Shea Butter Benefits: My Go-To Natural Skincare
There’s a little jar that always sits on my dresser, golden, buttery, and just waiting to be used. If you’ve ever tried real shea butter, you know exactly what I mean. It smells earthy and nutty, melts in your hands, and somehow works magic on your skin.
I’ve been using shea butter for years, and even now in my 70s, it’s my go-to for keeping my skin soft, hydrated, and happy.
Why I Use Shea Butter
Our skin changes as we age. It gets drier, thinner, and sometimes a little temperamental. I’ve tried fancy creams, but I always come back to raw shea butter. The benefits? Hydration, nourishment, and soothing irritated skin, and all from something completely natural.
For me, it’s more than theory. When I’m in Africa during the dry season, my forearms sometimes get sunburned and itchy. I rub a little shea butter on, and it melts into my skin, calming the irritation and soothing the rash. During cold winter months in the U.S., my lips get chapped. A tiny dab of shea butter keeps them soft all day. And when my knees ache from arthritis, massaging a bit deeply into the sore spots helps me get back to walking comfortably.
I even keep a small tin in my bag to dab on my hands throughout the day. It’s like a little portable hug for my skin.
Raw vs. Refined Shea Butter
Not all shea butter is created equal. Many commercial products use refined shea butter, which removes the scent, color, and, unfortunately, some of the nutrients that make it so valuable. Unrefined shea butter, the kind I use, keeps all the vitamins, fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory properties intact.
It usually comes in shades of yellow or ivory, with a nutty aroma. It melts with the warmth of your hands, absorbs easily, and leaves skin soft, never greasy. Refined versions are bright white, often odorless, and sometimes have preservatives or added fragrances. They look good on a shelf but, in my opinion, lose much of the natural goodness.
Women’s cooperatives in West Africa have been producing raw shea butter for generations. Using it connects you not just to your own skin’s health but to tradition and communities around the world.
Everyday Uses
Here’s how I use shea butter daily:
- Forearms and legs: Soothes sunburn and dry patches.
- Chapped lips: Winter or dry season, a dab keeps them soft.
- Feet and heels: Perfect for dry spots that need a little extra love.
- Knees: Massage in when they ache, it helps with swelling and stiffness.
- Hands: Tiny tin in my purse for on-the-go hydration.
It’s solid at room temperature but softens quickly in your hands. A little goes a long way, and once it’s absorbed, it leaves the skin supple and smooth. You don’t need to keep reapplying every hour like some lotions with lots of added water.
Why Raw Shea Butter Works
Raw shea butter is packed with vitamins A and E, fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory properties. It protects, moisturizes, and helps heal minor cuts, rashes, or irritated skin. For aging skin that produces less natural oil, it’s a simple, natural way to stay supple and hydrated.
Some people don’t love the earthy scent. I do. It fades quickly and feels so much better than absorbing extra chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
A Simple, Natural Luxury
Using raw shea butter isn’t just good for the skin, it’s good for the soul. It’s a small, natural luxury that connects you to centuries of tradition. One jar lasts a long time, and a little goes a long way. I buy mine in bulk when I travel to Ghana and divide it into small tins for easy use every day.
If you’ve never tried it, consider adding raw shea butter to your routine. Experience the natural benefits for soft, hydrated, healthy skin, and maybe a little peace of mind knowing it’s simple, natural, and authentic.
Check out my Mary’s Picks page for my favorite source of pure, unrefined shea butter. And for more details on the benefits of shea butter, here’s a Cleveland Clinic article you might find interesting.
Living Fully and Aging Gracefully at 70
Human beings are funny. Even though we know we won’t be here forever, we still act like we’re immortal. I just turned 70, and doing the math… maybe ten to fifteen “good” years left, if I’m lucky. God willing, because honestly, nobody’s promised tomorrow.
Ten to fifteen years. That’s it. What do I want to do with them? Looking back, the last decade has been packed with work, work, work. Preoccupied. Overcommitted. Lately, I’ve been trying to dial down the “work mode” and turn up the “enjoyment mode” while still making a few dollars on the side, because a little extra never hurts. I want to help people while I’m still here, but I don’t want to spend every moment in grind mode. This is my journey toward living fully and aging gracefully.
Reflections on Life and Mortality
This reflection got more intense when I was watching a show I love, Escape to the Country, where people try to buy homes in the UK. One of the hosts shared something heavy: He had terminal cancer in his 40s and decided to stop everything to spend his remaining time with his family. Sadly, he has since passed.
It made me pause and ask: What if that were me? What if you suddenly got a life-limiting diagnosis? How would you want to spend the rest of your time? These questions are sobering, but they remind us of why it’s so important to live fully and age gracefully.
Aging Isn’t a Disease
Then there’s all the nonsense about a “cure for aging.” Come on! Aging isn’t a disease. It’s a natural part of life, a step along the journey, not something to be “cured.” And I absolutely hate the term “anti-aging.” Anti-aging? Really? Aging is just another phase, like adolescence, adulthood, or middle age.
Embrace it, be happy with it. That’s the difference between people who know themselves and are comfortable in their skin—and those who aren’t. It’s about self-esteem, starting from childhood and carrying you through your teens, young adulthood, middle age… all the way to your later years.
For more on building confidence and self-esteem as you age, check out my other posts on embracing your best life after 60.
Staying Relevant
The only real challenge with aging is staying relevant. But think about it like this: Staying relevant isn’t about society’s approval. It’s about being relevant to yourself. If the world thinks you’re out of touch or past your prime, that’s on them. Your sense of self is what matters. Change that mindset, and life opens up in ways you didn’t expect.
According to the CDC, life expectancy for men in the U.S. is around 78 years and 81 for women, which reminds us that time is precious. Read more here.
Aging Gracefully
Aging gracefully means accepting reality. Accepting that you can’t be at 70 what you were at 60, 50, or 40. That’s not a loss; it’s a new chapter. Accept and embrace the reality of growing older. Celebrate the wisdom, experience, and freedom that comes with it. Aging isn’t a punishment, it’s a privilege.
And if you live it fully, with self-respect, humor, and joy, these later years can be some of the best of your life.
Why I’m Choosing to Travel Deeper, Write Boldly & Live Fully
From Many Hats to a Clearer Path
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: Writer, traveler, cultural explorer, and once-upon-a-time curator of women’s travel experiences. Each chapter has shaped me, stretched me, and added depth to how I move through the world.
But recently, I’ve felt a shift. A quiet (but persistent) nudge to simplify. To pause. To return to the heart of what I love most: telling meaningful stories, exploring new places with curiosity, and encouraging others, especially women over 50, to write their own next chapters.
Letting Go of More to Embrace What Matters
So, I’m stepping into a new season.
I won’t be organizing group tours or curated travel experiences anymore.
Instead, I’m giving myself permission to do less, but more intentionally.
I’m leaning into what brings me joy:
- Traveling not just to see the world, but to truly connect with it
- Writing not just to teach, but to reflect and inspire
- Living with purpose, curiosity, and courage
What You Can Expect Going Forward
From here on out, I’m focusing on storytelling—spotlighting cultures, people, and places through a personal and thoughtful lens.
You can also expect more content that supports:
- Writing, journaling, and creative expression
- Slower, more intentional travel
- Personal reflections from the road and from the page
Still Sharing What I Love
I’ll continue sharing Mary’s Picks, books, travel gear, and inspiring finds I personally use and love. Some of these will include affiliate links, which means if you purchase through them, you help support my work (at no extra cost to you). It’s a small but meaningful way to keep this space growing.
If You’re Still Reading, You Belong Here
Whether you’re a traveler at heart, a woman rediscovering her voice, or simply someone looking to live more fully in the now, I’m so glad you’re here.
We’re in this together.
Here’s to new beginnings.
Let’s travel deeper.
Write boldly.
Live fully.
Mary O.
