Discover all the benefits of Shea Butter! Soothing, hydrating, softening, protective, nourishing, regenerating and even healing... so many benefits in a single product! Whether for your skin (face and body) or hair, shea butter will meet all your needs... or almost! Identity card Name: BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER Origin: Burkina Faso Botanical family: Sapotaceae Parts used: Almonds from the shea nut Storage: Like any quality vegetable fat, butter can be stored for several months. To ensure optimal preservation, it should be stored away from light and heat in its closed packaging, in a cool, dry and ventilated place. Precautions: In case of contact with eyes, rinse for several minutes while holding the eyelids apart. If swallowed, rinse the mouth. Shea butter provides mild UV protection, but be careful: it is not a substitute for sunscreen. What is Shea Butter? Shea butter is used daily in African tradition, whether in cooking, as a daily medicine or for cosmetic use (pure or as an ingredient for making soaps for example). It is also a beauty secret recognized for hundreds of years which has something to satisfy you, as its virtues are numerous. Rich in moisturizing active ingredients and vitamins A, D, E and F, it is traditionally used by African women against dehydration due to the dry climate, but also to shine the hair by coating the hair shaft or to promote the healing of wounds. You can find it in different colors: ivory yellow, greenish yellow, beige, or even brownish. In addition to its solid but creamy texture, shea butter has a fairly strong natural odor. It is naturally pesticide-free, GMO-free, and gluten-free. History and Culture of Shea Butter Shea, which means "butter tree" in Wolof and "life" in Dioula, is a tree that grows in the savannahs of West Africa and measures between 10 and 15 meters high . It can live for 2 to 3 centuries. Shea butter is a substance derived from the fruits of this tree, which are composed of pulp and a nut. Shea butter has been rooted in African traditions for many years. Used from a young age, it is a true African treasure. A shea tree produces an average of 10 to 20 kg of fresh fruit per year. However, it takes 15 years for it to produce its first nuts (fruit), from which the kernels needed to make shea butter are extracted. It is only between 50 and 100 years of existence that the harvest becomes fruitful. As for butter production, it is the result of traditional know-how developed exclusively by women. Indeed, according to legend, a harvest carried out by men would render the shea tree infertile. How to get shea butter? THE CHOICE OF SHEA BUTTER EXTRACTION METHOD First, the kernels inside the shea nut are recovered. These kernels are washed and then dried. Three methods are currently used to extract the butter: - The traditional method: The almond is crushed, roasted and kneaded, then mixed in boiling water to remove impurities. The shea butter is then cooked for a long time to evaporate the water. The liquid butter thus obtained is filtered and then packaged. This produces artisanal shea butter as it has been used in Africa for decades. - Cold mechanical pressing of shea butter: Approved by organic certification bodies, this is the best method of extraction. The almonds are crushed and pressed. This does not allow the recovery of all the butter, but its quality is better and the properties are better preserved. - Solvent extraction of shea butter: This method is less respectful of the raw material. It is used to obtain higher yields. After the raw material has been crushed and heated to a high temperature, it is mixed with a solvent that will dissolve the butter. The shea butter obtained with this chemical process is of inferior quality. THE CHOICE BETWEEN REFINED OR UNREFINED SHEA BUTTER Shea butter can be used raw or refined. When it's called raw, it means it's virgin and unprocessed. It's yellow in color and has its original, quite strong odor. On the other hand, if it is refined, it means that it is neutralized. The purpose of refining is to whiten the butter, deodorize it, or even eliminate certain residues. There are currently two methods of refining shea butter: - Physical refining, approved by organic certification bodies: This refining method involves vacuum distillation of free fatty acids and vacuum deodorization by injecting water vapor. This type of refining does not alter the properties and benefits of shea butter. It simply modifies its color and odor to suit consumers who do not appreciate the strong odor and yellow color of raw shea. This also facilitates its integration into cosmetic product formulas. - Solvent refining: This refining process is chemical. It is the least recommended since it is not very respectful of the raw material and can even degrade its properties. Benefits of Shea Butter Which shea butter should I choose? The merits of raw shea butter are often praised, to the detriment of refined shea butter. However, if the refining is done organically, refined shea butter is just as effective as raw shea butter. The choice then isn't based on product quality, but rather on your taste. If the strong smell of shea butter doesn't bother you at all, then don't hesitate to buy it raw and take your senses on a journey. On the other hand, if it bothers you, don't see any harm in purchasing organic refined shea butter. You'll still benefit from the advantages and advantages of this magical product. In any case, our advice is to avoid shea butters extracted and refined by solvent. What makes shea butter so special? Shea butter is a true all-purpose balm. Nourishing and protective, it cares for skin and hair, in summer and winter. It softens, protects, and smooths. Shea butter is suitable for the entire family and can be used alone or with vegetable oils. In whipped cream, shea butter can meet all your needs (whipped cream for babies, nourishing hair care, body care for skin, etc.). It is very gentle and can be used by pregnant women, especially those who want to prevent the appearance of stretch marks. It is an essential beauty treasure to have at home every day. Uses Natural Cold Cream: In the morning, apply a small amount of shea butter to your body, especially on areas exposed to the outdoors. Its thick texture and high fat content will strengthen the skin's hydrolipidic film and protect it from drying out due to climatic aggressions. A moisturizing and restorative treatment, shea butter provides immediate comfort to very dry skin and prevents skin dehydration. In the evening, you can apply a small amount of shea butter to your feet and hands. Did you know? It's at night that the skin absorbs all the products applied to it most deeply. Shea butter on the body: Fight against “crocodile” skin Shea butter is particularly effective against eczema and psoriasis. It also soothes the effects of tightness and itching of the skin, one of the main causes of which is hard water. For incredibly soft and smooth skin, massage it in generously every day after showering or bathing, paying particular attention to rough areas. WAAM Secret: Add a small amount of shea butter to your bath and your children's bath. The butter will soften the water and coat the skin with a protective film. Shea butter on the chest: Firming treatment Excellent hypoallergenic firming balm to maintain breast firmness, shea butter can be applied generously to the bust morning and evening. Shea butter for muscles: Against muscle fatigue To decongest your muscles, soften the shea butter by rubbing it in the palm of your hand, coat it and then massage the painful areas with the oil obtained. WAAM Secret: If you use WAAM shea butter enriched with yuzu essential oil, it will quickly become indispensable for your massages. Indeed, this oil has incredible relaxing and revitalizing properties. Shea butter on the feet: Intense softening and repairing treatment Are your feet dry? Do you suffer from peeling heels and arches? A daily application of shea butter will give you beautiful feet! For an intense treatment, apply a generous amount of shea butter to your feet before going to bed, massage in, and leave them on overnight, covered with a pair of socks. Shea Butter on Lips: Effective Remedy for Chapped Lips During the winter, lips are often dry and/or chapped. To protect or repair them, apply shea butter regularly throughout the day. WAAM Secret: By applying shea butter to your lips before going to bed, you will maintain and regain soft, dead skin-free and perfectly hydrated lips. Shea butter for babies: Daily gentle care to protect their skin Shea butter is a wealth of benefits for the skin, especially that of babies. Indeed, the skin is thinner and therefore much more fragile. Shea butter therefore helps soften, moisturize, protect, and beautify their beautiful little skin. You can use it: When changing: It helps prevent diaper rash. It soothes and protects against redness and irritation. After bathing: After drying your baby's skin thoroughly, warm a small amount of shea butter between your palms and rub it all over your baby's body. Your baby's skin will be soft and deeply moisturized. Shea butter for shaving and hair removal: Soothes sensitized skin To soothe burning and irritation, apply shea butter generously to areas of your skin that have been damaged by shaving or other hair removal techniques. For both men and women, shea butter will soothe, protect, and repair your skin. Shea butter for tanning: UV protection Shea butter provides basic protection in case of short and indirect exposure to the sun; the presence of latex helps prevent certain sun allergies. Rich in vitamin E, shea butter produces a protective hydrolipidic film for the epidermis which helps preserve your tanned complexion but CAUTION: it is therefore not sufficient for tanning and does not replace a protective sunscreen. Shea butter as an anti-wrinkle: Reduces the effects of aging. Exceptionally rich in unsaponifiables, shea butter moisturizes and softens the upper layers of the epidermis. It provides essential vitamins to the skin for improved elasticity. Thanks to its protective action against skin dryness, it fights wrinkles and aging. It will thus replace your usual anti-wrinkle products. Shea butter against stretch marks: Prevents and reduces their appearance. To prevent the appearance of stretch marks as much as possible during pregnancy, it is essential to moisturize your skin daily and thoroughly. Shea butter will relieve itching and tightness, and preserve your skin's elasticity. Apply a generous layer of shea butter to sensitive areas (hips, buttocks, stomach, breasts) and massage thoroughly for maximum effectiveness. In case of weight loss or gain, also apply if stretch marks appear on the breasts, thighs, or buttocks. WAAM Secret: During your pregnancy, apply shea butter generously, morning and evening, for maximum effectiveness. Shea Butter for Dandruff: Anti-Dandruff Remedy Vitamin A, a molecule in the form of retinol in our bodies, keeps the scalp healthy and helps rebuild tissue. Shea butter therefore works against dandruff and flaking of the scalp. Apply shea butter directly to your scalp daily and massage it into your scalp. For optimal results, shea butter must be given time to penetrate: it can be used as a post-shampoo mask for maintenance or preventative care. A minimum of 20 minutes of application time is required. Shea Butter for Hair Hydration and Repair: Effective repair mask for very dry and damaged hair Shea butter is particularly recommended for curly, frizzy, or coily hair. It softens hair and allows sebum to circulate more freely along the hair shaft. Hair is deeply nourished, becoming more supple, stronger, and shinier. But be careful, straight hair is not left out! Shea butter also coats the hair, protecting it from daily damage and split ends. Shea butter as a heat protection solution: Protective treatment before blow-drying and using heating appliances Shea butter softens and coats the hair shaft while restoring the hair's protective lipid film. It strengthens the cohesion of the scales, which is severely disrupted when using heating appliances. WAAM Secret: Apply shea butter strand by strand for a soft, shiny result. Your blow-dry will be a breeze! Quality WAAM offers 100% natural, plant-based shea butters. Its shea butters are produced at the heart of a responsible cooperative. Indeed, the brand is deeply committed to combating poverty among women in rural areas. Made from nuts harvested in Mali, raw shea butter and pure shea butter enriched with yuzu oil are the fruits of the labor of the Zantiébougou Shea Butter Producers' Cooperative, which brings together more than a thousand women from 37 villages, committed to the survival of their ancestral craft. The goal is to improve their environment and living conditions, and in particular to try to reduce poverty. This cooperative, certified fair trade by the Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO) , has set itself the primary mission of improving the environment and living conditions of its members through the harmonious exploitation of natural resources, mainly shea butter. In order to meet everyone's desires, the range is therefore made up of 3 Shea butters: - Raw shea butter : With the true scent of shea butter, this butter will take you on a journey! - Raw shea butter enriched with yuzu oil : A scent that will make you addicted! This butter combines the benefits of shea with a delicious citrus scent. - Deodorized organic shea butter : Can't stand products with odors? Don't worry, we've thought of you too! To suit everyone's tastes, WAAM has decided to also offer a third shea butter, sourced from Burkina Faso. Because we care about the quality of our products, we opted for organic refining, ECOCERT certified. The free fatty acids in raw butter are then distilled and deodorized using steam. A natural refining process that preserves its properties and benefits.
