My mom used to make soap and body products,and Shea butter was one of the main ingredients that she used. I loved having it in the house because it’s so easy to scoop out a bit and rub it on a dry patch. She gave up her business a few years ago, after she broke her leg, and never really got back into it. I’ve missed having all the “raw” ingredients at my disposal, so I was pretty happy to get the opportunity to review Cleopatra’s Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter. I was even more stoked when I received an entire pound of it! A little goes a long way, so this will last me a very long time.

About Cleopatra’s Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter

Cleopatra’s Choice uses pure, organic, Fair-Trade, Grade A Shea butter imported from Ghana, Africa. It naturally contains Vitamins A, E, and F (okay, I didn’t even know there was a Vitamin F, so I learned something new already!), all of which are excellent for your skin. The butter is super gentle, so you can use it anywhere on your body, although I would recommend spot-testing before slathering it on your face. It’s even gentle enough for a baby’s skin (again, spot test it, because even the gentlest skin-care product can cause a reaction in some people).  I can’t stress enough that a little bit goes a long way. I’ve been using it for about two weeks now, and I’ve only put a small dent in the jar. I use it after getting out of the shower so that it sort of melts into my skin.

The Many Uses of Shea Butter

Wondering what you can do with this giant tub of Shea butter? Here are a few examples of how you can use it:

• Slather it on those dry, cracked heels. This is probably my #1 use for Shea butter. It really does make a huge difference. Bonus- you get to give yourself a mini-massage as you rub it into your feet. Sure, it’s not as relaxing as having someone else do it, but hey, it’s still nice!
• Help prevent stretch marks. I know everyone always turns to cocoa butter for this, but Shea butter works just as well, if not better.
• Promote healing of cuts and burns. Shea butter may help reduce scarring from cuts and burns. Just don’t go applying it to open wounds, okay? That’s never a good idea, no matter how many sources say it’s safe for that purpose.
• Use it on your hair.  Shea butter is supposed to be really nourishing for dry, damaged hair, and mine is definitely getting dry now that I started using a flat iron. Just make sure you melt the Shea butter in a cup in the microwave before putting it on your head. Yes, I learned this lesson the hard way when I tried to slap a glob in my hair and work it through to no avail. Yes, I am lacking in common sense sometimes, so no, I don’t need anyone to point that out.
• Moisturize! I saved the most obvious use for last. Use Shea Butter as an all-over moisturizer to help stave off wrinkles and restore elasticity to your skin.

Bottom line- I am totally in love with Cleopatra’s Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter. It works great, absorbs well, and lasts practically for an eternity. At $17.00 per one-pound tub, it’s a great deal.