Is Shea Butter Good For Eczema Relief?
Plant-based ingredients provide powerful nutrition for skin. One such ingredient is shea butter, which is especially good for sensitive skin.
What is Shea Butter?
Butyrospermum parkii , otherwise known as African Shea butter, is a beneficial product that can be used for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It comes from a plant fat that is derived from shea tree nuts. The butter consists of oleic and stearic acids, palmitin, and arachidic acids. Allantoin, as well as Vitamins D, E, and A are also found in the compound. It is often compared to the antioxidants found in green tea for its anti-aging properties.Raw vs. Refined Shea Butter
Refined shea butter is produced by using high heat that destroys some of the compounds, vitamins and other beneficial properties. Sometimes chemicals are added for fragrance or to replace natural components that are lost during the processing.
Raw shea butter is processed naturally and retains its beneficial components that are wonderful for nourishing the skin. It has a thicker, sometimes chunky texture that melts quickly when applied to the skin. Raw shea butter, such as the shea butter used in Abby Rose Soothe-X Balm, retains its natural scent giving the balm a pleasant, earthy aroma. You may also notice a slight graininess to the Soothe-X Balm that can occur over time as shea butter is prone to crystallizing due to temperature fluctuations. The balm is still perfectly safe and effective to use and the graininess will disappear quickly once massaged into the skin.
Benefits of Shea Butter
Shea butter can benefit the skin similarly to Sunflower oil, which is often used to treat eczema. Due to its thick, emollient properties, it can be used to provide a natural protective barrier that helps guard against harmful elements and reduce moisture loss.
Keeping the skin properly moisturized helps maintain a healthy skin barrier which is crucial to prevention of bacteria and allergens penetrating the skin. Additionally, when the skin barrier is disrupted, conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, can present themselves.
With the moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and protective actions provided by shea butter, the natural skin barrier can function better. Products, such as those in the Abby Rose Soothe X™ Collection, contain raw shea butter, which have been specifically added to help soothe, moisturize, nourish, and protect the skin.
How to Use Shea Butter for Eczema Relief
For best results, after a bath or shower while the skin is still slightly damp, skin care products that contain raw shea butter should be applied. This will help increase the skin's moisture retention while adding a protective layer over the skin. For those with extra dry skin, the shea butter-rich moisturizer may need to be applied more than once a day.
Shea butter can also penetrate the skin and enrich the deeper layers. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help provide rapid soothing relief from the burning and itching of eczema and can help prevent the penetration of those elements that may trigger flare-ups.
Soothe-X™ Balm by Abby Rose is a dermatologist recommended balm that contains both raw shea butter and sunflower oil for double skin protection. It has been clinically tested and awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Approval™ . The Soothe-X™ Balm is a steroid-free, fragrance-free moisturizer that does not contain any artificial ingredients or preservatives. The balm is safe for all ages and skin types, including babies and the most sensitive skin.
