We could all rattle off a list of things that are good for you, but when it comes to explaining why those things are good I’m sure there would be crickets. Shea butter was one of those common knowledge good for you things on my list. And since willful ignorance is never an excuse, I decided to educate myself on the benefits of shea butter. However in full transparency, this quest to learn more about shea butter benefits came from me looking for a remedy for my dry lips. Dry lips in the winter I can explain, but there’s no excuse for dry lips year round. But learning is learning no matter the path, so here we are. And since shea butter is a naturally sourced ingredient, intuitively clean beauty makeup brands would set a great standard. This recommended range of clean lip products has you covered for all your makeup wants, while providing the shea butter benefits that you need.
WHAT EXACTLY IS SHEA BUTTER?
Shea butter gets its name because of its thick smooth texture, but it is actually a fatty solid oil derived from the nut of a fruit. Naturally found in about 21 African countries, it comes from the fruit of the Shea tree. Once you peel back the thin pulp of the fruit, inside is a nut that goes through a multi-layered process. Thus the commercialization of shea butter has created a mass and lucrative labor industry for women in Africa. In an unrighteous simplification, the nut is boiled and cracked open, roasted and ground, mixed in water, and finally hand separated and left to cool and harden. The final result is an emollient (which moisturizes, softens, and soothes your skin) that is rich in vitamins and more. The benefits of shea butter are seemingly endless.
THE KEY BENEFITS OF SHEA BUTTER FOR YOUR SKIN
Most notably, shea butter is intensely moisturizing. And it penetrates your skin quickly to nourish and maintain its health. Shea butter can repair, smooth, relieve, and prevent dry skin. And since it’s non-comedogenic you don’t have to worry about shea butter clogging your pores. Also shea butter is friendly to sensitive skin and works for almost everyone, excluding those with tree nut allergies. Additionally shea butter works well in conjunction with other oils, like cocoa butter. And the healing properties of shea butter don’t just stop with your skin. It can be a superstar in your hair care routine and diet as well. These endless benefits of shea butter lie in the composition of its nutrients:
- Vitamin-E: moisturizes your skin and strengthens its barrier, and it is also an antioxidant that blocks radical damage and can eliminate age spots and acne scars.
- Vitamin-A: gives shea butter its anti-inflammatory qualities that soothe irritated skin, and prevent dryness.
- Vitamin-F: is what allows shea butter to seal in moisture; helping your skin maintain its elasticity.
- Fatty Acids: about 65% of shea butter is comprised of moisturizing oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic fatty acids that help boost your collagen production which is essential for your overall skin appearance and health.
THE BENEFITS SHEA BUTTER BRINGS TO CLEAN BEAUTY LIP PRODUCTS
Speaking of endless, my dry lips saga has been annoying to say the least. Moisturizing lip balms have been great for everyday regular use, but for times when I want a pop of color on my lips I didn’t want to have to sacrifice comfort for a look. And these clean beauty lip products seem like they were made with that in mind. Not only do these clean lip products bring the color, but they also have shea butter benefits built right in. Shea butter in these lip products stops dryness and keep your lips hydrated. Since shea butter moisturizes and boosts collagen, your lips also look plumper and smoother with these lip products. And the anti-aging benefits of vitamin-A and vitamin-E work to prevent wrinkles and fine lines on your lips. Not to mention the added antioxidant protection that keeps your lips safe and looking good. All of this wrapped in brands and makeup products that are vegan, don’t contain harmful ingredients, and are conscious of the environment is a win.
MILK MAKEUP KUSH LIP BALM
The MILK MAKEUP Kush Lip Balm gets its name from its notorious main ingredient; hemp oil from the cannabis seed. Yup, the kush helps to sooth and calm the skin on your lips. But in addition, it has a range of butters like shea butter, cocoa butter, and mango butter. They all work together to smooth your lips and make them pillowy soft. They also moisturize your lips and keeps them comforted all day long. Also jojoba oil and olive oil bring the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profits. But in addition to the skin benefits, this lip balm comes in clear and 4 colors that you can layer. And to top it all off, peppermint oil and sage extract give the lip balm a satisfying taste and scent.
W3LL PEOPLE OPTIMIST LIPSTICK
The W3LL PEOPLE Optimist Lipstick is highly pigmented and breaks the drying stereotype of matte lipsticks. It comes in a range of shades 7 shades that glide on light and smooth with a satin matte finish. This lipstick, as with all of the products from W3LL PEOPLE, is made with only plant-based ingredients. And the shea butter, jojoba oil, and cupuacu butter in this lipstick not only nourishes, but also hydrates your lips with lasting results. It’s just good.
KOSAS WET LIP OIL GLOSS
The KOSAS Wet Lip Oil Gloss makes your lips look like a treat while it treats them. Chiefly, it comes in 6 punching colors with a super-slick glossy formula, that’s not sticky. But it also doubles down as a lip treatment full of powerhouse ingredients that hydrate and plump your lips. There’s shea butter, avocado oil, and peptides that moisturizes lips and also increases collagen production. This is key because the boost of collagen is what plumps yours lips and gives them an appealing smooth appearance. Hyaluronic acid helps your lips to retain water and moisture. And evening primrose oil protects your lips from damage, along with konjac root that forms an added barrier across your lips. This lip oil gloss does double duty, and it does it well.
100% PURE FRUIT PIGMENTED COCOA BUTTER MATTE LIPSTICK
The 100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick uses real ingredients to help it stand out. Not only is the lipstick made with shea butter and cocoa butter to provide next-level nourishment and moisture. But this lipstick also comes in over 20 colors that are all made strictly from fruits. That’s right. Not only do fruits like cherry and blueberry provide vitamins and antioxidant protection for your lips, but they also lend their talents to create a range of beautiful shades. And the matte finish of the lipstick is made from rice powder instead of talc. When this lipstick says 100% PURE, it’s earned its bragging rights.
KJAER WEIS LIPSTICK
The KJAER WEIS Lipstick is a luxury-forward lipstick that is equally rich in nutrients. Shea butter, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil blend to create a formula that’s plentiful in moisturizing and soothing benefits. And there’s also flower extracts inside, like gardenia florida and rosa rubiginosa, that minimize fine lines and protect your lips from damage and other signs of aging. This lipstick has a luscious buttery texture that glides on like a cream, with a silky finish. And the super pigmented, classic shades are definitely something to boast about.
Endless may be an exaggeration, but shea butter is truly a natural gem for your skin. And if I can get those benefits in a clean makeup product then what more is there to ask? Moral of the story: knowledge is power so educate yourself to know more about the things you think you know. And douse your skin and lips in shea butter.
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