I make a lot of my health and beauty products at home, so things like cocoa butter and shea butter are always around. Recently, I’ve started experimenting with mango butter, which has quickly become my favorite. It’s wonderfully hydrating, soothing, and feels quite luxurious! Surprisingly, it actually comes from mango seeds.
Mango butter, extracted from the mango seed, functions similarly to cocoa or shea butter and is often used in skincare due to its emollient properties. It’s moisturizing without leaving a greasy feel and has a mild scent, which makes it easy to mix with essential oils.
For thousands of years, mango has been part of Ayurvedic medicine, believed to rejuvenate, strengthen the heart, enhance brain activity, and boost immunity. Its popularity in skincare, haircare, and cosmetics is well-earned due to its many benefits.
Mango butter is packed with nutrients that help restore hair and skin, making them soft and smooth. It contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants, making it an excellent moisturizer. These nutrients work externally just as they benefit the body internally.
One key advantage of mango butter is its ability to hydrate the skin exceptionally well. A study in 2008 highlighted its role as an effective emollient, helping to rebuild the skin’s natural barrier and locking in moisture, leaving the skin silky and smooth. It’s a popular choice for addressing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, scars, fine lines, and stretch marks due to its soothing qualities.
The same study also noted mango butter’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it useful for repairing damaged skin and hair and potentially aiding in conditions like eczema or dandruff. It doesn’t clog pores, unlike cocoa butter, making it suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive or acne-prone skin. It’s even gentle enough for children’s skin!
Given its benefits, mango butter can be used in many ways. I like adding it to homemade products, but it also works well on its own. Additionally, mango butter is edible and can substitute for cocoa butter in recipes like homemade chocolate, but make sure it’s food-grade.
Mango butter and shea butter are similar and often interchangeable in recipes. While cocoa butter is also similar, it is more prone to clogging pores. I prefer mango butter’s firm consistency, which isn’t as hard as cocoa butter, and love its subtle aroma.
For skincare and haircare, I source high-quality mango butter from a local natural store or online, ensuring it’s pure without added ingredients. I typically buy from a company I trust for essential oils.
Have you tried mango butter? What do you love about it?
