I create many of my health and beauty products at home, making cocoa butter and shea butter essentials in my routine. However, there are other types of body butters that offer unique benefits for the skin and hair. Mango butter has become my new favorite to try out. It’s intensely moisturizing, calming, and feels wonderfully luxurious. And yes, it really comes from a mango!
Does it sound exotic? Let’s explore…
Mango Butter Explained
Mango butter is extracted from the seeds found inside mangoes. Much like cocoa butter or shea butter, it’s commonly used in body care products as a base for its emollient qualities. It’s hydrating without leaving a greasy residue and has a mild scent, making it easy to combine with essential oils.
In Ayurvedic medicine, mango has been used for thousands of years due to its believed rejuvenating properties. It was thought to enhance heart health, improve brain function, and boost the immune system.
Benefits of Mango Butter for Hair and Skin
Mango is popular in skincare, haircare, and cosmetics due to its benefits. Here are some of them:
Packed with Nutrients
Mango butter abounds with nutrients that restore hair and skin health, making them soft and smooth. This butter includes:
- Vitamin A
- A significant amount of vitamin C
- Vitamin E
In addition to these, mango butter contains other antioxidants and crucial fatty acids, including:
- Palmitic acid
- Arachidic acid
- Linoleic acid
- Oleic acid
- Stearic acid
These components contribute to mango butter’s excellent moisturizing capabilities for hair and skin. Just like nutrients benefit the body internally, these found in mango butter enhance hair and skin health when applied externally.
Moisturizing and Emollient Properties
A primary advantage of this body butter is its skin-hydrating ability. A study from 2008 concluded that mango butter acts as a superb emollient that helps reconstruct the natural skin barrier. It highlights that mango butter “actively replenishes moisture for better skin protection, leaving the skin silky, smooth, and hydrated.”
Due to its moisturizing effects, many use it to manage skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis and to diminish scars, fine lines, and stretch marks. As noted, the nutrients within mango butter make it soothing and hydrating for the skin and hair.
Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects
The aforementioned 2008 study goes on to state that mango butter has anti-inflammatory characteristics. It also mentions its antimicrobial properties, which can halt bacterial proliferation. These features make mango butter effective for calming and repairing damaged skin and hair. Its benefits may extend to treating skin and scalp issues like eczema or dandruff.
Non-Pore-Clogging
Mango butter doesn’t clog pores, which makes it suitable for all skin types. Unlike cocoa butter, which is known to block pores, mango butter is a great choice for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. I appreciate how rich it feels without the greasiness. It’s also excellent for kids’ delicate skin!
Ways to Use Mango Butter
Thanks to its numerous benefits for skin and hair, mango butter is quite versatile. Here are some favored uses:
- Sunburn Relief – Mango butter can provide significant relief from sunburn. I keep it handy for this purpose and love its soothing qualities.
- Frostbite Care – While frostbite requires medical attention, mango butter can soothe the skin upon return home.
- In Lotions and Body Butters – Fantastic for soothing dry skin, I incorporate it into homemade lotions and moisturizers when available. I’ve even used it for creating lotion bars.
- Eczema Management – It’s helpful for conditions like eczema and psoriasis that need intense moisturization. I mix it into an eczema relief lotion bar.
- Men’s Lotion – Due to its light aroma, I include mango butter in men’s lotions.
- Acne Care – Mango butter is ideal for acne-prone skin as a moisturizer since it won’t clog pores and boasts anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial traits.
- Anti-itch Solutions – Its itch-relieving capacity makes it a good ingredient in bug bite balms or lotions.
- Lip Balm – Substitute mango butter for shea or cocoa butter in lip balm recipes. It’s highly moisturizing, making it great for sunburnt or chapped lips.
- Scar Treatment – Apply pure mango butter or products containing it on scars to enhance their appearance. I’ve seen improvements in fresh scars fading more quickly.
- Fine Line Reduction – Many users find it effective for reducing facial fine lines.
- Stretch Marks – May also aid in diminishing stretch marks from pregnancy or other causes. Just apply daily.
- Hair Smoothing – Utilize mango butter to alleviate frizz and support dandruff and other scalp issues.
- Face Moisturizer – Try it in a face moisturizer recipe for great results.
Mango butter is such an excellent moisturizer that I often incorporate it into homemade products, though it works wonderfully alone too.
Can You Eat Mango Butter?
Mango butter is edible! It can be used as a cocoa butter substitute in recipes, including homemade chocolates. However, ensure it’s a food-grade mango butter, as many intended for skincare aren’t suitable for consumption.
Is Mango Butter Superior to Other Butters?
Mango butter and shea butter share a similar composition and both are superb moisturizers. They can frequently substitute for one another in various recipes. While cocoa butter is similar, it may clog pores more readily. I enjoy using mango butter because it’s firm (though not as firm as cocoa butter) and has a subtle aroma.
Where to Purchase Mango Butter
I purchase high-quality mango butter for skincare and hair care at local natural stores or online. Look for pure mango butter without added ingredients. I prefer to buy from companies I trust for my essential oils.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Walker, an internal medicine physician. As always, this content should not be taken as personal medical advice, and consulting your doctor or working with a physician at SteadyMD is recommended.
Have you experimented with mango body butter? What do you enjoy about it?
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