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Shea Oil

Shea Oil

 - West Africa


Known for: Fiber Repairing, Nourishment, Hair Health

If you’re looking for the quintessential hair conditioner and overall moisturizer, you’ve found it. Shea Oil has been around since the Queen of Sheba and Nefertiti insisted on using it to make their skin and hair sublime. An oil rich in fats and derived from the nuts found inside the fruit of the karite tree (also known as the Shea Tree), which grows all over Africa, specifically in the west. The tree is actually considered sacred by many African tribes, and is commonly used by them to protect their skin and hair from the harsh sun and dry winds.

One of the most powerful ingredients in Shea Oil is its phenolic compounds, which are known for their antioxidant properties. Shea Oil contains 10 phenolic compounds, 8 of which are catechins, powerful antioxidants. The catechin content of Shea Oil is actually higher than the total phenolic content of ripe olives.

Its next hair-healthy must-haves are vitamin A, vitamin F, and tocopherol, aka vitamin E. All of these have been shown to have a deep moisturizing and regenerative effect on both strands and scalp, strengthening hair strands, softening dry hair, reducing breakage, and smoothing split ends. These vitamins are also amazing when it comes to locking in moisture, without leaving the hair greasy or limp. Because of the intense infusion of moisture they provide, they can also help prevent scalp irritation and flaking.

To top it off, Shea Oil contains five principal fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidic acids.

These nutrients found in Shea Oil are essential for improving both scalp and hair health, which leads to stronger hair follicles and a reduction in breakage.

Shea Oil also absorbs UVs, helping to prevent damage. That’s a plus if you color your hair, and want to keep it from fading. Shea Oil’s protective qualities also make it a natural for adding a layer of protection to strands when using hot tools, like blow dryer and irons, or after chemical treatments.

Finally, Shea Oil is practically magic for curly and thicker hair types. Its emollient qualities can help repair brittle strands or tame frizzy locks.

Where It’s Sourced

Shea Oil is processed from the kernels found inside the fruit of the Shea Tree, which are native to the Savannah region of West Africa. Each tree can take 20 to 30 years to bear fruit, making the process of growing them a long labor of love. Once they’re ripe, they fall from the tree, at which point the kernels are separated from the fruit and the shea butter production process begins.

The nuts are hand harvested and cleared of their pulp and dried. The pit extract from the kernel is crushed and pressed, and the butter is filtrated and deodorized.

The Behind-the-Scenes Science: Soothes and Moisturizes the Scalp

We now know that Shea Oil is rich in vitamins, minerals and other natural powerhouses that work together to beautify and strengthen hair. The National Center for Biotechnology Information published a study finding that shea nuts and shea fat (butter) constitute a significant source of anti-inflammatory compounds. But how can being an anti-inflammatory help your hair?

Inflammatory issues are at the root of many scalp and skin conditions, literally. medical conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can contribute to hair loss. Shea Oil forms a nourishing and protective layer that helps to rejuvenate hair follicles, providing a better environment for healthy hair growth. It’s also fantastic for soothing a dry, itchy scalp. The rich fat is easily absorbed into the skin without leaving behind a greasy residue or clogged pores.

Another study from the American Journal of Life Sciences states that Shea Oil boosts collagen production, which we lose a little bit every year, and makes skin and hair lose strength and elasticity.

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15137838
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22499721
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20484832
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19537379
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21768739

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be used to treat any health conditions. Medical advice should always come from your physician. The articles mentioned are for reference only and are unaffiliated with Prose.

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