Maintaining strong, healthy hair especially for those of us with dry, frizzy hair can be a daunting task. You want to make sure you're not exposing that hair to too much heat too. You want to keep a fresh and hydrated scalp. You want to seal in moisture, without coating hair too thickly. It's a lot to think about. Hence, a multi-use, nutrient-dense ingredient works best. And shea butter could be that ideal choice. The butter is made from the fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. It has long been a staple for those with curly, frizzy hair and is even a great hydrator for your skin too. So, what are some of the best ways to use this star ingredient for your hair? We get you all the scoop!
Swirlster Picks Shea Butter Based Haircare Products For You
Benefits Of Using Shea Butter For Haircare
1. To Fight Dandruff And Scalp Irritation
Shea butter has been used for centuries to soothe dry itchy scalp or dandruff. It's also a great source to provide moisture for dry or damaged hair. It absorbs easily into the scalp and it does not clog the pores. It provides moisture from the roots down to the ends. It is therefore extremely beneficial to hair that is relaxed, coloured, or heat-treated.
2. As A Smoothener For Frizzy Hair
Coarse, dry, or frizzy hair is no match for shea butter. If your hair always tends to get frizzy once it's dry or just feels more unmanageable than usual, use shea butter to touch up problem spots or taking your frizz halo down a notch with it. Shea butter is frequently found in curly hair treatments because of its emolliating qualities. This makes it excellent for locking in moisture without leaving your hair greasy and heavy.
3. Protection Against Heat
Shea butter does not sit on the hair, instead, it absorbs into the hair strand or shaft without leaving a greasy or heavy feel. However, it does coat the hair shaft so that it is protected against damage from the heat tool being passed along the hair.
4. Mends Split Ends
Though you cannot revive hair with split ends, you can surely make them look healthier and protect them from further damage. Shea butter when added to the ends of your hair, gives hair strands a boost of hydration and ample healthy nutrients while improving the hair look.
How To Use Shea Butter For Haircare?
1. To Soothe Scalp
Meltdown shea butter in a bowl over boiling water. Once it has cooled to a reasonable temperature, spread it onto your fingertips and apply in small amounts directly onto your scalp. Rub in a circular motion. You can add drops of tea tree oil for an extra soothing sensation.
2. As A Sealant
You can use it alone or you can add it to your favourite conditioner to give you extra moisture. It's also a great additive for shampoos and hair creams.
3. As Heat Protector
You can melt it down and combine it with another natural oil, such as grapeseed oil or avocado oil. You can even add it to a moisturiser spray to spray it on easily to your hair.
4. As A Hair Mask
Take a small-sized cup and mix 1 tablespoon of shea butter and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and melt them in a microwave. Once it has cooled down, add 1 teaspoon of argan oil and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. With a hand mixer, whip the mixture and apply it onto your clean hair and run a comb through it for even distribution.
Which Hair Type Can Use Shea Butter?
Not every ingredient or hair care tip is correct for everyone. It's an entire trial and error process. Many hair types can tolerate thicker oils, while others may find it not enough. The same applies to shea butter too.
Since shea butter is very rich, if applied at the root on thin hair, it can leave hair appearing greasy and flat. Instead, apply a small amount to just the ends to reap the moisturizing benefits without the weight.
Overusing shea butter can often lead your hair to look and feel greasy. People with extremely dry or curly hair require a good amount of moisture which can be used with the help of shea butter.
If you are specifically looking for hair care, then unrefined shea butter works the best. Processed shea butter can take on different forms.
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