The 10 Most Reviewed Moisturizers Without Added Ingredients
- Better Shea Butter unrefined shea butter
- NOW Solutions sweet almond oil
- NOW Solutions castor oil
- Aveeno eczema therapy moisturizing cream
- Molivera Organics ivory shea butter
- Sky Organics organic shea butter
- NOW Foods organic jojoba oil
- Home Health castor oil
- NOW Foods grape seed oil
- NOW Foods avocado oil
Give Skin An Antioxidant Boost
Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura
Shea butter is high in vitamins A and E, as well as catechins and other significant plant antioxidants, which may protect skin from damage. There is evidence that suggests that cinnamic acid esters in shea fat also help to prevent damage from ultraviolet radiation.
What Makes Shea Butter A Good Option For Eczema Treatment
Shea butter has a very high healing fraction that is more than any other oils including coconut oil, and it is also rich in nourishing nutrients as we such discover below:
- Vitamin A Shea butter is so rich in vitamin A that you can call it vitamin A cream, no kidding! Many skin products contain retinol and retinoic acid that are important for healthy skin cell production. Vitamin A is also said to stimulate the cells responsible for developing tissue, also known as fibroblasts, that keep skin supple and healthy from within the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin.
- Vitamin E A fat-soluble antioxidant found in high amounts in raw African shea butter, vitamin E helps keep eczema skin properly lubricated and speeds up the healing process of itchy and bleeding wounds caused by excessive scratching.
- Cinnamic Acid Esters These are anti-inflammatory agents that help reduce inflammation and redness as well as soothe irritated skin.
- Vitamin F These nourishing fats are also known as unsaponifiables that are knownto be good for skin. Shea butter has a content of 7-12% unsaponsifiables, which makes it an excellent moisturizer for dry itchy and flaky eczema. The nourishing fats also form a protective barrier over eczema skin, which keeps away skin irritating germs that can further aggravate eczema and cause flare-ups.
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What Is The Difference Between Regular And Whipped Shea Butter
Naturally, the raw Shea butter has a creamy texture but it is relatively hard. Even though it melts at body temperature, the firmness of the butter makes it difficult and time-consuming to rub it evenly into the skin. It is for this reason that Shea butter is often mixed with other oils to either improve its texture making application easy or optimise its healing effect based on specific skin conditions. Heres where melting comes into the picture. Shea butter is first melted, then mixed with required oils, poured into containers and set aside to cool. Enriched with essential oils and/or other ingredients, your Shea body butter is now ready.
Despite its relatively creamier texture, some people still find the hardness unflattering and prefer to have an airy, fluffy texture like any other moisturising cream. This is when another step is added to the process. Instead of pouring the melted blend into a jar, the liquid blend is whipped and then poured into jars to get the desired texture. The whipped butter, however, hardens over a couple of years due to certain external factors, temperature being the primary one.
Given the additional time and effort that goes into making a whipped blend, it is often more expensive than the regular melted one.
Shea Butter Soothes The Skin
As shea butter is packed with ingredients like vitamins A and E, its useful to treat sensitive and irritated skin. Whenever you have sunburns, dry patches, windburns, abrasions, or even when a baby has a diaper rash, smother the area with shea butter and let it work its magic. In a few days, your skin will feel renewed.
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Can Shea Butter Make Skin Worse
Shea butter is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that help in skin smoothening and aids in nourishing the skin. Shea butter also comes with anti-aging properties that lower the chance of premature aging. Apart from it, it also has an SPF of 3 to 4 in it, so it gives protection against UV rays as well. Although its good for the skin, using unrefined shea butter on the skin can clog pores due to its thickness.
Coconut Oil For Eczema
Coconut oil can be used to reduce almost all skin imperfections. It is an effective moisturizer, reduces inflammation, and soothes irritations.
Coconut oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It can help to keep skin clean and purified.
Coconut can be very effective for red rashes, swelling, and itchiness. For best results, apply coconut oil to the area of concern 3 times daily.
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Tips For Using Shea Butter For Eczema
The National Eczema Association provides tips for using moisturizing ingredients like shea butter for eczema. As the NEA notes, bathing right before moisturizing is the most effective method for replacing moisture to dry skin. The NEA recommends bathing in lukewarm water and avoiding hot water, which can irritate the skin. Use a fragrance- and dye-free body wash and then apply moisturizer to warm, damp skin. Showers or baths are equally effective but should be limited to 10 to 15 minutes.
Note that some people may have allergic reactions to new topical ingredients or treatments. Those with sensitive skin and nut allergies may be at risk of experiencing allergic reactions or developing irritated skin. Talk to your dermatologist before incorporating new skin care products like shea butter into your skin care routine.
Say Goodbye To Eczema
Now that you have read the incredible healing benefits of shea butter for eczema, you are probably wondering where you can find some high-quality, pure shea butter.
Look no further than our website here, we have the ultimate unrefined, raw shea butter that comes in multiple forms and sizes.
If you would like to learn a bit more about shea butter, check out our article on shea butter 101!
- These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of our products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Coconut Oil Cocoa Butter And Nutmeg
Yet another use for coconut oil! Coconut oil and cocoa butter will give your skin the nutrients, vitamins, and moisture it lacks and severely needs. Nutmeg acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling and redness. Use one part coconut oil, three parts cocoa butter, and enough nutmeg to form a paste.
Consume The Right Vitamins
The following vitamins and minerals are particularly beneficial for eczema. Try to get them by eating a nutritious diet.
- Zinc: Seafood, lean red meat, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds
- Vitamin C: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables and rosehip
- Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, pine nuts, almonds, dried apricots, avocado
- Vitamin D: Best absorbed from sunlight in the summer months , and a D supplement in the winter months.
- Flavonoids: Emerging research suggests that flavonoids can help to rebalance the immune system, therefore, being helpful for those with eczema.
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How To Use Shea Butter For Eczema
MyEczemaTeam members have shared many different ways of using shea butter to help moisturize and manage their eczema symptoms. Many people report that they combine the ingredient with others to create a topical cream or paste. As one member wrote, I have hand eczema. I make my own whipped shea butter. I add sweet almond oil, avocado oil, tea tree, and lavender. Another member shared that they used some shea butter with coconut oil and havent itched all day.
Other members have shared that they use shea butter while bathing. I have eczema and psoriasis, one shared, and I use shea butter soap to bathe. Another wrote, raw shea butter soap and lotion work wonders!
Not everyone finds relief from eczema using shea butter, however. Some members have reported experiencing negative reactions: I tried it, wrote one member. It made mine worse. But everyone reacts differently to products. Another member shared, I wish I could use shea butter on my skin. I usually avoid it its too strong for me and causes me to itch.
What Kind Of Shea Butter Is Best
The selection of shea butter products may be overwhelming. However, as is the case with many natural products and remedies, the purest forms are the most desirable. In other words, it may not be a good idea to go for the shea butter product that smells the best especially because many people with eczema are sensitive to fragrances.
Only high-quality shea butter can offer health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory properties. For example, shea butter contains cinnamic acid . If shea butter loses its natural integrity, the cinnamic acid dissipates and loses its healing qualities.
The most important aspects responsible for variations in shea butters are processing and exposure. Pure, unrefined shea butter is cold-pressed without harmful chemicals or preservatives, according to the American Shea Butter Institute. At room temperature, shea butter spreads easily and melts in your hands.
Pure, natural shea butter also has a distinct smell that sometimes is described as unpleasant, but after 10 minutes, it no longer emits any odor. It is not green, yellow, white, or brown those types of shea butter have been altered. Refined shea butter may be more cosmetically elegant, spreading more easily and without an odor. However, it may not retain all of the benefits, as shea butter is changed during the refining process. As with any eczema treatment, people should avoid chemicals and fragrances that may aggravate the condition.
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Precautions To Keep In Mind
Because shea butter comes from a tree nut, it might stand to reason that allergies would be a concern. But in reality, there are no documented cases of shea butter allergies.
Even so, its best to do a test on a small patch of skin before slathering it all over your baby. If you notice any redness or irritation in the test area, go with an alternative that doesnt contain shea butter.
Also, know that most dry skin in babies resolves on its own after about the first month or so. If your little ones dry skin persists, dont just reach for the shea butter or baby oil talk to your pediatrician. There may be a more serious issue that requires medical treatment.
Some oils containing the same fatty acids as shea butter for example, olive oil have been the subject of research into whether they can actually cause atopic eczema. More research is needed, but keep this in mind and watch for any skin changes in your baby.
Shea butter is an off-white-to-ivory color fat that comes from the shea nuts. The mild, nutty smelling fat has effective emollient and anti-inflammatory properties . Therefore, it is widely used in skincare, haircare, and the cosmetic industry. However, as shea butter comes from a tree nut, the possibility of an allergic reactionmight raise concerns regarding its use for babies.
In this MomJunction post, we tell you about the use of shea butter for babies and its safety.
How Eczema Is Treated
Treatment for eczema varies. There are over-the-counter products and prescription medications that can relieve symptoms. What you may need will depend on the severity of your condition. In addition, some people choose to use natural remedies for eczema.
Some of the following items can help treat and relieve symptoms of eczema:
- OTC ointments and creams that contain hydrocortisone to help decrease discoloration and redness
- Medication prescribed by a healthcare provider, including steroid injections, steroid creams, and pills
- Mild soaps and products that are labeled “fragrance-free” and do not contain alcohol and dyes
- A humidifier if the air in your home or office is often dry and dries out your skin
- Ointments or creams to moisturize the skin
- Lukewarm baths
- Stress-relieving exercises to avoid flare-ups
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Africa Shea Butter For Contact Dermatitis
January 30, 2014 by Christina
Recently Ive been looking for a natural cream or lotion that could be used for sensitive skin, as mine is prone to eczema breakouts. However, I was shocked when I read some of the ingredients in natural products!
Before The Flawless Program, I suffered from eczema for over 12 years. After getting rid of my eczema completely after the 30-day program, I am always careful about what I put onto my skin.Eczema , is a condition in which the skin becomes red, inflamed or sore after direct contact with a particular substance. In worse cases, the eczema can become infected, leading to oozing sores and weeping crusts.
Eczema Dermatitis And Psoriasis
People with skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis often seek moisture and redness relief. Shea butters anti-inflammatory and emollient properties make it an excellent product to help soothe flaky, red, and irritated skin.
Shea butter absorbs very quickly, so it could help you get speedy relief from flare-ups, and its gentle on sensitive skin. A study of 34 children with eczema found a cream containing shea butter was just as effective as a medicated cream.
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How To Use Shea Butter For Eczema Treatment
Right Outta the Jar! The simplest way to use shea butter for eczema treatment is using it straight out of the jar. Simply get a liberal amount and rub it in your affected areas. Its ideal to use shea butter for eczema immediately you step out of the shower and when your skin is still wet to lock in moisture, keeping eczema moisturized, flake-free, non-itchy and calmed down. If your shea butter is in a block form or its crumbly, then simply break off a piece and warm it between your palms to melt it.
Make a Salve! Salves are immensely healing and contain ingredients like beeswax, which is a surfactant that forms a protective barrier over eczema skin, warding off germs and sealing in moisture. They also contain herb-infused oils like comfrey oil, calendula oil, lavender oil, plantain oil, etc. These herbs are rich in anti-oxidants and skin soothing properties that give quick relief to bleeding, itchy and painful eczema.
What’s The Difference Between Shea Butter And Other Butters
Shea butter, cocoa butter, strawberry butter, peanut butter. Which is good for your skin and hair and which just sounds good? “Not all butters are created equal,” explains Dobos. She says that while shea, cocoa, and mango butters, for example, are all naturally occurring, “some natural oils are just blended with hydrogenated vegetable oil or chemically modified to make them more solid in nature, similar to how margarine is made.”
Dobos explains that none of the chemically-modified butters need to be avoided in fact, they’re all perfectly safe but don’t assume they’re akin to shea butter just because they’re similar in name. “It can be hard to separate marketing from real engagement in supply chain matters. Look for brands that partner with organizations like the Global Shea Alliance, which promotes sustainable practices and provides training to improve quality of shea harvesting while ensuring fair trade practices and equitable pay,” she continues.
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Something To Be Mindful About
Many products advertising that they contain the goodness of shea butter unfortunately do not contain enough of it for your skin to benefit from it. To make matters worse, because of its origins, you also want to make sure that your shea butter is ethically sourced and is Fairtrade so know where it comes from and where its made.
How To Treat Eczema With Shea Butter
For eczema treatment using shea butter, use it as you would any other moisturizer. Take a short bath or shower with warm water twice a day. Gently pat yourself dry afterward with a soft, absorbent towel. Within a few minutes of toweling off, apply shea butter to your skin.
In a 2009 study by the University of Kansas, shea butter displayed results as an option for treating eczema. A patient with a moderate case of eczema applied Vaseline to one arm and shea butter to the other, twice daily.
At the beginning of the study, the severity of the patients eczema was rated as a 3, with 5 being a very severe case and 0 being totally clear. At the end, the arm using Vaseline had its rating downgraded to a 2, while the arm using shea butter was downgraded to a 1. The arm using shea butter was also notably smoother.
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How To Get Rid Of Skin Irritations
The GAPS diet and elimination diet are both two great options to help with eczema. The GAPS diet focuses heavily on eating foods that are easy to digest and ideal for gut health. Read more on that HERE.
The elimination diet, on the other hand, is a great way to pinpoint allergies. The idea of the elimination diet is to cut out high allergen foods to determine what foods are bothering you.
It can be challenging because certain foods, like dairy, can stay in the system for a month. Talk with your doctor to see what they recommend. Read more on the elimination diet HERE.
Benefits Of Shea Butter
What is it about shea butter that makes it so great for your skin? Here are ten great reasons to give it a go.
The only thing to consider is the manufacturing process of the shea butter. Solvents such as hexane can be used during the process so its important to try to get hold of pure uncontaminated shea butter from a reputable source. There are different grades of shea butter which at present are not required to be stated on labelling. Look for fair trade shea butter and make sure you question and look fully into the production. I found some in my local African food shop.
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