If you’re after a nourishing and moisturising skincare product it no doubt contains shea butter. But where does this incredible ingredient come from and what exactly can it do for your skin?

Derived from the nuts of the shea (pronounced as ‘shay’) tree, a plant that is indigenous to Africa, shea butter has been used as food and medicine for centuries prior to its introduction to the west. Known to be an effective remedy for skin and scalp issues, the smooth and soft shea paste made from the tiny almond-like nuts is prized in the beauty industry for its emollient properties. At Cannabella, it’s a key ingredient in our Hemp Jelly (both the regular and vegan formulations).

In its pure and natural form, shea is one of the best weapons in nature’s arsenal for moisturising the skin. It aids in reducing premature lines and wrinkles, fading scars, increasing skin elasticity, and soothing skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. Shea butter is non-comedogenic, making it ideal for acne-prone skin because it doesn’t clog pores.

Shea butter also possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it useful for wound healing and repair of the skin barrier. It contains the five essential fatty acids including stearic and oleic acids, phytosterols, allantoin and vitamins E, D and A.

Shea butter vs shea oil

In its least processed form, shea butter is made from the oily kernels within the shea seed. The kernels are ground into a powder and boiled which causes the butter to rise to the top and become solid. The pale yellow or white butter is then used in cosmetics or as food.

To make shea oil, the butter is further processed to produce a light-weight oil which is then popularly applied to the hair to restore and rejuvenate dry strands and smooth fly-aways.

How to use shea butter

Shea butter can be applied anywhere on the body any time it’s needed. Provided there are no allergies, there are no restrictions to how it can be used. Shea-rich products like Hemp Jelly and Vegan Hemp Jelly are powerful multi-taskers that protect the skin by locking in moisture and preventing bacterial growth and inflammation.

For skin that is dry, damaged, and sensitive, our hemp moisturiser with shea butter is an excellent salve that will assist in the repair, renewal, and hydration of skin. Hemp Jelly can be used in the following ways:

  • Lip Balm: Apply to the lips using the fingertips
  • Overnight Face Mask: Apply a thin layer to the face before bed for ultra-hydration
  • Cleansing Balm: Massage a small amount over dry skin and remove with a warm, damp cloth. Can be used in this way to remove make-up too!
  • Cuticle Balm: Massage a small amount into the cuticles and nail beds for hydration and protection
  • Fly-away Balm: Rub a small amount of product in-between your fingertips and smooth over hair to tame frizz or flyaways
  • Sunburn, Rashes, Wind Burn: Regularly apply a thick layer to damaged areas of the skin for 2-3 days or until irritation subsides
  • Nappy Rash & Chafing: Suitable for soothing chafing and nappy rash

As a go-to skin treatment, Hemp Jelly with shea butter’s uses are only limited by your imagination. Check out the amazing results of Hemp Jelly or read more about key active ingredients via our blog.