Ultra moisturizing, ultra nourishing: shea butter. Perhaps one of the best-known moisturizers, But this is only one of many wonderful benefits for our health, this potent butter has been used for thousands of years and continues to be a popular beauty ingredient.

"Shea Butter is great for hydration and calms the skin. It goes into the skin well and protects the face from extreme temperatures," says Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Spas and Skin Care, in a Byrdie article.

But what is shea butter made of? Is it really that good for your skin? Let’s take a closer look at the shea butter and all of its (many) benefits, below.

Shea butter 101: shea butter benefits, uses, and side effects

What is Shea butter?

African shea butter is a natural vegetable fat that comes from the Karite Nut tree found in the western and central regions of Africa. The tree produces an almond-shaped fruit that has a nut inside — and that’s where the shea butter comes from.

Nicknamed Tree of Life by the local communities due to all the benefits for skin, hair, and health shea butter provides, it is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins which makes it a hydration powerbomb. There are two types of shea butter you can get on the market:

• Raw: non-processed butter that often has a more yellow hue and it contains more nutrients and healing properties.

• Refined: processed form of shea butter, that is often more white in color and has less nutrients due to some of them being stripped away in the process of refining. 

How we use shea butter in Bloomi products

At Bloomi, we have a selection of premium products that contain shea butter. We always use the best quality shea butter that fits our Clean Standard. 

• Delight, our oil-based personal lubricant, has shea butter in it to help supplement the natural body's lubrication during penetrative sex and can be applied before or during intimacy. 

• Our Nourish intimate skin moisturizer infused with shea butter among other moisturizing and nourishing natural ingredients. It's designed to gently moisturize intimate skin and soften pubic hair. Before use, apply a little bit on your fingertips and let it melt before gently massaging it into your intimate skin and pubic hair. It's for external use only.

What are the real benefits of shea butter?

Like we said, there are so many benefits to using shea butter. Here are a few:

1. It’s super hydrating for your skin

This may be an obvious one, but shea butter benefits for the skin is hydration. Shea butter has linoleic acid, and studies show that this ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties and boosts skin hydration. 

Shea butter is rich in vitamin E and vitamin A and these compounds promote blood circulation and healthy skin cell growth, which helps to improve skin appearance and make it plumper.

2. It’s great for shaving

The American Shea Butter Institute says that premium shea butter is an excellent alternative to regular shaving cream. Shea butter shearing force between the skin and the blade allows for a smoother and closer shave that's also better for the skin. 

Also, due to its moisturizing and healing properties, shea butter nourishes and protects the skin after shaving and there is no need to apply after-shaving lotions or creams.  

3. It can help reduce the signs of aging 

Shea butter has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components that help neutralize free radical damage, which studies have found can help reduce signs of aging. 

So, regularly applying shea butter or skincare products containing shea butter can help you look young and youthful for longer. 

4. It could prevent hair breakage

Cetyl esters is the ingredient found in shea butter that is responsible for locking in moisture. With that, studies found that shea butter can help prevent hair breakage.

5. It also might help treat dandruff

Shea butter's moisturizing properties are also useful in treating dandruff — which can be pesky and hard to get rid of. Have no fear, though. Shea butter is here to help. One study found that when used with other moisturizing products decreases the flakes and prevents flare-ups.

Bloomi Clean Standard overview

At Bloomi, we believe that everyone deserves clean and non-toxic intimate care products that feel good and do good for our bodies. That's why with the help of top sexual wellness experts and academic research we have created a Clean Standard for our intimate care products.

Our products have plant-based formulas that are free of vulvar allergens like glycerin, gluten, parabens, fragrances, and sulfates so you don't have to worry about having an unpleasant reaction to something. 

Our toys are made from non-toxic ingredients like medical-grade silicone and stainless steel so you can enjoy solo and partnered pleasure knowing you're using the best quality toys. 

And our packaging is made with sustainable, compostable, and recyclable materials, so you know your favorite intimate products are not harming the environment.