WHAT IS SHEA BUTTER?
Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) in West Africa by crushing and boiling the fruit of the nut. High levels of natural anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids found within the nut’s buttery contents have proven extremely effective for moisturizing and repairing damaged skin.
Shea nuts are picked, cracked, grilled and pounded to extract the butter which is then boiled in water until the fresh shea butter rises to the surface. It is then scooped into gourds and left to cool and set. Although these artisanal methods result in smaller output, no chemicals or synthetic agents are needed at any stage. Shea butter may also be extracted by pressing in an expeller type press which cuts 3-5 hours off the extraction time. Again, no chemicals or synthetics are needed. The end product of either method is raw, or unrefined shea butter.
HOW IS SHEA BUTTER USED?
The many common uses of shea butter include moisturizing to improve skin conditions including wrinkles (anti-aging), rashes, sun burns, blemishes, scars, psoriasis and eczema. The properties of shea butter are known to increase circulation to the skin, hydrate and sooth dry and chapped skin without leaving a greasy residue, revitalizing skin.
In Africa, shea butter is often referred to as “women’s gold” because so many young women are employed in the production of shea butter. In many parts of West Africa, destruction of shea trees is prohibited because the karite nut is such a valuable source of food, medicine and income for the population.
IS ALL SHEA BUTTER THE SAME?
All shea butter is not the same. Shea butter loses healing properties the longer it sits on the shelf, causing old shea butter to be much less beneficial. Refining techniques vary greatly and highly processed Shea Butter will not be as effective. The shea butter used in ozone layer deodorant is unrefined and organic and each bottle of ozone deodorant comes with a stamped date of manufacturing so you know the product you receive is fresh and full of potent healing benefits of natural shea butter.