Body Lotions and Creams: What Makes Calendula and Shea Butter the Ideal Ingredients

When it comes to choosing a body cream or lotion for yourself or as a gift for your mum or someone else, usually it is the smell that we mostly feel attracted to. Unfortunately, it is the smell we should stay away from because it’s usually obtained from synthetic fragrances which can be extremely dangerous.

So, when in the search for a body cream or lotion, it’s always better to opt for natural ingredients that are both moisturising and pleasantly smelly. And the most effective ingredients for this are calendula and Shea butter. Used for centuries in treating lots of skin conditions, applying them on the skin on a daily basis in the form of body moisturizers can be a game-changer for your personal care routine.

Calendula – Soothing and Healing

Did you know that calendula is one of the rare flowers known for their medical, culinary and gardening benefits?! Yup, that’s right, it’s a plant that can really do it all, which makes it essential to have it at home whether in the form of body lotion or tea.

Although calendula is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, it can be found around the world. Its antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it one of the strongest natural ingredients for healing. So, yeah, it’s not strange that calendula is one of the most popular ingredients in body cream products, shampoos, soaps, body lotions and other skincare products. It is so gentle yet effective that makes it appropriate for baby skincare products. Even renowned companies like Weleda use it in their baby skincare cosmetic lines.

What Calendula is most well-known for is its healing properties. Calendula is so potent that it can treat any type of wound like a cut, a blister, a cold sore, bruise, insect bite, burn etc. It works by keeping the wound clean while also helping the new tissue to grow faster. When it comes to its cosmetic use, calendula is the best ingredient for keeping the skin hydrated and moisturised.

That said, calendula creams and lotions area used for relieving many types of skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, dry, itchy and irritated skin thanks to its ability to promote the production of collagen. This ingredient is so safe and effective that it can be used on a daily basis by people of all ages.

Another less-known benefit of this potent plant is its amazing effectiveness in reducing wrinkles. That is because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds which can protect the human skin cells from oxidative stress. This is another reason why you should think about incorporating calendula moisturizers in your daily skincare routine.

Shea Butter – Nourishing and Good for Acne-Prone Skin

Shea butter is an ingredient that comes from the kernels of shea trees in sun-Saharan Africa. Although parts of the shea tree were famous for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties for treating ulcers and nasal congestion, this product is used for skin problems as well. In fact, there are many reasons why shea butter is used in skincare products and face moisturisers, and the main one is that it softens and hydrates the skin. Besides this, shea butter can also protect the skin from damage from the environment and the main reason for this are its several types of fatty acids like stearic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids.

Because shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties, it is great for soothing and nourishing inflamed, damaged and burned skin. This makes shea butter great for people with psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, etc. Because it’s rich in fatty acids, shea butter can soften the damaged tissue and speed up the scar-healing process. So, it’s not strange that shea butter is one of the main ingredients in scar-healing products.

In case you have acne-prone skin, shea butter can also help you with your problems. How come, you might wonder?! Well, the fact is that oily skin tends to produce more sebum when the skin is dry. This results in clogged pores which leads to acne and breakouts. Fortunately, shea butter in face products can prevent the skin from drying out, so the face will start producing less sebum.

The last but not least benefit of using shea butter on a daily basis is its anti-aging properties that will keep the skin moisturised and glowing. And that is all thanks to its antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin A, as well as some antioxidants that are similar to the ones found in green tea. Its overall combination of components can help in neutralizing free radical damage which results in reducing wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. It can also stimulate collagen production that is great for reversing the signs of ageing from the inside out and vice versa.