A thin layer of shea butter can be used to treat acne.
You can use shea butter to fight acne by first washing your face with a medicated cleanser and then applying a thin layer of raw shea butter to breakout-prone skin areas. Many dermatologists recommend leaving shea butter on your skin for about eight hours before washing it off your face. Shea butter is a natural fat derived from the nut of the shea tree that grows in the savannahs of Africa. It can be helpful in treating and preventing acne due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The best type of shea butter for acne does not contain additives, such as dyes or fragrances, which can sometimes further irritate sensitive skin.
Raw soaps made with shea butter can help absorb excess oil and heal existing acne.
The type of cleanser you use for acne can be very important in treating the condition. You must remove excess oil and trapped bacteria for the shea butter treatment to be effective. If you have oily skin, common in younger acne sufferers, skincare experts often recommend a cleanser with salicylic acid. Adult acne sufferers often need a different cleanser with a lower concentration of acne medication because the skin is more prone to drying out. Shea butter can be especially helpful here because it absorbs into the skin and provides moisture without further clogging pores.
In most cases, a medicated cleanser should be used before applying shea butter products.
Unrefined shea butter soap is another alternative if your skin doesn’t respond well to acne-fighting cleansers with salicylic acid. This type of soap lacks the mineral oils and added moisturizers found in refined shea butter products typically used as body moisturizers. Pure shea butter soap can often help remove excess oil and heal existing acne blemishes. Some acne sufferers report that unrefined shea butter soap can be a bit drying, so applying a gentle facial moisturizer for acne-prone skin may be necessary.
Drinking plenty of water can help keep your skin hydrated and reduce the appearance of acne.
After your skin is clean and dry, dermatologists recommend applying fresh shea butter with a small sponge normally used to apply makeup. Rubbing in shea butter with your fingers can be counterproductive, as it generally introduces more sebum and bacteria to breakouts. Using a clean makeup sponge avoids this problem. It is also important not to touch your face after applying a layer of shea butter for acne. If you decide to leave the shea butter for acne on overnight, many dermatologists recommend waiting until the skin at least partially absorbs the shea butter so it doesn’t transfer to your sheets or pillowcases.