Of all the body butters on the market, shea butter is one of the most popular. That said, not everyone has heard of it. And even if they have, they may not be familiar with the finer aspects of shea butter. For example – did you know that shea butter is available in both ivory and yellow? The following are some of the more common questions regarding shea butter, and their answers.
Can I Use A Microwave To Soften Shea Butter?
Many people, when making their own butters by combining butters and essential oils, use a double boiler. Not everyone owns one, however, or even wants to bother with it if they did. You should be fine microwaving your butters, as long as you take care not to overdo it. Better to have to add a couple of seconds than to have a catastrophe on your hands from overheating.
How Should Shea Butter Be Stored?
It is best to store both essential oils and butters in a cool, dry place, and in a sealed container. Some people actually store their shea butter in the fridge. This is just fine as long as you realize that your butters will react to the frigid temperature much like the butter you put on your table. It will be very firm so may take a bit longer to soften than if you simply kept it “cool”.
Does Shea Butter Have A Shelf Life?
If you store your shea butter correctly (see question above), it should last approximately one year.
What Does “Raw” Shea Butter Mean?
For our purposes, “unrefined” and “raw” are interchangeable. Unrefined shea butter has not been processed with any chemicals. It may or may not have been filtered through cheesecloth (no other straining methods, however), as long as the quality of the butter is unaffected. When shea butter is completely unfiltered, some flecks may be seen in the butter itself.
What Are The Benefits Of Shea Butter For Your Skin?
If reading this aloud, you’re going to need to take a big breath. Ready? Shea butter can, for many individuals, relieve symptoms of certain skin allergies, dermatitis, eczema, excessive dryness, and more. The essential vitamins contained within moisturize, smooth, soften, and rejuvenate skin like few other products in the same general classification. It also, however, is cherished by many for its anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it an amazing treatment for those suffering from arthritis pain and swelling.
Where Does Shea Butter Come From?
Shea butter is extracted from African Shea Tree nuts. It is far superior to other vegetable butters, (even cocoa butter!), due to its rich amounts of fatty acid. The properties in shea butter also make it ideal as a healing application. It helps generate new skin cells and can assist in protecting skin from further damage.
Plant Guru has both ivory and yellow unrefined shea butters. We also have an extensive inventory of other high-quality, affordable butters, essential oils, carrier oils, waxes, and more. Make sure you’re ready for the holidays by shopping with us today!