Ten Beneficial Qualities Of African Shea Oil

For protection and regeneration of the skin, one of the best "oils" you can possibly use is African Shea Oil. I put the word "oils" in quotes because although it is considered to be an oil, it doesn't carry with it the oiliness you would anticipate from an oil that you apply to your skin. The term "oil" may deter some people from using it to acquire smoother healthier skin because they imagine being left with a greasy feeling after applying it. Don't let that keep you from using African Shea Oil. This "oil" effectively soaks into your skin quickly, leaving a lasting freshness and smooth feeling, without the oiliness.

African Shea Oil comes from the seeds within the nut of the Karite (kar-ree-tay) tree, which grows in West Africa. These long living trees don't even start making their first nut pods until they reach the age of about 25 years old and can live up to 300 years. The nut is edible and contains one to 3 seeds within its thin brittle hull.

Shea Oil is used for many purposes in African culture from therapy for colds and flu to cooking to softening cracks in feet brought on by the dry Sahara desert to making candles. It's also used on babies to protect their skin from the environment.

Here are 10 main reasons to use African Shea Oil -

1. It contains high levels of vitamins A, E and F. Vitamin F is essential for the repair and creation of living tissue in our bodies.

2. Since it is hypoallergenic, it's ideal for sensitive skin. It is also a great lotion for babies with their sensitive skin.

3. It tightens up sagging skin by regenerating the skin cells.

4. It can help every type of dry dermatitis from simple dryness to cracks, rashes and psoriasis.

5. Bug bite reactions, sensitivities, allergies, sunburns, etc. can be helped by applying African Shea Oil.

6. It is also great for moisturizing your hair. If you have dry, brittle hair from sun exposure or perms, applying a small amount of Shea Oil to your scalp and hair will revitalize, soften and moisturize both your scalp and hair. It won't block hair shafts or clog pores as oils with petroleum additives will.

7. Shea Oil is also deep penetrating and soothing to arthritic joints and sore muscles.

8. It may also cause scar tissue and stretch marks to fade if used on a daily basis, especially if started early in the scarring process.

9. It's wonderful as an oil used by massage therapists, since it allows a smooth gliding surface for hands manipulating the skin and has deep penetrating healing properties.

10. It will help prevent bed sores in the elderly or anyone confined to a bed for a long period of time and keep their skin smooth and moisturized .

African Shea Oil differs from other natural oils in that it has not only a high percentage of moisturizing ability, but also has an exceptionally large percentage of important healing vitamins and nutrients. Other seed and nut oils, although high in moisture content, usually only have about 1% of these significant healing properties. This high percentage is why it is very beneficial in healing skin problems if used regularly.

If you are looking for a good African Shea Oil for your skin, be sure to use a high quality unrefined product. If it has been bleached, processed and deodorized through high heat refinement or has aged it loses its ability to heal although it is still a great moisturizer.