An African shea butter lotion candle can do wonders for the skin. But, how do lotion candles made by African shea butter differ from lotions made with regular shea butter? Find out below.
Comparing African Shea Butter Lotion Candle and Regular Shea Butter
Despite their names, both African shea butter and regular shea butter come from Africa. They are both extracted from the nut of African shea trees (known as Karite trees), though the region is different.
African shea butter comes from the lowlands and rivers. You may also find them in rainforests. Shea butter, on the other hand, primarily comes from dry or arid highlands.
There are more key differences between African shea butter and shea butter than just their origin. Let’s break them down one by one.
Color
African shea butter bears a mustard yellow color, whereas shea butter bears more of an ivory or light yellow color. It is important to note, though, that shea butter loses some of its yellow color if it goes through a refinement process. Raw or unrefined shea butter typically sports a more yellow color than refined shea butter.
Moisturizing Effect
Many people use both regular shea butter and African shea butter for skin health. This does not come as a surprise as both kinds of butter have significant moisturizing effects. The size of the moisturizing fraction of shea butter is 94 to 97%, while it’s 98% to 99% for the African shea butter.
Healing Effect
As with moisturizing, both African shea butter lotion and shea butter possess healing properties. Though, it is worth noting that shea butter has a larger healing fraction (3 to 6%) than African shea butter (1 to 2%).
Fatty Acid Content
African shea butter contains 48 to 51% oleic acid, while shea butter contains 43 to 45%. Both kinds of butter also contain stearic acid, with African shea butter consisting of 41 to 46% and shea butter consisting of 42 to 44%.
As for palmitic acid, both African shea butter and shea butter contain about the same amount. Other fatty acids found in both kinds of butter, though in small amounts, include arachidonic acid and linoleic acid.
Consistency
African shea butter tends to be soft and creamy. This means you can easily apply and spread it on the skin. White shea butter is relatively harder and comes in a more solid form. To use it, you must first soften or melt the butter before applying it to the skin.
Refined vs Unrefined Shea Butter: Which Is Better?
The process of extracting shea butter from the nut of the Karite tree begins with drying the nut. After the nut dries, the hard outer shell is removed, while the flesh within the nut is ground and roasted. This is why shea butter tends to smell smoky.
After that, the ground and roaster shea butter is boiled in water. The butter that floats to the top is taken and ready for use, though still unrefined.
To get refined shea butter, the butter goes through a filtration process to get rid of any impurities. Some even undergo treatment to change their scent and color.
Between unrefined and refined shea butter, though, which is better?
Raw or unrefined shea butter contains a much higher nutrient content than refined shea butter. Unrefined shea butter also boasts better natural healing properties and does not contain any chemicals. In comparison, refined shea butter goes through a refining process that makes use of chemicals.
Conversely, some people prefer refined shea butter because they are more widely available. They also don’t smell like anything, whereas unrefined shea butter may have an unpleasant odor.
Is African Shea Butter Good for Skin Health?
African shea butter is very good for the skin, particularly for dry skin. Thanks to its natural moisturizing and healing properties, those who suffer from dry or flaky skin can use a lotion with African shea butter to treat their condition. You can even take it one step further by using an African shea butter lotion candle.
A lotion candle works great because it applies to the skin warm. This means your skin will absorb it more efficiently compared to cold lotions. Lotion candles also tend not to leave any film or greasy residue.
Of course, this does not mean all lotion candles are the same. When searching for a lotion candle, make sure to look for one that contains African shea butter (to make sure you only get the best for your skin) and other natural ingredients.
A Miracle Worker for Dry Skin Sufferers
If you suffer from dry skin, then you know how hard it is to find a product that works. An African shea butter lotion candle may just be the answer to your problems. With its natural moisturizing and healing effects, African shea butter can restore your skin and give you healthier skin.