Shea butter comes from the nuts of the African shea tree and has been used for centuries to moisturize skin and hair. But it offers more than just hydration - the vitamins and fatty acids in shea make it incredibly nourishing with a variety of beauty and health benefits.

Here are 20 reasons you should consider incorporating shea butter into your routine:

• Deeply Moisturizes Dry Skin: The high fatty acid content in shea butter penetrates deeply to moisturize skin while also enhancing skin elasticity.
  
  
• Soothes Skin Conditions Like Eczema: The anti-inflammatory and emollient properties of shea butter calm irritated skin caused by conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
  
  
• Reduces Acne: Shea contains oleic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and swelling. It also moisturizes without clogging pores.
  
  
• Minimizes Appearance of Stretch Marks: The vitamins A and E in shea improve skin elasticity and tone while moisturizing to diminish stretch marks.
  
  
• Evens Skin Tone: Shea is renowned for fading dark spots and evening skin tone thanks to antioxidant vitamins A and E.
  
  
• Provides Anti-Aging Effects: Antioxidants like vitamin E fight free radicals to prevent premature aging. Its fatty acids also boost collagen production.
  
  
• Protects Skin from UV Rays: Shea contains cinnamic acid that acts as a natural sunscreen by absorbing UV rays to protect skin from sun damage.
  
  
• Reduces Razor Irritation: The moisturizing oils in shea create a smooth barrier between skin and razors, preventing bumps and irritation.
  
  
• Soothes Wind and Cold Weather Damage: Shea deeply nourishes chapped, dry skin caused by cold, dry air to make it supple and moisturized.
  
  
• Prevents Peeling and Cracking of Lips: The rich fats lock in moisture to heal, protect and smooth chapped lips.
  
  
• Softens Cuticles: Shea keeps nail cuticles flexible and hydrated so they don’t crack, split or become painful.
  
  
• Soothes Muscle Aches and Pain: Natural anti-inflammatory agents reduce muscle soreness and joint pain when shea is applied topically.
  
  
• Heals Damaged Hair: As a deep conditioner, shea butter coats each strand to reinforce hair health, mend split ends and control frizz.
  
  
• Prevents Heat Damage Styling: Shea’s fatty acids create a protective barrier from hot tools to minimize breakage and dryness.
  
  
• Adds Shine and Luster to Hair: The vitamins A and E keep hair supple and nourished so it reflects light better for increased shine.
  
  
• Stimulates Hair Growth: Massaging shea butter into the scalp improves blood flow and circulation to follicles, promoting growth.
  
  
• Soothes Dandruff: The vitamins and fatty acids nourish and moisturize the scalp to prevent dryness and itching that causes dandruff.
  
  
• Treats Dry, Itchy Scalp: Shea hydrates the scalp while reducing inflammation and skin cell turnover to alleviate dry, irritated scalps.
  
  
• Prevents Frizz and Flyaways: Shea coats hair to lock in moisture and seal the cuticle down so hair stays sleek and frizz-free.
  
  
• Protects Hair from Environmental Damage: UV rays, pollutants and harsh weather all degrade hair health, but shea forms a protective layer to minimize damage.

With incredible moisturizing ability plus vitamins A, E and F, shea butter is mother nature’s gift for rejuvenating beauty and health. Add this multi-tasking ingredient into your self-care routine to reap all the amazing benefits!