How Shea Butter Benefits Health

Benefits Scarring

Shea butter is also reported to help with scarring. In a 2011 trial, shea butter was one of several substances used to assess effects on keloid fibroblasts. Shea butter, along with the other substances, was found to inhibit the growth of the fibroblasts. Researchers believe shea butter benefits scarring by promoting skin regeneration.

Besides being a major source of vitamins, shea butter is rich in fatty acids, which consist of linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic acid. One study showed oleic acid helped inhibit the proliferation of scar fibroblasts. On the other hand, it inhibited the proliferation of normal fibroblasts. In another study, a solution containing oleic acid was found to be more effective than a tranilast in treating hypertrophic and keloid scars in rats. A recent study from 2017 focused on the effects of combined oleic and linoleic acids on non-hypertrophic scars and stretch marks. The participants who had scars applied the solution for eight weeks. The solution reduced the appearance of scars in most participants.

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Soothes Eczema

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter soothes eczema. Eczema refers to patches on the skin that are swollen, red, flaky, and itchy. Shea butter acts as an emollient, making the skin soft. Shea butter's benefits for sensitive skin are shown in a 2006 study documenting the effects of a nonsteroidal barrier repair cream containing shea butter as one of the ingredients. The study featured 218 adults with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. The participants applied the cream three times daily for fifty days. Results led researchers to conclude the cream was a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

Promising results are also shown in a different study from 2016. The study emphasized the effects of a moisturizer also including shea butter as an ingredient. Participants with mild to moderate eczema were asked to apply the moisturizer three times per day for two weeks. They saw great improvement in symptoms such as itching, skin appearance, and dryness.

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