Slather Me Up In Shea Butter Please!

Hello Bloggergents and Bloggerettes!

I don't know about you all, but colder temps leave my skin pretty dry. I truly don't dig having dry skin. So, I was so excited to get a much needed package in the mail this week. The answer to all my dry skin problems...

SHEA BUTTER!!

I got this package of West African Shea Butter from Sheabutterhut.com. So far I am very happy with this product. I put it on and immediately felt relief from that dry icky feeling. Oh yes, that made me smile!! Now, don't get me wrong..I'm not turning my back on my coconut oil (I still love you good ol' coconut oil). I'm just adding a new friend to the all natural moisturizing mix!! Shipping was super fast, too!  Shea butter is a must for dry skin times of the year, for sure, as well as any other times of the year, in my humble opinion.  Plus, it's all natural with no nasty chemicals, which is a major plus in my book!!

A pound of goodness that will live happily with my skin and hair

Doesn't look too creamy...oh but it melts and is wonderful!

Simply rub in your hands and apply to your skin and/or hair

Are you familiar with shea butter? Shea butter is all natural 100% raw, unrefined, plant fat-based cream (make sure that you are buying it raw and unrefined to keep the nutrients all in tact).  It contains vitamins A, E, and F, as well as unsaponifiables which have been reported for their healing magic.

Seriously, the first time I had heard of shea butter was from a woman in her 50's who had sincerely considered having Botox done to cut down on some of the wrinkles she was noticing. She had mentioned this to her husband who discouraged her from it and said that since she had been using shea butter many of her wrinkles had left her skin. She used to have lines above her lips, which looks similar to those caused by years of smoking (which she did not). All of those wrinkles disappeared with continuous use of the shea butter.

Okay, I'm sold..I believe in taking care of your body's largest organ..the skin. I also believe that what goes on the outside of the skin makes its way into the body somehow, which makes me think twice before I slather something on my skin. This has been a gradual choice of action for me..years ago, I never thought twice about what makeup I used or what lotions/moisturizers I put on my skin.  I like to keep things much more natural and as chemical free as possible. You live and learn,right...?

Some of the claimed benefits of shea butter:

• Natural SPF 20 (from naturally-occurring  cinnamic acid) 
• Chemical free insect repellant
• Helps restore elasticity of the skin
• A natural diaper rash cream
• Evens skin tone
• Prevents stretch marks during pregnancy
• Skin moisturizer
• Relieves dry skin, dry scalp, peeling skin, Eczema, and Psoriasis
• May lesson or diminish blemishes (like age spots and scarring)
• May be used as shaving cream (to avoid irritation)
• Natural wind and sun protectant

Let me also mention, as I was thrilled to find out...it doesn't clog pores, which is lovely!

Anyone ever try shea butter? Love it? Hate it? Where do you get your shea butter, if you do use it?

Have a wonderful, naturally smooth weekend. ;-)