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| Catalog Number | CI-SC-0610 |
| Product Name | Shea Butter |
| CAS | 194043-92-0 |
| Description | Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It is commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products due to its moisturizing and emollient properties. Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients that make it an excellent natural ingredient for skin and hair care. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe skin irritation and reduce redness. Additionally, Shea butter is believed to have anti-aging properties due to its ability to stimulate collagen production, which can help improve skin elasticity and texture. It is a versatile product that can be used in a variety of ways, including as a moisturizer, lip balm, hair conditioner, or even a cooking ingredient. |
| Appearance | creamy, off-white or yellowish-white colored substance |
| Application | 1. Moisturizer: Shea butter is a highly effective natural moisturizer for the skin. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamins that help to nourish and hydrate the skin from within. 2. Anti-inflammatory: Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it useful in treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. 3. Anti-aging: The high concentrations of vitamins A and E in shea butter help to promote collagen production and keep the skin healthy and youthful. 4. Sun protection: Shea butter contains cinnamic acid which provides a natural sun protection factor (SPF) of around 6. This makes it a good ingredient in DIY sunscreens. 5. Hair conditioner: Shea butter can be used to moisturize and condition the hair. It helps to prevent breakage and promotes healthy hair growth. 6. Stretch marks: Shea butter can also be used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Its moisturizing properties help to improve skin elasticity and tone. 7. Lip balm: Shea butter can be used as a natural lip balm. It helps to hydrate and protect the lips from dryness and cracking. 8. Natural makeup remover: Shea butter can be used to remove makeup from the face. Its oily texture helps to dissolve makeup and dirt, leaving the skin clean and moisturized. 9. Muscle soreness: Shea butter can also be used as a natural remedy for muscle soreness. It helps to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, which can help to relieve pain and stiffness. 10. Wound healing: Shea butter can be applied topically to minor wounds and burns. Its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties can help to promote faster healing and reduce scarring. |
| Features And Benefits | 1. Moisturizes skin 2. Reduces inflammation 3. Improves skin elasticity 4. Prevents stretch marks 5. Provides relief for itchy and dry skin 6. soothes sunburned skin 7. Treats acne and blemishes 8. Has anti-aging properties. |
Shea butter, derived from the kernels of the shea tree native to western Africa, has long been esteemed for its exceptional properties in skincare and beauty formulations. Historically referenced in Afro-Egyptian medicinal and beauty applications, shea butter boasts a legacy of use, including by figures such as Cleopatra. This off-white, semi-solid fat, known scientifically as Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, is primarily composed of vegetable fat, which seamlessly integrates with the skin's lipid layers to deliver superb moisturizing effects. It effectively locks in moisture, preventing dehydration and addressing conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant attributes, shea butter contains a rich array of active ingredients including vitamins A and E, allantoin, and phenolic compounds. These components work collectively to combat skin aging and provide a natural barrier against sun-induced damage. Widely utilized in various cosmetic products, from lotions and creams to sun and after-sun care items, shea butter is heralded for its ability to nourish and enhance the skin's overall texture and appearance. Its rich composition, safety, and soothing properties make it a staple ingredient in effective beauty formulations, ensuring skin remains plump, smooth, and radiant.
Abdul-Mumeen, Iddrisu, et al. African Journal of Biochemistry Research, 2019, 13(2), 9-22.
Shea butter is a high-value shea butter that is used as an antimicrobial and moisturizer in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Standard extraction techniques for shea butter include traditional, mechanical, enzymatic and chemical methods.
· Traditional Hand Extraction Process: This is also known as the wet extraction process, which solidifies shea butter by pounding, roasting, grinding, kneading, heating, decanting and cooling. This method has low extraction efficiency and unstable butter production.
· Mechanical processing technology: This method, also known as cold-pressed extraction, does not involve the various heating stages of the traditional process. Mechanical processing technology can be further subdivided into mechanical pressing and centrifugal methods.
· Chemical Extraction Technique: In this method, the dried kernels are first crushed into a paste and then fed into a Soxhlet extractor. Then add an organic solvent such as n-hexane or diethyl ether. Let the mixture sit for a few hours to separate the oil, decan it and allow it to solidify.
· Enzyme-Assisted Extraction Technology: Enzymatic extraction of vegetable oils using water-soluble enzymes involves the degradation of cell walls, which then releases the oil.
Andersson, Ann-Charlotte, et al. Cosmet. Toilet, 2015, 130, 18-25.
Shea butter has gained widespread attention in the cosmetics industry for its sensory and skin-care properties. A variety of triterpene compounds with different structures have been found in shea butter, which have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. This work evaluated the various effects of shea butter triterpene esters on skin inflammation, barrier thickness, and collagen production. The results indicate that shea butter extract serves as a potential bioactive lipid complex to protect skin from environmental stress conditions and treat aging skin.
The bioactivity of shea butter
· Anti-inflammatory activity: Shea butter triterpenes show significant anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the release of IL-1α cytokine.
· Barrier thickness: Shea butter triterpenes also contribute to skin barrier strength and protection by increasing epidermal thickness.
· Collagen activity: Shea butter triterpenes enhance collagen activity by increasing the surface percentage occupied by collagen in the papillary dermis.
· Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): Shea butter triterpenes demonstrate a reduction in MMP-3 expression, indicating a moderate inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases.
· Ex vivo: Ex vivo studies also confirm the collagen-protecting activity of shea butter triterpenes by reducing collagenase activity.
What is shea butter?
Shea butter is fat that is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree.
Is shea butter safe for all skin types?
Yes, shea butter is safe for all skin types as it does not contain allergenic proteins and does not clog pores.
What are the moisturizing effects of shea butter?
Shea butter acts as a "refatting" agent, restoring lipids and creating moisture on the skin.
Does shea butter make the skin oily?
No, shea butter is easily absorbed by the skin and does not make it look oily.
Does shea butter have anti-inflammatory properties?
Yes, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties and can help minimize irritation and inflammatory skin conditions.
Is shea butter antioxidant?
Yes, shea butter contains high levels of vitamins A and E, which contribute to its antioxidant activity.
Does shea butter have antibacterial benefits?
More research is needed, but it is speculated that shea butter may have antibacterial benefits and reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
Can shea butter help prevent acne?
Yes, shea butter helps clear the skin of excess oil, restores moisture, and balances the natural oils in the skin, potentially preventing acne.
How does shea butter boost collagen production?
Shea butter contains triterpenes, which are thought to deactivate collagen fiber destruction, resulting in plumper skin and minimizing fine lines.
How does shea butter promote cell regeneration?
Shea butter's moisturizing and antioxidant properties work together to help generate healthy new skin cells by maintaining the right moisture balance on the skin's surface.
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