Shea butter is a very common ingredient in hair care products. Find out what makes this natural product a superstar in the curly hair care community and how you can benefit from it.

We often see and hear shea butter on most hair care products available in the market. But what is shea butter and why has it become a superstar in the hair care industry, especially for curly hair? Shea butter for hair is a fat extracted from the nuts of a shea tree. It is a natural ingredient that helps in moisturizing the hair and promotes hair growth. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing redness on the scalp and prevents dandruff. It can be used as hair oil or more commonly, used as an ingredient to hair care products.

Benefits of Shea butter for hair

Shea butter as a hair moisturizer

Shea butter is a good moisturizer for the hair and scalp. It seals the hair strands to lock in hair’s natural moisture. It also contains Vitamin A and E and fatty acids that add shine to the hair.

Shea butter prevent hair loss and help hair growth

Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that make the scalp healthy. We know that a healthy scalp promotes healthy hair. It strengthens the hair follicles that prevent hair loss and promote stronger hair strands.

Soothes dry and itchy scalp

Shea butter when absorbed by the scalp eases the itchy and dry scalp, hence preventing flakes and dandruff. The fat-rich ingredient does not clog the pores and moisturize the hair strands from its roots. 

Protect against heat damage and UV rays

Shea butter provides a natural barrier to the hair that protects it from damage caused by heat. It is easily absorbed by the hair that serves as a protective layer against UV rays. Apply a thin layer to your hair when damp before using a hairdryer or diffuser. 

Frizzy hair solution with Shea butter

How to use Shea butter for hair?

As hair oil

Shea butter has a solid consistency. To use it as hair oil, heat a small amount in a bowl and massage it to the hair. Unlike other heavy oils like coconut oil and olive oil, shea butter does not clog the scalp. You can massage it on the hair and scalp. Massaging the scalp with shea butter can help in promoting healthy hair follicles and stronger hair.

An additional ingredient to shampoo and conditioner

Some hair care products already contain shea butter. But if you have hair care products like shampoo and conditioner that don’t, you can simply add a few drops of warm shea butter to them. This will give you shea butter benefits without wasting any product.

Use Shea butter as a hair mask

Using shea butter as a hair mask works as a natural deep conditioner and hair moisturizer. You can make your own shea butter at home by combining warm shea butter and aloe vera gel. You can also add Vitamin E for added benefit. Combine these three ingredients together. Massage it to the hair and scalp and let it sit for a few minutes. 

Here are some tips for the curly hair community for using shea butter.

1. Combat your dry and frizzy hair with shea butter. Apply shea butter to your hair before leaving the house. Shea butter is an emollient. It acts as a sealant to trap hair’s moisture that prevents frizz and dryness.
2. Apply shea butter to your hair before blow-drying. This will protect your hair strands from heat damage.
3. If you have an itchy scalp, massage shea butter on your hair and scalp. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and swelling.
4. You can also use shea butter on your skin. It is easily absorbed by the skin like the scalp promoting hair growth and healthy strands.

Our top 5 Shea butter hair products

Shea Moisture Raw Butter Deep Moisturizing Masque Transform chemically treated and damaged hair with this hair masque while giving it moisture. It is blended with Shea butter and natural botanicals that restores hair’s natural lipids. It contains no harmful chemicals and is compatible with type 3 and 4 hair. Buy On Amazon

Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream Activate your hair’s natural curl and definition with this curl activator cream. Formulated with shea butter, olive oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil that volumizes and defines the curls. Plus, it prevents frizz for bouncier and shinier-looking curls. Buy On Amazon

Shea Moisture Raw Butter Shampoo and Conditioner A shea butter duo that locks in hair moisture and keeps the scalp nourished and hydrated. The mixture of shea butter and other natural ingredients like sea kelp, and Argan oil restores dry and damaged hair. A perfect duo to bring back life to your curls. Buy On Amazon

Shea Moisture Leave-in Conditioner Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner It is a reparative leave-in conditioner that softens and detangles hair. It nourishes, moisturizes and supports elasticity so hair resists breakage when detangling. It provides a protective layer that improves the appearance of split ends. Peppermint oil stimulates the scalp for an invigorating experience. Buy On Amazon

Cantu Shea Butter Hydrating Leave-in Conditioning Mist A hydrating leave-in conditioner that instantly repairs hair to keep it shiny and soft. It is made from pure shea butter that repairs damage and prevents breakage. A versatile product that can be used as a hydrating mist and frizz control without weighing the hair down. Buy On Amazon

Takeaway

Shea butter is a superstar in the health and beauty world for a reason. It is a versatile product that can be used on the hair and skin. It has multiple benefits that can really make even the most damaged curls back to life. There are many different products available in the market with Shea butter. So no matter what your hair issue or hair type is, there will always be a product perfect for your needs.