Shea Butter Soaps

SHEA BUTTER & BLACK SOAP

Cocoa Or Shea Butter? What's The Difference?

Cocoa and Shea butter are two of the best emollients around.  If you suffer from dry skin, like so many seem to do, you can't go wrong with either one!  Moisture is moisture, I say, so how do you choose?  To make an educated decision, you have to look at the qualities of both and decide for yourself.  Some companies even combine the two in a lotion or body wash, for the best of both worlds.  In my estimation, the two are interchangable and equally moisturizing.  I have made lotions from both, choosing the shea butter for myself... but we shall get to that later.

Skin conditioning is of utmost priority for me.  I suffer from some of the worst dry skin in the winter, even suffering from it in the summer, especially as I get "older."   Most people are open to using anything that will moisturize and keep them looking young.  I know from experience that both cocoa and shea butter are listed in many lotions and body washes.  I like to couple them in body wash with any oatmeal type ingredient. 

In the past, I have bought every kind of moisurizing butter available and in every scent imaginable:  mango, grapefruit, lime and coconut, banana, apple pie, etc.  Obviously the scent has nothing whatsoever to do with its ability to soften your skin.  The moisturizing elements within the body lotion or body butter are your key to longer lasting beauty and youthfulness.

I am going to outline here the history and uses of both cocoa and shea butter.  You can decide for yourself

COCOA BUTTER

Cocoa butter is the natural fat extracted from the cacao bean from South America and West Africa.  It has to be grown around the equator; no other location will do. Cocoa butter is used to make toiletries, skin care products, cocoa powder and chocolate. Cocoa butter has a delicious subdued chocolate odor, and has natural antioxidants that prevent products containing it from going bad, thus increasing their shelf life for up to two years. It is a favorite in the production of soaps, cosmetics and skincare products. Its emollient properties and its smooth texture make it a perfect ingredient for body butter and lotions.  Cocoa butter has been around for centuries. Known as the "ultimate moisturizer," cocoa butter absorbs into the skin with ease due to its body temperature melting point.

The cocoa butter creates a shield against the environment, and it is very helpful in the alleviating of psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. It works by holding back the production of immuno globulin which is known to aggravate and accelerate the above mentioned conditions.

This butter will soothe the skin, relieve stress, and help you relax.  It is useful for pregnant women, when used in regular applications, as a formula to help prevent, and ward off stretch marks. The butter has a very nice smell also. It has been said that cocoa butter may also help to ease arthritis and even help to prevent heart disease. Wonderful claims I must say. I really had no idea just how good this butter was for my skin and body. I just enjoyed using it.

SHEA BUTTER

The benefits of Shea Butter have been enjoyed for centuries. Women in Africa have been using shea butter to smooth their skin and hair far longer than their Western counterparts.  Shea butter has tremendous benefits for hair and skin. It comes from the tropics of Africa from the nut of the Karite tree, where the fatty acids are extracted from the the nut container. The quality of the irremovable fatty acid is far more superior to that of the cocoa butter, but unfortunately it can take up to thirty years for a crop to yield the right quality of this fatty acid. It's a wonder they can actually bring it to us at a reasonable price bearing all this in mind.  The women of Africa call it "women's gold" as many on the continent depend on it for their livelihoods.

Shea butter is known especially for its cosmetic properties as a moisturizer and emollient. It is also a known anti-inflammatory agent, although we make no medical claims here! Shea butter is reported by many as being effective at treating the following conditions: fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, severely dry skin, blemishes, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretchmarks, wrinkles, and in lessening the irritation of psoriasis.

Shea butter provides natural ultraviolet sun protection, although the level of protection is extremely variable, ranging from none at all to approximately SPF 6. Shea butter absorbs rapidly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling.  Africans have been enjoying the natural properties of Shea butter for centuries, and they have used it on their hair as a conditioner, and also on their skin for protection against the sun, and the harsh elements of their climate.

Shea butter is a luxurious moisturizer, which leaves the skin feeling silky soft. It works by stimulating the skin's renewal process, thus revealing a more youthful, fresh skin. It is non greasy, and it is used in many expensive skin products. It is also a wonderful, natural conditioner that makes the hair vibrant, while also protecting it from dryness and preventing split ends. It is also the base of many essential oils.  Shea butter works by maintaining the natural oils in our skin, and it can also activate collagen production.

IN CONCLUSION

To wrap up our discussion, I have to say, given the info here, I must profess a penchant, a fondness for shea butter.  Given its natural SPF, healing qualities and richness of moisture, it seems only natural to choose it over cocoa butter.  Both leave you feeling silky soft... and while both are superior moisturizers and healing agents (again no medical claims here!), one can't go wrong with shea butter! 

Please check out our extra rich body butter, goat milk lotions and goat milk soaps with SHEA butter (of course!)  http://bonanzle.com/booths/NeeNeesSoapShop  THANKS!  http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

1 John 4:7

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Shea Butter Suspension Soap Base 2 LBS Life of the Party Sale Price: $10.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Our Natural line of soap bases feature a special suspension formula to keep herbal additives uniformly distributed within the finished soap. 2 lb. brick with measured grid for easy cutting. Soap bases come in a patented storage container with closeable lid to keep your soap fresh. Features Features a special suspension formula to keep herbal additives uniformly distributed. 2 lb. brick with measured grid for easy cutting. Patented storage container with closeable lid.

Therepe Naturals Shea Butter Soap - 6 oz (Green Tea & Ginger) Sale Price: $4.10   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description This naturally creamy soap combines Shea Butter, rich in essential vitamins A, E, & F, to deeply nourish and condition for naturally soft, smooth, beautiful skin. Simply rub the bar directly on wet skin to cleanse and moisturize in one easy step. Features Burn Time - N/A Scent - N/A 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Return Policy.

LAVENDER SHEA BUTTER SOAP Sale Price: $1.00 See Reviews For This Product

Colgate Palmolive #25686 7.5OZ Shea Butter Soap Sale Price: $2.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description 7.5 OZ, Softsoap, Ultra Rich, Shea Butter Moisturizing Hand Soap With Moisture Beads. Features Colgate Palmolive #25686 7.5OZ Shea Butter Soap COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

10 LBS Clear Soap Base by Life of the Party in Resealable Bucket Sale Price: $40.49   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Life of the Party soap bases are made with the finest melt-and-pour formula for soap crafting, made from natural pure vegetable glycerin. Life of the Party soap bases are made with the same formula every time so you know you can rely upon them to be consistent every time you use them. These products raise soap making to the soap-crafting level. Features Resealable Storage Bucket with Handle Melt-and-pour glycerin soap base Contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin E Contains one-third humectant moisturizers to enhance skin softness Resealable bucket with easy carryall handle keeps the soap base fresh and moist while in storage

Homemade Soap with Shea Butter See Reviews For This Product Description Feel Nature in all Her Glory, and Bask in Her Beauty. Use Nature's Beauty. The All Natural Glycerin Soap with Only Natural Oils. It is like a Symphony Playing on Your Skin! You Use it Once, and Your Skin will Crave it Thereafter. Moisturizing, Non-Greasy, No Fragrance, Your Skin Will Love it! Nature's Beauty All Natural Glycerin Soap made with Moisturizing Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Sweet Almond Oil Extract. Moisturize Your Skin While You Bathe. Be Nature's Beauty. You Will Never Want to Use Factory Processed Soap Again! Features Nature's Beauty All Natural Glycerin Soap, 4 oz. Bar Made with Moisturizing and Luxurious Shea Butter Made with Moisturizing and Bubbly Coconut Oil Made with Sweet Almond Oil Extract which is Rich in Proteins and Vitamin D and will Sooth Dry Skin and Irritated Areas Pamper and Soothe Your Skin While You Bathe

Boleks Shea Butter 1 Ounce/Pkg; 3 Items/Order Sale Price: $8.97   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days See Reviews For This Product Description SHEA BUTTER Features Dimensions: 0 in. H x 0 in. W x 0 in. D Weight: 0 ounces Made in -

Hot Dandy: Soy Travel Candle in Honey & Shea 8 ounces Sale Price: $8.50 See Reviews For This Product Description What makes Hot Dandy! so unique? Hot Dandy! is made with soy wax and all natural cotton wicks that do not contain harmful lead. These zinc and lead free wicks are much healthier to use because they dont produce harmful black smoke and soot. Soy candles produce 90% less soot than paraffin candles. Using Soy Wax and Natural Cotton Wicks also contribute to our American Farmers...and thats definitely something to smile about. Highly scented with a 60-80 hour burn time Color Free Vegan Phthalate Free 8 ounces*** Honey and Shea: Blend of Sweet Honey and Fruity Shea Our interpretation: A delicate, floral honey scent followed by notes of a soft, nutty aroma *** Features made with natural soy wax natural cotton wicks zinc and lead free highly fragranced color free, vegan and phthalate free

Trillium Organics Essential Body Kit, Fresh Lime - Cooling Sale Price: $17.98 See Reviews For This Product Description Trillium Herbal Co. Inc. has masterfully blended skin care products are completely free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, and are hand made with Certified Organic Oils and Pure Grade Essential Oils. The Trillium Organics Essential Body Kit is packaged in a gift bag and includes 2 oz. Body Polish, 1 oz. soap, 1 oz. oil and .5 oz. Shea Butter. Your choice of six fragrances: Lavender Geranium, Clementine Clove, Cedar Sage, Pink Grapefruit, Fresh Lime, or Sweet Clementine. Organic Body Soap is made from Saponified Organic Olive, Coconut, and Jojoba Oils. Organic Aloe Vera and Rich Vegetable Glycerin make the soap gentle enough to use daily on the most sensitive skin. Organic Body Polish is what Trillium is known for! Exfoliate, moisturize and protect the skin with this bi-weekly skin renewal treatment. A powerful emollient, Shea Butter can be used alone as a all over body moisturizer, serious dry skin therapy for problem areas, such as knees, elbows, feet or lips. Organic Body Oil will moisturize, massage, replenish the skin with your favorite blend of Organic Body Oil. The oils are excellent upon wet skin straight out of the shower or bath. Treat your skin to the benefits of Trillium Organics. Features Your choice of six fragrances Hand made with organic essential oils Includes 1 oz. soap, 2 oz. body polish, 1 oz. oil, .5 oz. shea butter Packaged in gift bag Treat yourself or makes a great gift