Unlike other oils, Shea Butter is more than just an emollient, it’s actually an active ingredient. This is due to its unique essential fatty acid structure and the fact that Shea Butter’s EFA’s have the highest percentage of unsaponifiable compounds found in nature. It also naturally contains Vitamin A (retinol) which has been proven to stimulate the growth of smooth, supple skin.

The following two studies (F Renard: Thése de doctorat en Pharmacie – Bordeaux 1990) demonstrate Shea Butter’s ability to improve the appearance of wrinkles and other visual skin conditions as well as the healing abilities with respect to certain skin ailments.

A clinical study has been performed on 30 volunteers aged 29 to 82. Shea Butter was applied by a daily massage as a balm for 4 to 8 months.

Various skin conditions have shown major improvements:
- epidermis aspect: in a few weeks, the rough aspect of a dull - grayish complexion was eliminated, giving way to a smoother, clearer skin
- combating skin “thinning” for better skin texture: a regenerating effect is observed probably related to the action of the unsaponifiables that are known to reactivate collagen synthesis.s aspect: in a few weeks, the rough aspect of a dull - grayish complexion was eliminated, giving way to a smoother, clearer skin
- wrinkles from photoaging due to prolonged sun exposure are visibly diminished in half of the volunteers

Shea Butter proves to be a valuable active for diminishing various aging signs.Another clinical study was performed for studying dry, delicate or aging skin. 49 volunteers applied twice a day either 15% or pure Shea Butter. Both products lead to similar results:

- A cicatrizing action was observed in 70% of cases concerning hand dermatitis, sun burns and scars
- A reduction in wrinkles and an improvement of skin suppleness was obtained for 75% of the volunteers

Shea Butter demonstrates regenerating properties that target it towards photoaging prevention.

TruShea’s only other substantial (more than 1%) ingredient is Jojoba oil, which has also proven in studies to improve suppleness and reduce wrinkles. In dermatological studies done by Christensen and Packman, it was shown that jojoba oil increases the skin's suppleness by 45% and after 8 hours the effect was still present. It was also found that jojoba oil softens and smoothes the skin while reducing fine lines. In one test 20 women's skin compliance increased 37% after 30 minutes and remained so enhanced for a hour. Continued use of jojoba oil resulted in the reduction of superficial facial lines. Reduction of such lines was 26%, 18% and 11% after 1, 4 and 8 hours, respectively.

Finally, the Vitamin E found naturally in Shea Butter is supplemented in TruShea by the addition of pure Vitamin E. In addition to the anti-oxidant properties of Vitamin E the following study demonstrates its effectiveness in combating fine lines and wrinkles.

Mayer, P., Pittermann, W. and Wallat, S. The Effects of Vitamin E on the Skin. – Cosmetics and Toiletries 108:99-109, 1993. In a study of 20 women between 42 and 64 years of age, over one-half of the subjects showed a significant reduction in wrinkling and roughness associated with photoaging on the eyelid treated daily with the Vitamin E containing cream for 4 weeks compared to the eyelid treated with placebo cream. The researchers noted that their results clearly showed that topical use of natural Vitamin E induced smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles in a sensitive area of the face.

Several studies have revealed that Shea Butter has UV anti-erythemic activity, which helps tissue cell regeneration and softening of the skin (Tran, T., Parfumes, Cosmétiques et Arômes, 58, 65-66, 1986). Clinical research has also indicated that Shea Butter increases local capillary circulation which in turn increases tissue re-oxygenation and improves the elimination of metabolic waste products. A natural anti-oxidant agent, B-amyrine and tocopherols protect the double bond of the oil as a whole and the unsaponifiable compounds in particular. This makes Shea Butter a truly fantastic anti-ageing topical.

Finally, damage from the sun produces free radicals, which in turn increases the rate at which skin ages and can even become cancerous. Shea Butter’s natural UV protection helps minimize potential sun damage, while the antioxidants found in Shea Butter and Vitamin E help to eliminate these free radicals and stop and/or reverse this premature aging.