In The Fight Against Stretch Marks, Shea Butter Gives Cocoa Butter A Run For The Money!
Pregnancy and Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are an unsightly blight most commonly associated with pregnancy, sudden weight gain, bodybuilding, and growth spurts. As the skin stretches in keeping with the body’s need for expansion, the underlying layers are not as capable of keeping up with the demand of elasticity, and thus sooner or later the dermis may tear in several places. This is most commonly observed on the thighs, buttocks, upper arms and also the breast area. While much is said about proper skin care in an effort to prevent stretch marks from forming in the first place, even the best skin care regimen is no iron clad guarantee against the eventual showing of these blemishes. Many commercially available creams and lotions claim to be able to reverse stretch marks – a claim which is impossible, since they are generated in the dermis – or at least lessen their visibility, yet no substance is considered to be as effective as shea butter.
Shea butter is a fatty extract from the shea tree which is at home in Africa’s arid regions. Locally used as a cooking fat, cosmetic applications have found a spot for it in a number of different products. While in the past cocoa butter was hailed as the number one fat base for emollients as well as moisturizers, the many healing properties associated with the shea tree extract have begun to slowly but gradually supplant the former. At this point in time you will most likely find shea butter in lotions made for the treatment of eczema, rashes and even rashes. A wide variety of skin blemishes may be treated with shea butter containing creams, and even the most severely dried and cracked skin will benefit from the use of this substance.
Since it is entirely absorbed by the skin without leaving the greasy patina associated with the use of baby oil or even olive oil, it has become a favorite for those on the go who do not have long hours of application and lounging in order to enable the substance to go to work in the skin itself. Fading of scars and stretch marks is associated with shea butter in higher concentration, and in part the latter is accomplished because of the sun protection quality the extract offers to the user. Granted, it is not a substitute for a high quality sun block, but in addition to using sunscreen, it is part of a most thorough skin care regimen.
Unfortunately because of the limited availability, the price of cosmetics containing shea butter may at times be rather higher than the cost of similar products containing cocoa butter. This persuades some to not pursue the use of this ingredient as an integral part of their skin care; unfortunately, this will not permit consumers to appreciate the full long term benefits available to them. Savvy shopping, label comparisons, and taking advantage of sales associated with products containing high quality shea butter are some of the ways that those in the know have learned to utilize this substance in the fight against stretch marks and other skin blemishes.
