Sheabutter, Codina - Page Title

	About Dry Skin...
Who has dry Skin? Although dry skin often goes unnoticed until it reaches an advanced stage such as: irritation, ashy appearance, cracking and chapping, or a scaling/ flaking appearance, many people have dry skin which is not as advanced as this. Unknown to many is that your skin is the largest eliminatory organ within your body. It is not just a "case" that holds your body together. It is a living, breathing, vital part of your whole self. So the issue of the skins proper hydration is more than cosmetic, it is a vitally important component of your body's health. The proper care for the skin begins in three places, diet, topical treatment, and lifestyle. The skin is primarily nourished from the inside out. The best lotions, oil, or cream cannot make-up for nutrient deprived skin. In addition to a healthy whole-foods based diet, and plenty of good fluids, certain nutrients are essential for the skins proper health. Specifically the vitamins A, E, and F are needed. A and E are commonly known by many, and vitamin F is often unknown. This vitamin is known as "essential fatty acid", and is crucial for the proper health of the skin. This vitamin is responsible for many things, such as hormone regulation, cell membrane health, and immune function. These very factors determine things such as, stretch marks, age spots, wrinkle formation (tightness), acne/infections, pore size (smoothness), blemishes, and everything else your skin is doing right now. In addition to diet the skin must receive outside care. This includes healthy, valuable, and natural skin care items, such as cold pressed nut and seed butters and oils. The natural oils contain exactly what the skin needs in the way of healing and nourishment. Since mankind has first sought to use medicines on the skin, these have been the source, for they contain the proper vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins, which our body cannot live healthily without. Also it is imperative to not force too much stress upon the skin. This includes prolonged exposed to the sun with out protection, excessive washing of the skin with soap which strips its natural oils, and the use of "non-natural" products and cosmetics on the skin. These synthetic products substitute cheaper inorganic chemicals that "feel nice" but can do more harm than good at the cellular level.
	Shea butter
Codina External skin solutions: Shea Butter is very high in the skin nourishing vitamins. In particular it contains very high amounts of vitamin A, F, and even more so vitamin E. Vitamins A and E nourish the skin and keep it clear and healthy. In addition to this nourishment they also are known to bring cellular healing to skin, including the elimination of scar tissue (think blemishes, scars, etc.) (1). Shea butter is particularly helpful for sun-damaged skin in helping to prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines, and through its anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce wrinkles already present (2). The vitamin F (fatty acid) acts as a skin protector, moisturizer, and rejuvenator, exceptionally soothing rough, dry or chapped skin and helps soften dry or damaged hair. Shea Butter is extremely high in unsaponifiable elements (a type of fat). Shea Butter has between 7-12% unsaponifiables (higher than Avocado oil.) This high level of unsaponifiables is one of the properties that makes Shea Butter so invaluable in treating the conditions listed above. Also, Shea Butter easily penetrates the skin allowing the skin to breathe and not clogging pores. Shea Butter has a high level of cinnamic acid, a natural sunscreen, so it provides some degree of actual protection from the sun, as well as keeping the skin healthy within. 1. Pobeda, Michel. 1999. Shea butter: the revival of an African wonder. Global Cosmetic Industry April 1999: 34-41 2. Topical tocoretinate improved hypertrophic scar, skin sclerosis in systemic sclerosis and morphea. J Dermatol. 1999 Jan; 26(1): 11-7 Properties: unsaponifiable oils 7-12%, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, stigmasterol, cinnamic acid The Plant: Shea Butter comes from the Shea Tree (Butyrospermum parkii Kotsch) a hardy tree not unlike the oak; the Shea tree grows up to 15 to 20 meters high. The tree usually lives for 200+ years and has dark green foliage, which grows dense in the rainy season. It is somewhat common to an oak tree. It is mostly found in West African countries, but some varieties also exist in the eastern parts of Africa. The Process Carefully chosen products allow the production of excellent oil and butter. This is why Codina provid itself with the best African shea nuts. To be processed, the nuts are going through an horizontal press. A big conic screw leads the nuts toward a more and more narrow mouth, crushing the nuts to obtain the precious liquid. There is no contact with water, unlike the local home made process where the butter is expressed in boiling water. African artisanal Sheabutter produced by locals is more colorful with a stronger odor. Mechanical cold press is better to preserve cinnamic acid, streols and vitamins. This is the genuine mechanical cold press. Codina Internal Skin Solutions. Although many oils are vitally important for rich, smooth, health skin there are three, which have some exceptionally nourishing qualities; Pumpkin seed oil, Black Cumin oil, Black Currant seed oil. If your skin is dry, these oils taken internally will help to bring the moisture, suppleness, and clear skin you are searching for.
	Your questions about dry skin condition
Hi there! I have been suffering from dry skin for a few years now, and I am in my late 40's. I have edema on my feet, and diabetes (so its making my skin even dryer than normal). I heard about the greatness of Shea Butter and I am looking for a lotion that is NOT greasy and penetrates deep into the skin....... I do believe your Shea butter does this, correct? Also, I see you have certain oils there...... I am confused as to apply them externally, or use them as a vitamin type of supplement (taking them orally). Can you elaborate please! Codina's answer: Hello, thanks for your question. Yes many people are discovering that the ancient Shea Butter and Oil are one of the best treatments for dry skin. Shea Butter absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, while its tiny molecules can penetrate deep into the skin, resorting elasticity and moisture. Also regarding diabetes, it is essential, as you may know, to maintain proper cellular hydration and antioxidant protection. For this it is recommended to use both, topical oil or lotion, as well as an internal remedy. Internally a wonderful oil would be the Black Cumin Seed oil, which in addition to nourishing and "moisturizing" your skin from the inside out will also help to protect the cells from the dangerous oxidation possible with diabetes, by keeping the blood more balanced. (1) This combination will probably take care of the dry skin completely, and you may notice relief from the edema, and some of the diabetes symptoms as well. (1) The hypoglycemic effect of Nigella sativa oil is mediated by extrapancreatic actions. Planta Med. 2002 May;68(5):465-6. *how can I get info for, dry skin, age spots, sensitive skin, sun damage and spider veins on legs. I'm 62 years of age.* Codina's answer: Hello, and thanks for your inquiry. Have a look at our website, as we have some information on the subjects you are asking about. At this time in your life the skin can easily start to show dryness, age spots, spider veins, and for some sun damage, and an increase in sensitivity. The approach to healing should be two-fold, that is internal and external remedies. Nutritionally, or internally the Black Currant Seed oil which is very high in the (Omega 3 and 6 oils) has been used to address dry skin, spider veins, and age spots both directly within the cells and blood vessels, and also in keeping your bodies hormones in a healthy balance, which may be the root cause of some of these issues. Topically the Shea butter is probably the best solution. As mentioned the Shea butter has many curative properties, including vitamins that are know to heal sun damage, and possibly age spots. In addition the Shea is very moisturizing, and with this moist nourishment, also anti-inflammatory properties, which may help tremendously with the spider veins. *I have dry and sun damaged skin, what product do you recommend?* Codina's answer: While dry and sun damaged skin are becoming more common these days the treatment is still the same. The best remedies for this type of condition are again two-fold, that is internal and external. The reason is that the skin like the rest of the body is composed of millions of tiny cells. These cells are dynamic, and while they determine the health of the body as a whole, it is the body that is responsible for making healthy cells. When skin cells are damaged it is imperative for the body to have what it needs to start making healthy cells again, and not more bad ones. That said internally the Black cumin oil is perfect with its blend of antioxidants, and vitamin A. In addition it has a very rich composure of the EFA's needed for the skin to come back into a healthy state. Externally I would definitely use a combination of Shea, which is very rich in karitenes, and Carrot oil which I extremely rich in carotenoids. Both of the components are well know for their ability of skin repair, protection, and proper health, and with some people have done so overnight. It is actually possible with the use of this three-fold combination to heal the skin such that no trace of sun damage exists.
NEW! Forum Codina: Dry skin, Baby and Pregnancy, Scars and spots.
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