Shea butter (karite) for the face - unique recipes for creams and masks

Is it possible to prepare a nourishing, moisturizing and anti-aging product at the same time at home, with your own hands, without using any incredible ingredients?

The answer is yes, and it will be a cream based on shea butter, which in itself relieves irritation, protects from the sun, saves from dehydration and improves complexion. Needless to say, any additional ingredients will only enhance its positive effects on the skin of the face and body.

In addition to all the listed advantages, this natural remedy increases skin elasticity, promoting collagen production, improves its structure and enhances blood microcirculation.

In winter it protects from frost and wind, and in summer from harmful UV radiation.

Any face or body cream prepared with shea butter will become an indispensable beauty product in our cosmetic bag.

Briefly about the product

The savannahs of West Africa are considered the homeland and only growing environment of the shea tree, from which the cosmetic product is obtained. Many scientists tried to replant plants and create similar conditions, but they were not successful.

Shea butter has a rather dense structure in appearance, with a white or brownish tint. The color depends on the type of drug. There are two types of shea butter: unrefined and after additional processing (deodorized).

In cosmetology, it is customary to use a processed product, although it contains much fewer useful components than a raw product. Unrefined extract of brownish or greenish color, with delicate nutty notes.

Natural shea butter has gained enormous popularity and a lot of positive reviews from cosmetologists and patients. There are many recipes for maintaining beauty and perfect skin. They tell you how to use shea butter for lips, eyelids, face and body, to prepare various creams. Shea butter for the body and face can be applied even in its pure form - it is convenient and incredibly beneficial for the skin.

African shea butter is solid in structure, but there is a small peculiarity. Once you apply the product to the skin, it turns into a nourishing fluid mass suitable for self-massage.

How not to make a mistake when choosing: signs of a quality product

Shea butter is in high demand, so the market offers a wide selection of products. However, unscrupulous manufacturers can counterfeit the product or prepare low-quality oil.

Therefore, it is important to know the signs of quality shea butter:

• pleasant and warm aroma reminiscent of nuts;
• the shade can be white, beige or brownish;
• The consistency is firm and dense.

A spoiled product can be identified by its characteristic odor. It is quite sharp and has some similarities to the smell of household chemicals.

Composition and properties

• Natural shea butter consists of 80% organic fatty acids. This increases its protective and moisturizing properties. The oil is easy to apply, quickly absorbed and softens the epidermis.
• Linoleic, stearic, oleic and a number of other acids affect the regeneration process. They stimulate the appearance of new collagen fibers, which are important for maintaining elasticity and tone in adulthood. Phytosterols and triterpenes help smooth out wrinkles and prevent their deepening.
• African oil can be used for medicinal purposes. The content of triterpene alcohols provides anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties of the product. Apply some of the product to burns, abrasions, minor cuts or skin inflammations to speed up the healing process. In addition, the extract minimizes the appearance of residual marks and scars.
• The cosmetic product contains cinnamic acid. It is distinguished by its ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation; in summer its presence is extremely important.
• We must not forget about vitamins A, E, F, which retain moisture inside the cells and prevent drying out of the integument. These vitamins have a positive effect on the lipid balance of the epidermis and play an important role in normalizing metabolic processes.

Shea butter extract is a multifunctional cosmetic product that is beneficial for mature and sensitive skin. It is added to creams, homemade masks, and used as a lip balm, as the main weapon against the aging of the epidermis.

Benefits for the skin

Shea butter for the skin is nourishing, moisturizing and youthful for the face. It actively affects cells, restores structure and makes them work actively.

Walnut extract is an indispensable ingredient in home cosmetics:

• Provides gentle facial care;
• Eliminates wrinkles and early withering of the epidermis;
• Reduces the sensitivity of the integument;
• Relieves problematic acne and acne;
• Effectively protects cells from harmful bacteria and infections;
• In summer, it prevents the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• Perfectly moisturizes the epidermis and prevents flaking;
• Increases tone, turgor, tightens contours;
• Evens out the complexion, lightens age spots;
• Does not clog pores, guarantees oxygen supply to cells;
• Actively fights free radicals.

Shea butter for the face is a must-have in skin care after 40. It mercilessly fights aging and skin problems, prevents the deepening of wrinkles, the appearance of dryness and tightness. The product is easily mixed with cosmetic esters and has no contraindications.

Shea butter against acne

This substance gives a good effect when used on skin damaged by acne, pimples or acne. The natural properties of the oil not only soothe inflammation, but also reduce itching and improve the complexion. To prepare such a mask, you need to mix 5 grams of shea butter. with 7 gr. honey, melted in a steam bath.

Then add 12 drops of nut oil (ideally cashew) and no more than 5 drops of salicylate to this composition. It is better to apply the mask in the evening; the skin must first be cleansed of impurities and remnants of decorative cosmetics. After half an hour, the mass is washed off using a pre-prepared calendula decoction.

The best face creams

To be sure of the effectiveness, quality and naturalness of the cream, you do not need to study the certificates of a cosmetic company or experiment on yourself. The best cream, which many women have already liked and will solve problems with the epidermis without any problems, you can make yourself. We offer several recipes for miraculous creams that can outshine even expensive brands in the end result:

Moisturizing cream

Dry skin requires constant replenishment of moisture - you can’t do without a good moisturizer. Cream with African oil can ensure adequate fluid replenishment:

• 2 tsp shea fruit extract;
• 4 tbsp almond extract;
• 2 drops of lavender essential oil;
• 3 drops of chamomile oil infusion.

Melt the African butter in a sauna. Add remaining esters and oil ingredients. Keep stirring the mixture until it hardens completely. Apply the cream after sleep or in the evening. The skin will noticeably transform, become soft and tender.

Shea butter cream can be stored in the cold for 10 days. To do this, pour the still warm mixture into a glass jar from an old cream. This will make it convenient to use and won’t take up much space in the refrigerator.

Cream with lifting effect

The cream is excellent for mature skin prone to aging. It combines the best ingredients in rejuvenation. The effect will shock you with the firmness and elasticity of the epidermis. To prepare the product you will need:

• 2 tsp shea extract;
• 2 tsp macadamia oil;
• 1 tsp avocado oil;
• 1 tsp jojoba oil extract;
• 2 drops of rosemary ether;
• 2 drops of rose ether.

Melt the solid extract in a bathhouse, add oil ingredients. Enrich the mixture with plant esters, only the mass should be warm, not hot. Apply the cream to the face and décolleté area.

If the cream recipe contains ingredients that cause allergies or are not suitable for your skin type, then exclude them. For example, you can replace macadamia oil with argan oil. Read more about it here.

Nutritious cream

It’s easy to fill cells with nutritional components, invigorate and transform the epidermis at home with a honey-banana mask. Banana is an affordable source of “youth” vitamins, and honey is a whole storehouse of natural, beneficial microelements. You can’t do without the base – shea butter, which is famous for its rejuvenating abilities. Combine these ingredients in the following proportions:

• One banana;
• 1 tbsp nut extract;
• 1 tsp natural honey.

Peel the banana and mash it. Melt the shea butter in a sauna, add banana puree and honey. Cool the composition and apply to the face.

Cream with shea butter and banana quickly deteriorates, so it cannot be stored for a long time even in the refrigerator. Divide the recipe into several batches so that the product lasts for 2-3 days.

Wound healing ointment for chapped lips

In order to heal the smallest, but very painful wounds that form on the delicate skin of the lips, you can use the following ointment:

• melt 10-15 gr. shi;
• add the same amount of jojoba oil;
• stir and remove the container from the stove;

• pour 2 drops of lemon oil and at least 5 g. rose water;
• After mixing all the ingredients, transfer the mixture into a jar and regularly lubricate your lips with it.

Face masks and balms

Even a beginner in home cosmetology will not have any problems with how to use shea butter correctly. It is suitable for all skin types, for all ages, and is easily combined with rejuvenation products and cosmetic oil preparations. Prepared masks with shea butter and balms act delicately and do not cause irritation or redness of the skin.

Let's look at recipes for masks against wrinkles, aging, dryness and oiliness of the skin:

Anti-wrinkle mask

To visibly smooth out the skin and get rid of wrinkles without Botox injections, prepare a nourishing and rejuvenating mask. You will need:

• 3 tbsp. shea butter;
• 1 tbsp. coconut ether;
• 1 tsp starch;
• 2 capsules of liquid vitamin E;
• 4 drops of calendula ether;
• 2 drops of orange essential oil;
• 2 drops of lavender essential oil.

Melt the nut elixir until liquid, add oil preparations and esters. The mask is ready. Distribute the nutrient mixture evenly onto the epidermis. After 20 minutes, carefully rinse off the remaining mask with warm water.

Before using shea butter, cleanse your skin. Prepare it well so that the mask is better absorbed and the shea butter reveals its rejuvenating abilities to the fullest.

Express facial moisturizing

The following mask will tell you how to use shea butter as a “moisturizing cocktail” for the skin:

• 1 tsp shea butter;
• Lemon zest;
• 1 tsp oatmeal;
• 1 tsp walnut oil;
• Egg yolk.

Grind the lemon zest on a fine grater, take 1 tsp. Add shea butter melted in the bath. Stir in the remaining mask ingredients. Place the resulting mixture in a glass container for 30 minutes. To prevent the product from weathering, cover the top with plastic wrap. The mask is harmless, hypoallergenic, and can therefore be used every other day.

Nourishing mask

A nourishing composition of ingredients can banish fatigue, pale color and sagging skin from the face:

• 1 tsp shea butter;
• 2 tbsp. avocado;
• 1 tsp jojoba oil;
• 1 tsp natural honey.

Melt the nut extract in a bathhouse and mix with the mask ingredients. If the mixture is thick, dilute with a small amount of beaten yolk. You can replace exotic avocado with persimmon or banana pulp. Distribute the nourishing mixture onto the surface of your face. Relax your face for 20 minutes so the components are better absorbed. Complete the procedure with a basic face cream.

Lip balm

The following balm recipe will tell you how to use shea butter for lips:

• 5 g shea butter;
• 5 g natural beeswax;
• 10 ml grape seed oil.

Bring the beeswax to a liquid state (do not reduce the heat), add shea butter extract. Remove the mixture from the bath, add grape extract. Mix the composition, fill a lipstick case or a small container with it. Apply the balm to lips, chapped areas or rough elbows. The effectiveness of the product is so high that it can easily correct these shortcomings.

Mask for effective rejuvenation

It is difficult to maintain the tone and elasticity of the integument in adulthood. However, with shea butter this task is made several times easier. Perform this mask once a week to prolong the youth of your skin. You need these ingredients:

• 1 tsp shea butter;
• 1 tsp olive extract;
• Egg yolk.

Melt the shea butter extract in a bath until liquid, add the olive squeeze. Complete the nutritional composition with beaten yolk. Place the mixture on your face and hold for 20-25 minutes. Then wash your face with a warm herbal decoction. Read here which herbs to choose for mature skin.

To quickly soften the skin of the body and face, it is not necessary to come up with complex mask recipes. Add 1 tsp to any favorite mask. shea butter It will increase the effectiveness of the product several times.

Recommendations from oriental beauties

It was rare that anyone did not admire the luxurious curls of oriental beauties. How do they achieve this? One of the secrets is the unique Shea butter.

Take proper care of your hair, then your curls will also become delightfully shiny, elastic, and dryness and brittleness will disappear. Apply masks to damp hair, cover with film and a towel. Wash them off with warm water and shampoo. Restorative mixtures are used 2 times a week.

Tricks for caring for face and body

• The use of shea tree products in recipes for anti-aging masks and creams is not limited. You can use shea butter for the body as a balm after a bath, for massage treatments. It will perfectly moisturize the epidermis, restore elasticity and tone.
• Shea butter is ideal for eyelids in frosty weather. Before going outside, apply the product near your eyes and feel free to go for a walk. The protective properties of the drug will protect the sensitive area from drying out.
• Apply some African oil extract to your hair after shampooing. This will strengthen them, make them silky and beautiful.
• Shea butter is even used in cooking. Leading chefs add it when making chocolate.

Tanning Application

Shea butter can be used to obtain an even tan. An important feature of this product is to protect the skin from the harmful effects of harmful ultraviolet rays.

Shea butter functions:

• provides an even and beautiful tan;
• protects the epidermis from the sun's rays;
• prevents burns and redness from forming (thanks to the B vitamins and retinol it contains);
• eliminates increased dryness of the skin, which inevitably occurs when in a solarium or under the influence of sunlight.

Application of the product before sunbathing:

1. Be sure to exfoliate your body to exfoliate dead skin particles.
2. Apply the product in an even layer over the entire surface of the body.
3. After being in the sun, you need to take a shower and reapply oil to your body, which will soothe the skin and moisturize it.

Reviews

• Olga, 38 years old: Shea butter is a real salvation for dry skin. It moisturizes, nourishes and restores facial elasticity in a matter of time. I really like that you can apply it without the risk of irritation and allergies.
• Yulia, 29 years old: I have been using the extract for several years. I will say from my own experience that it is better to buy it at a pharmacy or at trusted outlets. The price is good, but the quality is sometimes poor. I prefer an unprocessed product in home cosmetics - it is devoid of chemicals and preservatives (unlike deodorized), so it will not cause allergies.
• Elvira, 39 years old: I use shea butter extract everywhere - as a main face cream, for roughness on the lips, against wrinkles, dryness, even against hair loss. The product is super! I recently ran out of massage lotion and replaced it with shea butter. The effect is magnificent. Now I use it constantly.

Cosmetologists' opinion

Experts do not recommend getting carried away with oils. After all, there is always a risk of an allergic reaction or the possibility of incorrect use of the product.

Shea has earned a good reputation among professionals, but it has some peculiarities.

Some cosmetologists claim that shea butter can negatively affect the condition of the skin.

Because of this, it is worth using shea or any other similar base product in the hope of making the skin more hydrated. The goal of natural products in this category is to retain existing moisture.