Mango Butter Skin and Hair Benefits

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Want to learn about mango butter skin and hair benefits? You have probably heard of shea butter and cocoa butter, but have you heard of mango butter? Mango butter is often found in cosmetics and soaps, as a moisturizing ingredient. It is an amazing butter to have on hand for making your own body butters and hair treatments.

In this article we will talk about:

• What is mango butter?
• Benefits of mango butter for your skin and hair
• Refined vs Unrefined mango butter
• Our recommended mango butter source
• Mango butter recipes

What is Mango Butter?

Mango butter is extracted from the de-shelled fruit kernel of the mango tree. Once the mango butter is extracted, it is heated up and boiled to get the right consistency. The resulting butter resembles cocoa butter and has a slightly sweet scent. It is semi-solid at room temperature and melts on contact with the skin.

Mango butter is rich on oleic acid and stearic acid. These fatty acids acts as emollients that soften and soothe the skin and hair. It has a high oxidative ability, wound healing and regenerative activity. It is high in antioxidants and Vitamins A, C and E.

Mango butter is quite hard at room temperature, making it difficult to use on its own. It is often mixed with oils to make it easier to apply. Mango butter has similar qualities as shea and cocoa butter but it’s higher fatty acid content makes it a more intensive moisturizer. It  has a lighter feel than shea butter, so if you find shea butter too heavy, give mango butter a try.

The main fatty acids present in Mango butter are:

• Oleic: 46%
• Stearic: 44%
• Palmitic: 5.5%
• Linoleic: 6,0%
• Aracinidic 3.0%

Mango Butter Skin Benefits

Mango butter soothes and softens the skin. It offers protective effects against UV radiation and helps with rashes, insect bites, eczema and skin irritations. Mango butter helps heal and protect the skin from damage caused by sunburn and frostbite.

Due to it’s high antioxidant content, mango butter is anti-aging. Triterpenes present in mango butter help heal and prevent aging of the skin, reduces the look of lines and wrinkles and helps keep your skin healthy. Mango butter is especially excellent for anyone with dry skin.

• helps restore the skins protective barrier
• replaces lost moisture
• easily absorbed
• antiseptic, healing and soothing
• repairs dry skin

Mango Butter Hair Benefits

The emollient properties of mango butter make it an excellent hair and scalp conditioner. It protects the hair and scalp from sun damage and keeps hair looking healthy by reducing breakage and dryness.

Mango butter provides the hair with minerals and vitamins to help keep it strong and healthy. It will help lock in moisture and control frizz. The vitamins in mango butter can help with hair growth and the regenerative properties of this butter can help repair your hair.

• protects hair from sun damage
• prevents moisture loss
• makes hair soft
• imparts shine
• restores damaged cuticle

Refined or Unrefined Mango Butter?

Unrefined mango butter contains a higher amount of unsaponifiable matter than refined mango butter, making it retain its regenerative properties. Unsaponifiable matter gives the butter conditioning and moisturizing properties.

Refined mango butter will lack scent and color. When a butter is refined, it has been passed through a filtering system and treated with chemical solvents to alter its color, texture, and aroma. Refining also alters the vitamin content and natural properties.

It is best to buy unrefined mango butter if you want all of the healing attributes intact. Look for mango butter that has not been hydrogenated or mixed with preservatives, fragrances or other ingredients.

Our Recommended Mango Butter

This is the mango butter I recommend, it is raw, unrefined and comes from organically grown mangoes. The best price is on Amazon.

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Mango Butter Recipes

Mango Butter Hair and Skin Moisturizer:

• 8oz mango butter (here is our recommended mango butter)
• 3oz fractionated coconut oil ( I like this brand)
• 40 drops of essential oil (learn what essential oils are best)
• 1/4 tsp Vitamin E as a preservative ( I use this)

1. Heat your mango butter at a low temperature, instead of melting it completely, just soften it enough to work with. This will help you avoid grains.
2. Add the fractionated coconut oil
3. Stir in the essential oil and Vitamin E
4. Put it all into a jar.

Use on skin and hair as a moisturizer.

Mango Whipped Body Butter:

• 1 cup shea butter (this is my favorite)
• 1/2 cup mango butter (get the best one here)
• 1/2 cup almond oil ( I buy this one)
• 20-25 drops of essential oil (see a list of the best ones for skin care here)

1. Place the mango and shea butter in an oven proof glass bowl.
2. Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and place the glass bowl inside – do not let the water get inside the bowl.
3. Whisk the ingredients over medium heat until melted.
4. Once the butters are completely melted, carefully remove the glass bowl.
5. Stir in almond oil and essential oil.
6. Wait for the bowl to cool and then place in the freezer to chill for 20 minutes.
7. Whip with an electric mixer until you have soft peaks and a creamy texture.
8. Spoon into a glass jar and cover tightly.
9. Store in a cool place or in the refrigerator (should keep for 4 – 6 months).

Use your body butter on your skin after a shower, rub in gently. Give your elbows, hands, feet and knees special attention, as they tend to get the driest. Or use your body butter before bedtime to help soften your skin.

Video on How to Use Mango Butter in a Facial Cream

Do you have any recipes to share? Do you use refined or unrefined butters?

Yours In Beauty,
Andrea