We love winter because it marks a time of nesting and hibernation. But months spent indoors exposed to dry and artificial heat in combination with the cold outside air takes its toll on us, mentally and physically. All you have to do is to look closely at your skin to see how winter affects you.
During these cold winter months, no part of our body is affected more than our skin. From dry hands to chapped lips and elbows, keeping your skin nourished and moisturized is a winter essential.
But rather than having one cream for your body, another for your hands and yet another for your feet, why not simplify your beauty routine and rely on one product that can be used on your whole body? Pure unrefined shea butter is a complete beauty product in itself. Its versatility makes it a necessary staple for anyone who is exposed to the dry and frigid winter temperatures.
Shea Butter 101
Unrefined shea butter is one of the best antidotes for dry skin. Shea nuts are full of nutrients and oils that penetrate deeply into the skin leaving it moisturized and hydrated. Shea butter is used for many ailments. It softens dry skin, smoothes parched hair, balances out skin discolorations, and helps to heal scrapes and scratches. Even when winter is over, you will still be reaching for your shea butter as a health and beauty remedy.
Smooth Your Skin
While shea butter is used in scores of beauty and health products, pure unscented shea butter contains no other artificial ingredients or fragrances. One particular product is African Alaffia shea butter. This fair-trade shea butter has been handcrafted from wild harvested shea nuts by the woman of Togo, Africa using indigenous techniques that have been used for generations. Even though it’s unscented, it still retains a very mild nutty scent from the shea nuts that were used to make this creamy salve. Spread it on your legs, rub it into your heels, and even smooth it over your hair. The uses are endless.
Protect Your Lips
If you feel that you’re constantly applying chapstick and lip gloss to your chapped lips, you can even find shea butter in a lip balm. Containing the same 100% pure and unrefined shea butter, this African lip balm comes in two kinds: cocoa butter and red palm. Sweet almond oil, virgin coconut oil, and cocoa butter are also added to leave your lips feeling healed, moisturized and smooth. Plus the red palm is flavored with tangerine and clove oils that provide a subtle orange tint to your lips.
Preserving Your Shea Butter
Remember that a little dime-sized amount of shea butter goes a long way. Store your shea butter in a cool, dry and dark place so that it retains its qualities and freshness.
Here is an informative article to learn more about Alaffia, the fair-trade cooperative in Togo, Africa who makes shea butter skin care products with earth-friendly practices that are steeped in tradition.
- Heather Ashare, MPH