Using Shea Butter for Your Massages

Let’s talk about shea butter — this amazing natural ingredient loved for generations. More than a moisturizer, it’s filled with nourishing antioxidants your skin and body will love. In this blog, I’ll share what shea butter is, why it’s great for your skin, and how using shea butter for your massages can make your experience even better.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is the fat of the nut of the African Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). Traditionally, shea butter harvesting was strictly reserved for women. Even today, many commercial sources support women-owned co-ops that support this tradition and provide women with business opportunities.

What are the Benefits of Shea Butter for Massage Therapy?

Using shea butter for your massages provides great benefits for dry and cracked skin. This is because of its many rich properties:

Anti-Inflammatory Healing

Shea butter has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is thanks to several fatty acids and plant sterols, including:

• Oleic acid
• Stearic acid
• Palmitic acid
• Linolenic acid

These oil-soluble components are nonsaponifiable. This means they do not convert to soap when introduced to an alkali. Shea butter contains a higher percentage of nonsaponifiable materials than most other nut oils and fats, which lends it greater healing potential.

Antioxidant-Rich Nourishment

Shea butter is packed with vitamins A and E, as well as catechins, which are antioxidants found in green tea. We don’t know the absorption rate of these vitamins in raw shea butter. However, research shows that cinnamic acid esters in shea fat may help shield the skin from UV damage.

Using Shea Butter for Skin Health

The traditional use of shea butter is to:

• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and stretch marks
• Support scar and wound healing
• Ease psoriasis and eczema symptoms
• Heal and soothe sunburns
• Hydrate cracked, dry skin

I often use shea butter on small scrapes and cuts. The skin seems to heal much faster and with less of a scar when I apply it daily. It’s great to use on the dry, cracked skin on the feet.

When shopping for shea butter, look for high-quality, raw, or unrefined shea butter. 

• The best shea butter should be 100% pure, with no additives or fillers.
• If possible, choose fair-trade or organic options to support ethical practices and ensure high quality.
• Look at the texture and color. Raw shea butter is usually off-white to ivory and should feel creamy and smooth, not gritty.

Using Shea Butter for Your Massages

Shea butter’s thick and creamy nature provides significant benefits during massage, enhancing both hydration and healing:

• It locks in moisture, which is great for dry skin.
• There’s something soothing about the way it feels during a massage.
• Regular use can help keep your skin nice and elastic.

  

Using Shea Butter for Your Massages with Essential Oils

Pairing shea butter with essential oils can enhance the relaxing, relieving benefits of the rich natural product. Using shea butter for your massages provides deep hydration and nourishment for your skin. To make it even better, I love combining it with essential oil blends. It creates a soothing aromatic experience that can enhance your overall well-being.

Ask your massage therapist if they can combine the benefits of the two natural ingredients for your next appointment.

Considerations for Your Next Massage Appointment in Boca Raton:

Shea butter’s thick and creamy nature can leave a residue on the skin so it might not always be the preferred choice during a humid summer or if you are going back to work following a treatment.

But if you don’t mind that lovely richness, definitely make sure to ask your massage therapist at Balance Spa to use shea butter during your massage. The benefits are worth it!