WHY CLEOPATRA & POTAGER SOAP LOVE SHEA BUTTER

Shea Butter, or Karite, is a nut butter derived from the Shea Nut Tree (Butyrospermum Parkii). It is also known as “Woman’s Gold”, because, in West Africa where the Shea Nut Tree grows, the trade and production of Shea Butter is a woman’s industry, empowering women, their families, and their communities. 

How interesting to note that Cleopatra used Shea Butter or “Woman’s Gold” in her skincare regime. Clay vessels laden with this precious commodity were perhaps one of the greatest secrets in her beauty arsenal. Can we surmise that Shea Butter played a part in the dramatic love story between Cleopatra and the emperor of Rome, Julius Caesar. Perhaps that’s a bit of a stretch but how intriguing to think that the humble Shea Nut offers us a link to this mysterious and distant past.

Today Shea Butter can be found in products ranging from skincare to chocolate bars, but it’s worth noting that shea has enjoyed a respected place in skincare and beauty, medicine, and food production for thousands of years.

Potager Soap Company incorporates a generous amount of Virgin, Fair Trade, Certified Organic Shea Butter in every bar. Read on to find out just how beneficial this humble nut butter actually is. 

As a harmonious partner to human skin, shea butter is composed of fatty acids, vitamins, anti-inflammatory properties, and has a luxuriously smooth texture. The inclusion of shea butter in Potager cold-process soap is a must-have not only for its nourishing benefits but because it promotes a beautiful lather and helps assist the soap curing process.  

Below is a shortlist of the reasons why we love Shea Butter here at Potager.

Potager’s Favorite Shea Butter Benefits

1. Anti-Inflammatory

2. Anti-Aging

3. Softer Skin

4. Vitamin-Rich

5. UV Protection

6. Naturally Healing

Anti-Inflammatory
Shea butter in its purest form is believed to treat general cases of skin inflammation and is used to treat dermatitis and rosacea. Shea butter can treat sunburns, cuts, rashes, and more.

Anti-Aging
Research has found that shea butter helps stimulate the production of collagen within the skin; which is synonymous with younger-looking skin. This, combined with Vitamin A and Vitamin E, helps skin stay supple, soft, and radiant. The addition of shea butter in a balanced skincare routine can improve complexion and reduce wrinkles in a matter of weeks. 

Softer Skin
Shea butter contains vitamins A and E and helps promote the production of collagen. Skin becomes softer to the touch, and elasticity is restored. Shea butter moisturizes without clogging pores.

Vitamin-Rich
Shea butter has Vitamin A, E, & F, which makes it skin-friendly and easily absorbable. This moisturizing and vegan-friendly ingredient reduces the appearance of wrinkles and promotes cell renewal.

UV Protection
Increased sun exposure can be harmful these days, but help from vegetable oils like shea butter can have a positive impact on the skin before and after sun exposure. Cleansing skin with soap that contains shea butter can provide your skin an antioxidant boost.

Naturally Healing
Shea butter is vitamin-rich and great for healing skin. Certain components in shea butter make it useful in healing minor cuts and burns and reducing the appearance of scarring. Shea butter is also useful in guarding against insect bites, stings, rashes, allergic reactions, and stretch marks.

Shea butter is a versatile nut butter found in many beauty products. The vitamins & fatty acids in Shea Butter make it super-moisturizing. Potager incorporates soothing, anti-aging, skin softening Organic Fair Trade Shea Butter in every bar of our castile soap.