was to find my first Shea butter soap! Camera angle was not great, but hey, I needed to share 🙂
Yes, this was my first experience with a wonderful new ingredient. Little did I know then that I would be using it in almost every single skincare recipe I have made since.
This blog is packed with entries on Shea butter. Some better than others, but I definitely have dedicated an extensive amount of time writing about this product. And, still, I feel I know nothing about it. How can that be? I claim it does this, that and the other to your skin, but I’m not 100% sure of what it does exactly to my skin other than make it feel soft and nice and supple and moisturised and glowy and… well, that seems to be more than enough for me to understand this is a GREAT ingredient. Isn’t it.
Do I need to send my skin to the lab and see what results I get after using the butter? Nope.
I also don’t need to be a doctor or hold a scientific or medical degree to understand that synthetic ingredients don’t speak the same language as my body. They don’t speak the same language as any area on this Earth, either, and I’m all about understanding what I put in and on my body and what we put on the Earth.
I’ve written extensively about Shea butter on this blog (explaining the butter is made from the fruit of the Shea tree which grows in Africa, and it is a natural emollient that provides moisturising and many other benefits to the skin) it is a pleasure for me to travel back in time to the first time I stumbled upon it and how my heart knew, right away, it was love at first sight.
But this is JUST a soap at the end of the day? I hear you say. Well, yes, it is. But a company that makes soaps naturally (and the Shea butter soap I bought was made THIS way) will not (hopefully) advertise misleadingly.
So, let’s forget about artificial fragrances, foaming agents, chemical hardeners et all. Let’s ditch the lot of it. Don’t trust anyone: some of the wholesalers I buy my natural ingredients from actually sell artificial fragrances as part of their ‘natural range’. (??!) How is this possible?? There’s nothing NATURAL about ARTIFICIAL fragrance! It’s not just about the wording, it’s how these fragrances are made.
But let’s leave that for a different entry. At the end of the day, I’m still learning about all of this myself.
Difference Handmade Soap vs Store Soap (incl. Natural Ones!)
All my soaps feel soft and smooth and lather differently. Also, they DON’T smell of anything other than… well, just ‘soapy’. I don’t add essential oils for fragrance because it would cost me a bomb and watching it be wasted down the drain is too painful. Plants haven’t spent millions of years improving their chemical structure so we pour their essences down the drain in literally 10 seconds. Ridiculous.
So many ‘natural’ companies use ‘artificial’ fragrances! What a joke. Just check the ingredients. You’ll see it there, somewhere, usually towards the end of the list.
Natural soaps contain glycerin and are very gentle on your skin. I make both cold processed soap and hot processed soap, the latter being my favourite as it leaves my skin INCREDIBLY at the end of the day. Commercial soaps never feel as smooth. There’s more, of course. Take a look:
Commercial soaps are generally less expensive and more readily available than handmade natural soaps. They contain harsh chemicals and preservatives which can irritate your skin leaving it dry and itchy. This means that many people with sensitive skin find it near impossible to use commercial brands of soap without discomfort, or a skin complaint such as dermatitis or eczema. Commercial soaps are mass produced which means that less care and attention is given to the recipes.
Source
Who knows what goes into a soap nowadays. Trusting the company is part of what makes a natural soap, well, natural. If you’re not making it yourself (and I don’t have time at the moment), I need to purchase from a trustworthy company.
A Shea butter soap can be used to wash your hands, to wash your body, to wash the hands and body of your entire family because it will be gentle enough for every type of skin, including hypersensitive skin or skin with issues like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. It’s a one-stop-shop solution of a soap, I tell you. It will hydrate your skin, keep it soft, moisturised and feeling, well… healthy!
Let’s have a look at the benefits of Shea butter.
Why is Shea Butter so Good for the Skin?
Shea butter is an excellent natural emollient and moisturiser; it softens and protects the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it reduces irritation and redness. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits, making it great for treating acne. It is also beneficial for dry skin conditions because of its natural moisturising properties.
It’s also rich in Vitamins A, D and E, calcium, zinc and copper. All these substances combine to make an ingredient that can benefit your skin in so many ways.
Let’s have a look at some of them:
1. It’s safe for all skin types
So this means you and your entire family. No matter if you have normal, oily, combination, dry or even sensitive skin – Shea butter has something good for everyone.
2. It’s moisturising
Very moisturising! The best thing about Shea butter is its ability to lock moisture inside. That way, no matter how much water evaporates off our skins, Shea butter keeps us hydrated.
3. It’s anti-inflammatory, has antibacterial, antifungal & antioxidant properties
Need I say more. Wonderful chemical compounds (packed with Vitamins and minerals and other) in Shea butter make it soldier of a butter. (I’ll stop with the puns now.)
4. It’s nourishing
The fatty acids found in Shea butter work wonders when applied topically. They nourish the skin and improve its elasticity.
5. It helps boost collagen production and promotes cell regeneration
Collagen is needed for strong, healthy skin. It also helps with wound healing, making Shea butter a great all-round ally for your skin.
6. It may help soothe conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis
Shea butter soap can help soothe conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. It works because it contains fatty acids which are crucial to the healing of skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it helpful for inflammatory conditions.
The above benefits are probably enough for you to understand this is not just a natural ingredient: this is a powerful skin-saving ingredient, suitable for every skin type.
Why is Shea Butter So Good for your Body?
Shea butter a natural moisturizer great to use on your body because it nourishes and softens your skin. It’s all about the fatty acids that are found in the butter. They moisturize not only the surface of your skin but also the deeper layers of your skin which means you get soft, smooth, supple skin.
What are the benefits of using shea butter in soap?
Can you guess? All of the above with the added benefits of the cleansing. If you want the power of Shea butter on your skin you better apply neat Shea butter after washing with the soap. But having it as an ingredient in the soap will leave your skin wonderfully soft and moisturized, ready to accept the right care. And if you use a good and naturally made soap, you won’t go back to any other soap.
Gentle for the entire family
Shea Butter soap is gentle for everyone. It’s also a great moisturiser and can be used to treat dry skin conditions such as eczema. Shea butter soap is also great for the environment.
Moisturising and mild
Shea Butter soap is made from Shea butter that has been mixed with a base of other oils and lye. The resulting mixture creates a soap that is moisturising and mild.
Perfect for dry skin
If you suffer from dry skin then Shea butter soap could be perfect for you. Shea butter contains an abundance of Vitamins which make it very effective against dryness.
Soothing effect
You’ll find that Shea butter soap leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky. You won’t need any extra body lotion afterwards.
Softens skin
Another benefit of Shea butter soap is that it softens the skin leaving it looking healthy and radiant.
It won’t make your skin oily
You’ll need to look at the extra ingredients (I find that olive oil soaps don’t lather and can leave your skin a little too moisturised which might feel oily) but I can assure you that mixed with other oils like coconut, rice oil, avocado and some olive oil, a Shea butter soap won’t make your skin oily. Your skin will feel hydrated but not oily. Ingredient lists are very important.
Protects from harsh weather
If you live in a cold country you will need a soap that can leave your skin soft and silky. This has to have the rest of the right qualities as above to protect your skin from harsh weather. A great soap will leave your skin soft and supple, not dry and cracked.
Can replace your shower gel
Ditch the shower gel… why not? Try the Shea butter soap instead. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
How does your skin feel when using a soap made with Shea butter?
Soft. Mosturised. Smooth. Gentle. Guilt-free. That’s what I feel when I use my natural soaps, and Shea butter soap is extra moisturising. It feels (almost) as if you had applied moisturiser after cleansing. That wonderful.
The Benefits of shea butter soap for acne
I’m aware that some readers might be experiencing acne. Shea butter is supposedly non-comedogenic. This is a rich, luxurious product that should not clog your pores, but, like everything, you have to test against your skin and see how you react.
Shea butter helps reduce the appearance of scars, including acne scars. It is used to regain confidence in skin’s appearance. Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties, too. Stearic fatty acid and allantoin are two nutrients that increase healing rate of skin injuries and blemishes. Shea butter is perfect for helping heal pimple scars.
It’s like a magic potion for relieving redness and irritation.
Are there any other benefits to using Shea Butter soaps compared to others?
If we’re talking about commercially produced soaps, yes. Commercially produced soaps usually contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, colourants, and who knows what else!
Homemade type soaps are likely more expensive than commercial products but they feel wonderful on your skin. Also, most homemade soaps are free of chemicals and artificial additives.
What are the different types of Shea Butter soaps available on the market?
The different types of Shea butter soaps available on the market are:
• Shea Butter Bar Soaps – I always look for bar of soaps that are naturally made (or I make them myself). Look for unrefined shea butter in your soap.
• Shea Butter Shower Cream – this is a good product to use on the body. If you feel like your skin is getting dry, try using Shea butter shower cream. You will find that it softens your skin and leaves it feeling great.
• Shea Butter Body Wash – These are body washes that also include Shea butter. It can be found in a bar or a liquid form. To use it on the body, just wet your hands and apply a small amount to your body. You can also add a few drops to your bath water.
• Shea Butter Shampoo & Conditioner – These are shampoo and conditioners that also include Shea butter. Again, you can find it in a bar or liquid form. Just wet your hair, rub some on your hands and apply to your hair.
When should you use Shea butter soap?
If you get yourself a natural soap made with Shea butter, I recommend using it every day.
Which Shea Butter soap should I buy?
This depends entirely upon how often you wash your face and body. Always look for bars or liquid soap that have been manufactured by companies that produce quality products. If possible, try to purchase organic Shea butter soap because this will help keep your environment clean.
Do Shea Butters work better than regular oils like coconut oil?
Yes, they can, particularly if your skin is dry. The reason being that Shea butter is an excellent emollient. Emollients soften dry skin while keeping moisture locked into it. They do not cause greasiness nor block pores. In fact, many people prefer Shea butter over regular oils such as Coconut Oil due to its ability to soften the skin without causing irritation. In fact, it’s helpful when it comes to irritated skin.
What are some other types of soaps that have great benefits for your skin
I’d like to mention Black African soap. I bought some at the market a while back and I TOTALLY loved them. Black African soap is fantastic for oily and sensitive skin as well as acne prone skin.
I hope that you found this article to be helpful. If you’ve used Unrefined Shea butter soap before let me know how it worked for you…
If you’ve used Black African soaps before, please share your experiences with us… I’d love to hear about it. Leave your reaction in the comments section below.
