Cocoa and Shea butter are two of the best emollients around.  If you suffer from dry skin, like so many seem to do, you can’t go wrong with either one!  Moisture is moisture, I say, so how do you choose?  To make an educated decision, you have to look at the qualities of both and decide for yourself.  Some companies even combine the two in a lotion or body wash, for the best of both worlds.  In my estimation, the two are interchangable and equally moisturizing.  I have made lotions from both, choosing the shea butter for myself… but we shall get to that later.

Skin conditioning is of utmost priority for me.  I suffer from some of the worst dry skin in the

winter, even suffering from it in the summer, especially as I get "older."   Most people are open to using anything that will moisturize and keep them looking young.  I know from experience that both cocoa and shea butter are listed in many lotions and body washes.  I like to couple them in body wash with any oatmeal type ingredient.

In the past, I have bought every kind of moisurizing butter available and in every scent imaginable:  mango, grapefruit, lime and coconut, banana, apple pie, etc.  Obviously the scent has nothing whatsoever to do with its ability to soften your skin.  The moisturizing elements within the body lotion or body butter are your key to longer lasting beauty and youthfulness.

I am going to outline here the history and uses of both cocoa and shea butter.  You can decide for yourself

COCOA BUTTER

Cocoa butter is the natural fat extracted from the cacao bean from South America and West Africa.  It has to be grown around the equator; no other location will do. Cocoa butter is used to make toiletries, skin care products, cocoa powder and chocolate. Cocoa butter has a delicious subdued chocolate odor, and has natural antioxidants that prevent products containing it from going bad, thus increasing their shelf life for up to two years. It is a favorite in the production of soaps, cosmetics and skincare products. Its emollient properties and its smooth texture make it a perfect ingredient for body butter and lotions.  Cocoa butter has been around for centuries. Known as the "ultimate moisturizer," cocoa butter absorbs into the skin with ease due to its body temperature melting point.

The cocoa butter creates a shield against the environment, and it is very helpful in the alleviating of psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. It works by holding back the production of immuno globulin which is known to aggravate and accelerate the above mentioned conditions.

This butter will soothe the skin, relieve stress, and help you relax.  It is useful for pregnant women, when used in regular applications, as a formula to help prevent, and ward off stretch marks. The butter has a very nice smell also. It has been said that cocoa butter may also help to ease arthritis and even help to prevent heart disease. Wonderful claims I must say. I really had no idea just how good this butter was for my skin and body. I just enjoyed using it.

SHEA BUTTER

The benefits of Shea Butter have been enjoyed for centuries. Women in Africa have been using shea butter to smooth their skin and hair far longer than their Western counterparts.  Shea butter has tremendous benefits for hair and skin. It comes from the tropics of Africa from the nut of the Karite tree, where the fatty acids are extracted from the the nut container. The quality of the irremovable fatty acid is far more superior to that of the cocoa butter, but unfortunately it can take up to thirty years for a crop to yield the right quality of this fatty acid. It’s a wonder they can actually bring it to us at a reasonable price bearing all this in mind.  The women of Africa call it "women’s gold" as many on the continent depend on it for their livelihoods.

Shea butter is known especially for its cosmetic properties as a moisturizer and emollient. It is also a known anti-inflammatory agent, although we make no medical claims here! Shea butter is reported by many as being effective at treating the following conditions: fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, severely dry skin, blemishes, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretchmarks, wrinkles, and in lessening the irritation of psoriasis.

Shea butter provides natural ultraviolet sun protection, although the level of protection is extremely variable, ranging from none at all to approximately SPF 6. Shea butter absorbs rapidly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling.  Africans have been enjoying the natural properties of Shea butter for centuries, and they have used it on their hair as a conditioner, and also on their skin for protection against the sun, and the harsh elements of their climate.

Shea butter is a luxurious moisturizer, which leaves the skin feeling silky soft. It works by stimulating the skin’s renewal process, thus revealing a more youthful, fresh skin. It is non greasy, and it is used in many expensive skin products. It is also a wonderful, natural conditioner that makes the hair vibrant, while also protecting it from dryness and preventing split ends. It is also the base of many essential oils.  Shea butter works by maintaining the natural oils in our skin, and it can also activate collagen production.

IN CONCLUSION

To wrap up our discussion, I have to say, given the info here, I must profess a penchant, a fondness for shea butter.  Given its natural SPF, healing qualities and richness of moisture, it seems only natural to choose it over cocoa butter.  Both leave you feeling silky soft… and while both are superior moisturizers and healing agents (again no medical claims here!), one can’t go wrong with shea butter!

Please check out our extra rich body butter, goat milk lotions and goat milk soaps with SHEA butter (of course!)  http://neeneessoapshop.etsy.com  or www.NeeNeesSoapShop.com   THANKS!

1 John 4:7

About the Author

We are located in the Piney Woods of East Texas. We are a small, locally owned and operated home business. Our products are all from the finest quality ingredients and many are made when you order them! All our lotions and soaps are handmade with fresh goat’s milk and the finest quality vegetable oils. God Bless You!

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Cocoa Or Shea Butter? What’S The Difference?

Shea Butter is the oil from the seed of naturally grown wild shea trees scattered throughout the wooded savanna of West and Central Africa.  Shea Butter has been used for centuries in Africa as a decongestant, an anti-inflammatory for sprains and arthritis, healing cream, lotion for hair and skin care, and cooking oil.  Shea Butter is primarily sold in two forms: raw and refined.  Raw butter uses are generally limited due to the content of free fatty acids which gives bad taste, strong color and odor.  Refined shea butters are used in cosmetics, soaps and cooking.  The refining procedure enhances the recovery of the buttery fatty acids and removes the earthy aroma and the yellow color.  The refined grade of Shea Butter is deodorized and filtered using natural clays to render a butter which is nearly white and odorless, better suited for use in high end cosmetics and skin care products.

Shea Butter melts and absorbs at skin temperatures, making it ideal for skin creams,

moisturizers, emollients, lotions, lip and body balms and soaps.  It has a smooth, creamy texture with no graininess.  Shea Butter is also known as an anti-inflammatory agent.  It is effective in treating: severely dry skin, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, fading scars, wrinkles, acne, blemishes, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretch marks, sunburn, small skin wounds, skin allergies, muscle fatigue, aches and tension.  Shea Butter provides natural UV sun protection, approximately SPF 6.  Shea Butter also enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation.  The protective, anti-aging and moisturizing properties of Shea Butter come from the high natural vitamin A and vitamin E content and its unique fatty acid profile.

Complete Natural Blends

www.completenaturalblends.com

About the Author

Kathy Kafka is the owner of Complete Natural Blends, a company that offers natural products for natural health.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Shea Butter

The stuff from which shea butter soaps are made is not actually butter – though it can be used like butter. However, the main ingredient in handmade shea butter soap is actually a kind of vegetable fat derived from the fruit of a tree native to Africa. When shea is used for the manufacture of natural shea butter soap, manufacturers use plant extract from exotic fruits and floral essences to create a total sensual experience – for the nose, the eyes and skin.

The Shea Tree

The main ingredient in shea butter bar soap is imported from the African savannah, where the shea (pronounced “shay”) tree grows. This ingredient, the basis of high quality shea butter soaps, is extracted from the seeds that are found inside the fruit of this tree. The name comes from a language spoken in this region of Africa, known as Bamana. The tree itself is uniquely adapted for the hot, dry climate of the savannah south of the Sahara desert. The fruit of this tree, actually a drupe similar to other stone fruits such as avocado, olive, peach and cherry, has a tart-tasting pulp. The seed, or pit at the center is where the primary

ingredient of handmade shea butter soap is found.

Of course, there are many ways in which the peoples of the African grasslands use natural shea butter; soap is only one of them. Traditional African healers use shea to treat many different skin conditions ranging from minor rashes to massive scarring. Shea is an excellent moisturizer and by itself, can even be used as a sun bloc (though the use of handmade shea butter soap as a sun bloc is not advisable.)

In addition, shea butter can be eaten or used in cooking, being rich in nutrients. (Again, it is not a good idea to try and eat  natural shea butter soap, however.)

More About Handmade Shea Butter Bar Soap

Shea butter soaps are manufactured today using traditional methods. The process starts out with a base of coconut and palm oils, then adds extracts from exotic fruits and natural floral essences. The best shea butter bar soap is of course made from high-quality shea butter from Mali, Nigeria and other countries under fair trade agreements insuring that those who harvest it make a decent living. This shea butter bar soap is allowed to cure in the tropical air before it is packaged and shipped to customers who have learned to enjoy all the benefits that shea butter soaps have to offer.

About the Author

Wayne Hemrick writes about–shea butter soaps

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – The Health Benefits Of Shea Butter Soaps

Gentlemen, does your face feel wonderfully clean and fresh after a close shave, or do you pick up your razor dreading the soreness and unsightly rashes it might cause?

Ladies, do you wish you could have silky smooth legs and underarms but find shaving leaves your skin dry and itchy?

Shaving is the quickest and easiest way of removing hair from any part of the body, but scraping your skin with a sharp blade is not the kindest way to treat it! Shaving removes the very thin but protective top keratin layer of the skin along with the unwanted hairs. The resulting damage can lead to irritation, infections of the hair follicles, razor bumps caused by in-growing hairs, dryness or excessive oiliness. And, once you have a skin problem, further shaving will only make it worse.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of shaving while protecting, and even improving, the

condition of your skin, try using pure, Unrefined Shea Butter. This rich, mild moisturiser with remarkable healing properties can make shaving a pleasure rather than a painful chore.

Obtained from the seeds of the African Shea or Karite tree, Shea butter contains a unique blend of essential fatty acids, Vitamins A and E, and natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. On its own, or blended with other compatible skincare ingredients, Unrefined Shea Butter is suitable for all skin types and can be used in a number of ways:

• Before shaving: to soften the skin and hair in preparation for an easy shave.
• During shaving: acts as a lubricant, helping the razor to glide smoothly over the skin.
• After shaving: to soothe and promote the healing of any irritated or damaged skin, and leave it feeling and looking smooth and supple.
• Between shaves: once you’ve experienced the effect Shea Butter can have on your skin you will want to make it a part of your everyday skincare routine. And you don’t have to confine it to the areas you shave. Try using it from your scalp to your toes!

Avoid refined Shea Butter; it is extracted with the use of solvents and heat and can contain chemical residues. It also has greatly reduced levels of the beneficial ingredients your skin needs.

To get the best possible results from your natural after shave balm, always choose Unrefined Shea Butter which has no added artificial ingredients and has been produced by traditional methods to preserve the maximum amount of its therapeutic qualities.

About the Author

Eileen Mngumi is the founder of Tausi Signature; a UK-based cottage industry producer of Shea Butter skin care products which promotes fair trade values. Shea Butter has amazing natural protective and skin healing properties which take it realms beyond any other moisturising product. Tausi Signature products use pure, unrefined East African Shea Butter; much softer and more delicately scented than its West African counterpart. For more information on Tausi Signature products visit http://www.tausisignature.com.

(ArticlesBase SC #1609493)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – How to banish Shave Burn with Shea Butter

Who should be using Shea butter? Everyone! Whether you have white skin, black skin, brown skin, yellow skin, or purple skin this product is for you. Down below are three areas where you can benefit from it:

1. Shea Butter for your Face

The face is the main beneficiary of the daily use of the product. Massage your face using a small portion of the butter. Pay attention to the lower part of the nose, to the corner of your lips, ears and finally your forehead. After shaving, apply it again to avoid bumps.

2. Shea Butter for your Hair

A person with beautiful hair can enhance beauty tremendously. To rejuvenate your hair, massage a generous amount of African Shea butter on your scalp and in your hair.

Not only does it act as a good moisturizer for your scalp after you have washed your hair; it improves hair texture and has even been shown to stimulate hair growth.

3. Shea Butter for your Body

Shea butter penetrates deep into the skin to provide a lasting protection against the cold & the sun. Because of its softness followed by its high nonsaponifiable

fraction,it is excellent for a body massage.

Sun & Summer: Apply it in the evening to regain freshness. Refer to the treatment mentioned for your hair which gets dry in the summer. Do not hesitate to oil hair before swimming and to maintain this treatment after the season is over. Your skin suffers during the whole summer.

Regular use of it in addition to sun screen products, before and after sun exposition, leaves you with tanned skin and avoids peeling. It is no longer popular for men to have lined skin.

Use Shea butter after shaving for a healthy and younger feeling skin. Gentlemen, at least once a week, apply a generous amount from head to foot, with special care for joint (elbows and knees), toes, heels and nails.

Sport and Shea Butter: Shea butter is recommended for people who are active in sports. It has been used by African for centuries to relieve muscles tension and stress. Before an effort Shea butter accelerates warm-ups.

Afterwards it helps drain toxins from sore muscles for a faster recovery. If you do experience pain due to strenuous activity such as running, fighting, or heavy lifting, apply a generous amount of the butter and rub in a circular motion to the area that is under pain. Wet a towel in warm water; squeeze the towel until the towel is lightly damp. Gently press the towel over the affected area.

This allows the Shea butter to easily absorb into the skin to perform its job. Within a moment of time, the pain should settle down. Do not throw away your Bengay or painkillers just yet.

If you find that the butter does not do anything to ease the pain, you can always go back to what you were using before.

What an amazing product. If you are not convinced by the benefits listed above, that is fine; there are more benefits associated with this amazing product that apply to everybody, even yourself.

About the Author

Joseph Constant is the founder of A.R. Skincare, a company devoted to community awareness of Premium Grade Shea butter. Please visit http://www.premium-grade-sheabutter.com/Benefits.html to discover what benefits from using the highest quality of this great product.

(ArticlesBase SC #119707)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Who Should Use Shea Butter?