Here at Buttaboxx, many of the skincare and beauty products that we include in your monthly discovery boxes are plant-based, whilst some are also rooted in African traditions and beauty and pampering rituals that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Africa boasts a rich history of skin- and hair-care recipes sourced from the natural ingredients provided by its lush and varied landscape, and oils such as neem, argan and baobab oil are shining examples of this heritage.
- NEEM OIL
Hey, all big city people, this one’s for you. This oil might smell a bit like garlic, but it’s highly rich in antioxidants, which are great for protecting your skin from bad environments and pollution. Neem oil also contains a lot of fatty acids, which are amazing for damaged and dry skin.
- Baobab Oil
Baobab Seed Oil has a high content of vitamins A, D, E, and Essential Fatty Acids, giving it amazing moisturising qualities for both skin and hair. It is also said to be useful for treating scars, stretch marks, and other blemishes.
Baobab Seed Oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the African Baobab tree, also known as the Monkey Bread tree, and has a pale to golden yellow colour.
It is a succulent, which means that during the rainy season it absorbs and stores water in its vast trunk, enabling it to produce a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season when all around is dry and arid. This is how it became known as “The Tree of Life”. Baobab trees grow in 32 African countries.
- ARGAN OIL
Argan oil is a little North African treasure. It’s available in very limited amounts and is thus very expensive, so it’s quite hard to find pure argan oil. However, even mixed with water, this wonderful oil is great for increasing your hair elasticity. Just apply a few drops of this magical ingredient on your palms, rub them together and gently apply the oil on your tresses (or full length for better effect) to improve and nourish damaged and dry hair.
- SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter is a real superfood for your skin! It can be used in many products, such as soaps, lotions, and body butters. Shea butter has been used in Africa for centuries, as a natural UV-protector and body moisturiser. Also, shea butter has been found to reduce inflammation and even fight acne in some cases.
- RHASSOUL CLAY
Rhassoul clay is originally from Morocco, North Africa (just like argan oil) and has some special abilities to nourish the skin and even out its tone. Besides, it is absolutely amazing for hair and skin detox! Rhassoul clay can be used as soap or shampoo or even as a facial mask.
- SUGAR AS EXFOLIATOR
Sugar has been used in Africa for centuries as a natural exfoliator for the skin. The granules can be used to gently exfoliate the skin, smooth away imperfections and reveal the healthy, youthful skin beneath.
- MONGONGO OIL
Mongongo oil is derived from a Sub-Saharan African fruit and contains Vitamin E, which is a great antioxidant (no more aging). Mongongo oil also contains a fair amount of omega 6, fatty acids, calcium, and magnesium. All that is amazing for your hair and even your scalp! Moreover, mongongo oil has been found to treat eczema, so start using it for your skin now.
- GHEE
Ghee is the last but not least African natural ingredient in this list. Ghee is actually for eating, not for applying it on your skin. However, don’t let that scare you away. You might not see immediate effects from ghee, but it’s actually great because it reduces inflammation and improves digestion. As you probably know, many skin issues arise from problems with digestion and gastritis, so if you have any of these, the ghee butter is an ingredient to try. Also, it’s an old tradition in Ethiopia to apply ghee butter on your hair (dark and thick) to make it soft and shiny.
We hope that you learned something new about natural African ingredients for skin and hair and how it can be applied in your daily life to make you look and feel flawless.