There are a lot of products out there that keep your skin healthy, reduce signs of aging, treat blemishes, and more. One of the products that should have a permanent spot on your bathroom shelf is shea butter.
Hugely popular throughout the world for its moisturizing qualities, shea butter has also the ability to soothe eczema and many other frustrating skin conditions. Many people are also loving shea butter because it helps with acne.
But did you know that shea butter does have SPF (sun protective factor)? Yes, when you use shea butter as a moisturizer on your skin it gives you protection against the sun.
But can you use shea butter as sunscreen?
Shea Butter Sun Protection and SPF Properties
Shea butter is a one-stop ingredient in skin care products thanks to its moisturizing ability. The raw, natural form can be found in various cosmetics products and has multiple benefits.
According to various studies, shea butter also has natural sunscreen properties. This sounds great, right.
However, the average sun protection factor of shea butter is only 3 to 6. The numbers are different for each shea butter.
Can Shea Butter Be Used as Sunscreen?
Shea is a fantastic natural moisturizer that has a sun protection factor as a bonus. Unfortunately, the SPF is lower than the recommended minimum of 15, so the shea butter doesn’t offer sufficient enough UV protection.
This simply means, if you want to use shea butter as sunscreen, you have to use additional sunscreen with broad spectrum UVB and UVA protection with an SPF of at least 15.
We know it can get exciting to hear that butter can be used as a sunscreen alternative, but we would recommend just using sunscreen. Especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. And don’t forget, that UV rays can penetrate glass and windows so it is recommended to wear SPF 30 even if you spent most of your day indoors.
And one more thing. Sunscreens are regulated, so you know exactly how much sunscreen protection you get with each product and how often you should reapply it for the most protection.
Better Shea Butter 100% Raw Unrefined Organic Shea Butter
If you like pure, raw materials then the Better Shea Butter is the next best thing to just growing the plant and making it yourself. This is just a solid block of pure shea butter and one of the best shea butter products for men (not only men) on the market.
Jack Black Sun Guard Sunscreen
Jack Black makes fantastic lotions and skin care products for men, and Sun Guard is an oil-free, non-greasy sunscreen ideal for use with both day-to-day and outdoor activities.
Is Shea Butter a Natural Sun Protectant?
Shea butter is a natural sun protectant because it has an SPF of around 3-7. Shea butter has one of the highest SPF’s in the plant world, which makes it a good option for people who are prone to sunburns. However, it is always recommended to use standard sunscreen protection. Do not use shea butter alone.
What Can be Used Instead of Sunscreen?
If you’re worried about the dangerous effects of sunscreen, there are some alternatives that you can use to protect your skin.
Many people are turning to personal care products that offer a natural alternative to sunscreen to avoid the chemicals found in many traditional sunscreens. However, if you looking for an organic alternative, you should know that coconut oil, aloe vera, sesame oil, almond oil or olive oil, are natural sun protectants.
Is Shea Butter Good for Sun Tanning?
While many people believe that shea butter is good for sun tanning, it actually has the opposite effect. Shea butter is high in omega-3 fatty acids and these fatty acids have an SPF of 3-7. This means that when you apply shea butter, it will make your skin less sun-sensitive and less likely to get a sunburn.
Can I Use Shea Butter on My Face During the Day?
Yes, it is fine to use shea butter on your face during the day. The only thing you need to be careful about is applying too much, as this can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Is Shea Butter Good for Summer?
There are a lot of benefits to using shea butter, but it is not recommended for summer. Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and it will just leave your skin greasy and shiny. For summer you should use lighter oils that are more easily rubbed into the skin.
If you want to learn more about shea butter and its benefits here are 4 ways shea butter and shea butter creams can change your skin and hair forever.