SubscribeAlameda Runners is about more than just running, cycling, and maintaining an active lifestyle.
As such, I want to briefly discuss the benefits of shea butter, which is based from the nuts of the African Shea tree. It’s best used for skin care, such as healing scars and skin imperfections, moisturizes the skin, and reduces skin irritations.
There are a wide variety of different shea products, and I’ve owned several products from Essence Unlimited – a small Oakland-based outfit – but have tried other products. I don’t even think Essence Unlimited are out there anymore, so don’t go looking.
However, heading to your local flea market, in Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, or San Francisco, you should be able to find a variety of different products.
I look for the shea butter products that are simple; all of my shea butters I purchase tend to have just shea butter and aloe vera, while any of the added junk simply isn’t necessary. Feel free to purchase products that have added ingredients, but just make sure they are natural – you may find products with root extracts, plant extract, and coconut oil as well.
Shea butter might be something for you to take a look at – you can pick it up at your local flea market, or head to the cosmetic section of a grocery store. You can spend anywhere from $5 up to $50+ for a small container of the skin lotion.
