For good reason, cocoa and shea butter get a lot of attention. They’re great for the skin, so they’re frequently used in skin and hair products, especially those featuring natural products. Mango butter, however, is not talked about as much, but it also has a lot to offer if you’re interested in using natural ingredients for healthy, youthful skin. With that said, we’d like to give mango butter the rightful recognition this superstar deserves!
Mango butter is a lightweight, rich, nourishing topical cream made with the oil from mango seeds. Mangoes, rich in fiber, vitamins (C, B6, A, E, etc.), and minerals like folate, potassium, calcium, and beta carotene, are not only a dietary staple globally but also a beneficial ingredient for skincare products. Packed with skin-enhancing vitamins, particularly due to its fatty acid composition (oleic, stearic, linoleic acids), mango butter is increasingly favored in beauty formulations.
What Mango Butter Can Do For You
1. Provide softer skin
Mango butter’s rich composition of fatty acids contributes to moisturizing and nourishing the skin. These fatty acids help to restore and maintain the skin's natural lipid barrier, preventing moisture loss and promoting hydration. Additionally, mango butter contains vitamins and antioxidants, such as vitamins A and E, which help to protect the skin from environmental stressors and support overall skin health.
2. Help with cracked heels
In a notable 2008 study, mango butter demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating cracked heels. Compared to a commercially-produced lotion, a solution containing mango butter showed better results in reducing scars and cracks in the skin, as well as prolonging shelf-life. Moreover, it exhibited comparable or even better moisturizing abilities, highlighting its effectiveness as a skincare ingredient.
3. Promote healthier hair and scalp care
Mango butter promotes healthy hair growth by moisturizing the scalp and hair follicles, prevents free radical damage to minimize breakage, repairs split ends, adds shine, and improves overall hair appearance. Additionally, it reduces scalp itchiness, particularly for dry or flaky scalps. Because it’s non-greasy and easily absorbed, it’s an ideal natural ingredient for hair and scalp products, especially those targeting dry and damaged hair.
4. Fights fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage
Mango butter is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, giving it powerful anti-aging capabilities. Its high tocopherol (vitamin E) content aids in combating environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, and visible light. Additionally, vitamin A assists in reducing sun-related skin damage, while phytosterols, akin to cholesterol, promote a healthy skin barrier.
Is Mango Butter Right for You?
Although mango butter rates at a 2 of the comedogenic scale, which makes it optimal for most skin types, it’s not for everyone, including those with very oily or acne-prone skin. It’s also important to be mindful of mango butter if you are allergic or sensitive to mangoes. If you’re not sure about allergies, spot-testing is a good idea. Apply a tiny amount of mango butter to a small spot on your body. If, after three days, there’s no sign of a reaction, it’s probably safe to use mango butter all over. The lightweight texture and antioxidant properties of mango butter make it an ideal moisturizer for both the face and body. It doesn’t clog pores, and you can use it 1-2 times a day, as you would any moisturizer.
Mona Moon Naturals focuses on small-batch products made with natural, recognizable ingredients.