Shea butter has proven its lasting power in consumer products because of its versatility and amazing skin nourishing properties. It has a powerhouse combination of vitamins A&E, rich fatty acids, phenolics, and triterpene esters.  These active compounds are the reason shea butter is known for moisturizing dry skin, treating eczema, reducing inflammation, and increasing skin micro circulation. However, the key to ensuring the best shea butter for skincare is choosing products with 100% natural shea butter. Below are the reasons that make natural shea butter so good for the skin.

Antioxidants
Shea butter has over 10 varieties of phenolic compounds which provide high levels of antioxidants in addition to Vitamin A and E. 

Fatty Acids
Shea butter contains several fatty acids that contribute to its texture and emollient activity, the principle ones are palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid.

Phytosterols & Inflammation
Phytoserols are plant compounds that have a structure similar to cholesterol. Shea butter has several phytosterols including campasterol, beta-sitosterol, alpha-spinostero, and stigmasterol which have anti-inflammatory and anti stiffness properties. For this reason shea butter helps treat strains, sprains, muscular aches and pains. Shea butter increases also increase skin micro circulation by facilitating the delivery of oxygen to cells and removal of waste.

Unsaponifiables
Every oil has two fractions sponifables and unsaponifiables. The sponifables is the fraction that break down and the unsaponifiables do not. Shea butter has one of the highest levels of unsaponifiables up to 12% which means it does not break down into acid, alkali or salt. This also means that it retains its emollient components and vitamins which are excellent for the skin.