Kokum Butter vs. Shea Butter: Which One Is Better For You?

Kokum butter is a type of palm butter used in many traditional dishes from the Indian subcontinent, including khichuri and curry. Kokum butter has recently been getting a lot of buzz as an alternative to conventional shea butter, which has been known to be less healthy than many other kinds of butter. Kokum butter contains more nutrients and less sodium than would otherwise be found in conventional Shea Butter (sodium content), so it is an attractive option for consumers who want natural ingredients or those who have sensitivities to Shea Butter altogether. If you're familiar with shea butter, you likely already know that this butter is extracted from peeled kernels of the Shea tree nut.

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The end product is then whipped up into a creamy, silky substance and sold as a cosmetic or skincare product. Shea Butter has become popular because of its moisturizing effect on the skin as well as its anti-inflammatory properties. However, there have been questions surrounding the supply of Shea Butter. To get the best quality product, you need fresh-squeezed shea nuts which are only harvested for three months per year in Western Africa.

Benefits of using kokum butter:

1) For haircare

Kokum butter contains amino acids and proteins that help to keep hair healthy, strong, and resistant to environmental stresses. These properties also make kokum butter a very useful ingredient in hair care products which claim to restore thick, healthy hair.

2) For the face

Aside from the moisturizing effects kokum butter can potentially provide for your skin due to its natural fatty acids, it is also rich in vitamins A, E, and F which help nourish the skin from within. Also, it has been said that kokum butter provides an anti-aging effect on the face because it inhibits the activity of enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases which cause wrinkles.

3) For a healthy body

Kokum butter can also help you keep your body in shape. It contains unsaturated fatty acids that are associated with lowering cholesterol levels and that also help to regulate the balance of good and bad fats in the body which helps to prevent obesity and other cardiovascular diseases.

4) For nails

Kokum butter also contains essential fatty acids that help to keep nails healthy. Furthermore, it is also said that kokum butter helps to strengthen and grow the nails naturally. Kokum butter contains tallow, which is a fat known to help strengthen nails. Kokum butter is available in India and is used in the preparation of homemade cosmetic and skincare products like facemasks and lip balms. Even though it comes from the same tree as shea butter, it is entirely different from the Shea Butter we are all familiar with.

5) For weight loss

Kokum butter contains gallic acid which is known to inhibit the activity of an enzyme called Amylase. Amylase is the enzyme that is responsible for converting carbohydrates into glucose and starches. This process is the primary source of energy in the body. Since gallic acid inhibits the activity of this enzyme, carbohydrates are converted into energy at a slower rate which leads to losing weight.

6) For scars and pigmentation

Kokum butter is known to have auspicious qualities and bestows you with good luck. Kokum butter also has antiseptic properties, the properties of which are used to treat scars. Kokum butter has also been known to treat pigmentation, dark spots, and discoloration, which are normally associated with Melasma (overproduction of melanin in the skin).

7) For cough

Kokum butter can help to make coughs more bearable since it helps to constrict the mucous membranes in your throat which are responsible for coughing. Containing both Vitamin E and alpha-linolenic acid, kokum butter is known to help relieve congestion and ease your respiratory system.

Benefits of using shea butter:

1) For haircare

Shea Butter is an excellent addition to hair care products because of its moisturizing qualities. It helps to combat hair damage like split ends and breakage. Coconut oil and shea butter can also be combined to make hair more manageable through its lubricating effect on the hair.

2) For face

Like kokum butter, Shea Butter can be used to treat scars and pigmentation on your face because it helps to promote skin renewal and reduce discoloration and healing. It is also anti-inflammatory and has a good therapeutic value.

3) For muscle pain

Shea Butter is also an effective ingredient in products that help relieve muscle pain. It contains a high concentration of stearic acid which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.

4) For weight loss

Like kokum butter, shea butter is also rich in vitamins and fatty acids that promote weight loss. In addition, it contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to ensure faster healing from colds and other diseases where inflammation occurs with some regularity.

5) For the skin

Shea Butter has been used as an ingredient in skin care products for decades because of its unique emollient properties. It is very effective in moisturizing dry, cracked skin, especially when one switches to a more natural lifestyle that involves the use of less synthetic skincare products. 

6) For the scalp

Shea Butter is also very useful in hair care products like shampoos and conditioners, but it is traditionally used in African hair products to treat dandruff. Shea butter can be rubbed on the scalp which helps stimulate the production of healthy hair.

7) For nails

Shea Butter has been used by women in African countries as an ingredient in homemade cosmetics to treat their nails. It makes nails stronger, resistant to breaking, and prevents nails from peeling.

How do we use Kokum Butter and shea butter? 

Kokum Butter (Kokam): Kokum butter can also be used in small amounts by itself as a facial moisturizer for dry skin or as a body moisturizer. It is used in Indian cosmetic salves and creams, as well as in the preparation of homemade skincare products. Kokum Butter is an excellent addition to skincare products, like lip balm and hand cream. It is also added to make Homemade beauty products.

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Shea Butter (Shekam): Shea Butter can be applied topically or orally for body care, hair care, and facial scrubs. Shea butter can be used on the face or body, but it's most commonly used on dry skin such as elbows, heels, and heels because of its moisturizing benefits. We also use it in our homemade products like balms or lotions.

FAQs: 

1) Can you use kokum and shea butter on children?

Yes, you can use Kokum Butter and Shea Butter on children. Kokum Butter is an excellent moisturizer for dry and slightly damaged skin. Shea Butter is also excellent for moisturizing, healing, and hair care.

2) Are kokum butter & shea butter edible? 

>No, they are not edible. But you can use it as a base for your Homemade cosmetics like lotions or creams. They are both natural emollients and will soften facial skin without leaving behind any greasy marks on the face.