Cold-pressed shea butter, 50 ml

Internally: as a cooking fat.

Externally: directly on the skin and the ends of the hair, for massaging the skin and hair, as an addition to cosmetic creams and masks.

*The effects, methods of use and dosages cited in Botalife's articles and in the leaflets enclosed with each product apply only to Botalife-branded products, for which Botalife guarantees the concentration, purity, quality and origin of the oils.

1. Suitable for every skin type: Shea butter is very low in proteins that can cause allergies. In fact, there is no medical literature documenting allergy to topical use of shea butter.

Shea butter contains no chemical irritants known to dry out the skin and does not clog pores. It is suitable for every skin type.

2. Moisturises the skin:Shea butter is usually used for its moisturising effect. These benefits are linked to the fatty acid content of shea butter, including linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acids.

When you apply shea butter topically, it is quickly absorbed into the skin and acts as a “refatting” agent, restoring lipids and quickly creating moisture. This restores the barrier between the skin and the outside environment, retains moisture and reduces the risk of dryness.

3. Does not make the skin greasy: Shea butter contains high levels of linoleic and oleic acid. These two acids balance each other out, which means that shea butter is easily absorbed by the skin and does not make it greasy.

4. Has an anti-inflammatory action: The plant esters of shea butter have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, shea butter acts on cytokines and other inflammatory cells to slow their production. This may help minimise irritation caused by environmental factors such as dry weather, as well as inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.

5. A powerful antioxidant: Shea butter has significant levels of vitamins A and E, which means it promotes strong antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are important anti-ageing agents. They protect skin cells from free radicals, which can lead to premature ageing and dull skin.

6. Antibacterial action: A 2012 study shows that oral doses of shea bark extract may lead to reduced antimicrobial activity in animals. Although more research is needed, this may indicate possible antibacterial benefits in humans. For this reason, researchers believe that topical application of shea butter may reduce the amount of acne-causing bacteria on the skin.

7. Antifungal action: Shea butter has been established as a powerful remedy for skin infections caused by fungi. Although shea butter may not be able to treat every kind of fungal infection, it has been shown to kill the spores of the fungi that cause ringworm and athlete's foot.

8. Helps prevent acne: Shea butter is rich in various types of fatty acids. This unique composition helps clear your skin of excess oil (sebum). At the same time, shea butter restores moisture to the skin and locks it into the epidermis, so the skin does not dry out or feel “stripped” of oil. The result is a restored natural oil balance in the skin, which can help stop acne before it appears.

9. Helps stimulate collagen production: Shea butter contains triterpenes. These naturally occurring chemical compounds are thought to deactivate the breakdown of collagen fibres. This may minimise the appearance of fine lines and lead to firmer skin.

10. Helps promote cell regeneration: The moisturising and antioxidant properties of shea butter work together to help the skin generate healthy new cells. The human body continuously creates new skin cells and gets rid of dead ones – somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 old skin cells every day. Dead skin cells sit on top, and new skin cells form at the bottom of the upper layer of the skin (the epidermis). With the right moisture balance on the surface of your skin, you will have fewer dead skin cells in the way of fresh cells regenerating in the epidermis.

11. Helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars: Shea butter is thought to stop the reproduction of keloid fibroblasts – scar tissue – while encouraging healthy cell growth to take its place. This may help the skin heal, minimising the appearance of stretch marks and scars.

12. Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: By stimulating collagen production and promoting the generation of new cells, shea butter may help reduce what researchers call photoageing – the wrinkles and fine lines that environmental stress and ageing can create on the skin.

13. Offers extra sun protection: Using shea butter on your skin gives some extra sun protection, so you can apply it over your favourite sunscreen on days you will spend outdoors. Shea butter has an approximate SPF of 3 to 4.

14. Helps prevent hair breakage: A 2017 study found that using shea butter makes hair significantly more resistant to breakage.

15. Helps treat dandruff: One way to treat dandruff (atopic dermatitis) is to restore moisture to a dry, irritated scalp. A 2018 study found that shea butter, when used in combination with other moisturisers, may help reduce dandruff flakes and the risk of flare-ups.

16. Helps soothe conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis: The anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter help soothe the skin and relieve itching. This can be especially useful for inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. In addition, shea butter is absorbed quickly, which can mean quick relief during flare-ups.

17. Helps soothe sunburn and other skin burns: The anti-inflammatory components of shea butter can reduce the redness and swelling caused by burns. Its fatty acid components can also soothe the skin by retaining moisture during the healing process.

18. Helps soothe insect bites: Shea butter has traditionally been used to soothe bee stings and insect bites.

19. Helps wounds heal: As well as reducing underlying inflammation, shea butter is also associated with tissue remodelling, which is crucial in wound healing. Its protective fatty acids can also help protect wounds from environmental irritants during the healing process.

20. Helps relieve arthritis pain: Arthritis is caused by inflammation in the joints. A 2016 animal study of shea butter concentrate suggests it may help reduce inflammation while protecting the joints from further damage. Although this study focused on the knee joints, these potential benefits may extend to other parts of the body.

21. Helps soothe muscle pain: Muscles that have been overworked can be affected by inflammation and stiffness while your body repairs muscle tissue. Shea butter may help with muscle pain in the same way it can help with joint pain – by reducing inflammation.

22. Helps relieve congestion: A 1979 study suggests that shea butter may help relieve nasal congestion. When used in nose drops, shea butter may reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. It may also help reduce damage to the mucosa, which often leads to nasal congestion. These effects may be beneficial in dealing with allergies, sinusitis or the common cold.