Shea nuts have a 60-70 % fat content which is extracted by mechanic procedures. This process results in a vegetable fat called shea butter. The advantage is that such cold process keeps A, E and D vitamin content of the shea butter and it does not contain residues of the substances used in chemical extraction process. The shea butter has a creamy consistency. The color of the unrefined butter may vary. It may come in different shades of pale yellow, Ivory, beige or green. The refined butter is as white as snow. Shea butter may be confused with river butter which has a strong yellow color. This is an African butter also found in USA. The healing properties of Shea butter are due to the presence of acids and phytosterols such as oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic acid. It contains alcohols and sterols with anti-inflammatory action and kariten, a substance with emollient properties. When kariten comes in contact with alkaline substances (e.g. perspiration) it doesn't turn into soap, enabling the skin cells to produce more collagen and elastin and favoring the persistence and penetration of active ingredients into the dermis and epidermis. These properties give it the potential to cure skin diseases. Regenerative and reparative properties are due vitamins A, D and E. Shea butter also increases resistance of the cell membrane through the intake of essential fatty acids. Alantoin present in shea butter has a reparative action on chapped hands and lips.
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