It’s that time of the season when most ladies and gentlemen find no interest in applying their regular sweet-scented pomades but fish out for something that can make their skin glow amidst the dry season known as ‘harmattan’.
Harmattan season often starts from late November to mid-March annually and it is often associated with coolness and dryness.
During this season, the only pomade which is very affordable and sought-after is the locally manufactured shea butter popularly known as ‘Nkuto’.
Generally, shea butter is produced in the Northern Region of Ghana, particularly in the Yendi District, mostly by women and other individuals.
The demand for shea butter is increasing gradually as we are in the harmattan season.
An inquiry from Madam Yaa Agyeiwaa, a regular seller of shea butter and other locally manufactured cosmetics at Kwame Nkrumah Circle shows that the purchase of ‘Nkuto’ is booming due to the current weather conditions.
Regularly, her customers have been individuals with natural/unpermed hair who fall on her natural shea butter for silky hairstyles but currently, most people especially “fair-coloured” ladies and gentlemen are purchasing shea butter from her for their skin.
Some Ghanaians in an exclusive interview with The Ghana Report shared their views on the benefits of shea butter during the harmattan season.
One interviewee said, “I use it to prevent dry skin, and chapped lips, and to protect my skin against the harsh effects of the dry weather. Shea butter’s nourishing qualities make it a popular choice for skin care in regions affected by the harmattan season, such as the Northern part of Ghana”.
Another dark-skinned lady said shea butter is very important to her since she uses it during and after the harmattan season.
The third interviewee, a female student of the University of Education, Winneba also said shea butter has been her regular pomade as she mixes it with other hair creams.
“Yes, shea butter is really my thing. I personally mix it with my hair cream and it does magic for me. It makes my hair look good and nourishes my hair. That’s what Shea butter does for me” she noted.
One gentleman also said he often uses shea butter during the dry season because “it massages my body and makes my skin shine bright as well”.
A teacher with one of the private schools said she uses shea butter often on her body for smooth skin and cooking purposes.
“Using shea butter regularly helps my skin retain moisture which makes it soft and smooth since it is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. I feel good when I apply shea butter on my body during the harmattan season”, another person who spoke with The Ghana Report revealed.
According to health experts, shea butter contains, “vitamins A, E, and F that boost the treatment of skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and even help in resisting premature ageing”.
Vitamin A helps skin remain healthy and prevents facial lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin F also soothes chapped, dry, or rough skin and helps skin to heal as most of the interviewees indicated for their reasons for using shea butter.
We are already in the harmattan season and to keep your skin fresh and glowing, try and get yourself a locally manufactured shea butter to enhance your confidence level in public.
Shea butter mix with baby oil help my skin glow and that’s my everyday pomade. Thanks for highlighting the need.