Mar 21, 2022

Mango Butter: An exotic butter for Skincare

Mango butter has been used in skincare for ages. Its most common use is to heal burns and skin wounds. Along with medicinal use, it has also been used for skincare and hair care. As we are circling back to natural products again, Organic mango butter has also gained its position back in the game.

In recent years, mango butter has become popular among skincare brands, because of its beneficial moisturizing and rejuvenation properties. Most brands are replacing shea butter as an ingredient in their products with mango butter. It is lighter in weight, has better texture, and doesn’t leave skin all greasy and oily.

Some people even called mango seed butter "CEO" of skin care world.

Produced from the fruit of Magnifera indica or more commonly known as mango tree, Mango butter is an oil that is obtained from mango seed by various methods. It is extracted by cold-pressing methods in which mango seed is put under high pressure and the internal oil producing seed just pops out. Just like essential oil extraction method, mango butter extraction method is also important, because that determines the texture and purity of it.

It has emollient effect which prevents skin roughness and inflammation of the skin, contain high amount of vitamin A,C,E and flavonoid antioxidant.

Therefore, it is becoming the new boss of skincare industry. Mango butter is as rich in nutrients as mango itself.

What exactly is mango butter?

Made from mango seeds, mango butter has all the nutritional values of a mango. It is rich in Vitamin A,C, and E. It is also rich in antioxidants and has anti bacterial properties.

Often in natural products, there are bacterial developments due to environmental factors. In various studies mango butter has shown anti microbial properties, that means it is one of the few natural products that promotes least bacterial growth.

It also has Salicylic acid, Linoleic acid, and, Palmitic acid which makes it more suitable for sensitive skin. It is solid at room temperature and calmly mixes into skin when applied. It helps in keeping the moisture locked in skin and hydration. It has mixed properties of a moisturizer, petroleum jelly, but without the heaviness.

Mango butter has been famous for its medicinal use in the past and ancient Mid wives always believed in its beauty benefits. Compounds of mango butter makes it appropriate for all skin types. Benefits of mango butter are numerous but, more on that later.

First, a bit of history to clear all the facts.

History of Mango And Mango Butter

Mango is the national fruit of India and is called the "king of fruits" for obvious reasons. Along with great taste it has abundance of nutritional value. 100 grams of mango has the daily required amount of vitamin C of an average person diet, 60% of vitamin E, and it has less calories as well. It is also rich in vitamin A. Mango also helps in promoting collagen production which leads to younger and healthier skin. Besides India, only Africa had Mango plantation and in 18th century it reached America as well.

In late 15th century, Mango was used in medicines in Southeast Asia. Since then, it has been known for its rejuvenation properties. It also has a mythical story related to it. It is believed that Buddha accepted an invitation from a courtesan named Amrapali, for her mango plantation and sat under a mango tree to impart wisdom and moral values. He taught about Nirvana And Moksha under a mango tree.

Originally called mango oil, was also used for massaging women after labor or those who were suffering from pain. Women also used it as a soap to freshen up.

New world has also recognized the benefits of mango butter and now its gaining popularity back again.

Uses And Benefits of Mango Butter

Mango butter is used in many different skincare products to enhance the properties of high quality moisturizers. It has a high content of fatty acids and vitamin A, E, F, as well as phenolic compounds that work together to improve the appearance of skin.

Mango butter for skin

Moisturizer: Mango butter is a great moisturizer and is now replacing shea butter in many skin care products. In its natural form its solid at room temperature and can be used by itself. The texture of mango butter is fluffy and creamy and it is light weight as compared to other body butter. And it has no heavy fragrance so there are less chances of headaches or migraine trigger. It can be mixed with lavender essential oil or rosemary essential oil for fragrance. It hydrates skin and applied once a day is sufficient.

Rejuvenates skin: Mango butter promotes collagen production in body, and hence contributes to a better and healthy looking skin. It also has oleic acid which helps in:

Reducing wrinkles and dark spots
Preventing premature aging caused by pollution.
Also helps in hair smoothening and shine

Reducing dark spots and blemishes: Vitamin C present in mango butter helps in reducing dark spots and redness. Vitamin C is beneficial in skin whitening and it also helps to reduce acne marks.

Protects sun damage: Mango butter is rich in antioxidants as well which helps against the free radical produced by UV rays. It has a calming effect on sun burned skin. Since it is appropriate for sensitive skin, it will also help in repairing the cells damaged by sun rays.

Reduced dark circles: Mango butter can also be used as a under eye cream for reducing dark circles. And just like that, say goodbye to those dark baggy under eyes from binge watching your favorite Netflix show.

Hydrates skin: Rich in vitamin A: mango butter is rich in vitamin A, which helps maintaining dermis and epidermis; the first two layers of skin. It hydrates skin and gives it a natural glow.

Mango butter for hair

Strengthens hair : Palmitic acid in mango butter plays a key role in hair growth. It acts as a natural oil but without any greasing. Hair just look shinier than ever. It also helps retain moisture in hair

Controls dandruff & Repairs: Mango butter can be mixed with essential oil for dandruff such as lavender oil and tea tree oil and, it can also treat dandruff. It also helps in repairing damaged hair from pollution, dirt, hair coloring, etc.

Other uses

Sore muscles: Mango butter can also be used as a massage oil for sore muscles, and to reduce stiffness. It can also be mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil to improve texture.

Substitute for soap: Mango butter is widely used in soaps and bathing gels already. But in its absolute form, it can be used as a soap in winters or for people who have dry skin.

After/ Before shave: It can be used as an after shave for smooth skin, and it also help to calm the skin and reduce any harsh cuts or inflammation. As for before shave, it will help soften the hair and prevent rashes. No wonder Mango butter is becoming the boss of cosmetic industry.

It is a moisturizer, essential oil, conditioner, anti aging cream, vitamin rich cream, all in one.

Mango Butter: Do's and Don't

With all these benefits, there are a few precautions to be kept in mind before using mango butter

Usually mango butter has a shelf life of 2 years, it should be kept in a dark cool place away from heat.
Never scoop out mango butter from your fingers, always use a spatula or a brush. Fingers has heat and bacteria so it can infect the whole batch.
Don't use mango butter if you have chronic acne or hormonal acne, as its oily texture can worsen the situation.
Don't consume cosmetic mango butter by mouth, as edible mango butter is a different products.

A 24 hour test should be done before using, apply mango butter on the back of your hand or on your elbow, wait for 24 hours. If there's no reaction, you're good to go.

DIY Mango Butter in your own way

As amazing as mango butter is in its natural form, one can always find a way to make it more effective.

DIY Lip Balm: Take desired amount of mango butter and mix it with some natural food coloring. Or melt a bit of your favorite lipstick and mix it with mango butter, and just like that, you have a all natural lip balm free of all the chemical processing. And you can also keep it in any empty lipstick case or a small box and its ready to go.

DIY Hair Mask: Mix equal amount of mango butter with lemon grass essential oil and make a paste of it. Apply this mask and cover your head with a warm towel, leave it for one hour afterwards wash this off with a mild shampoo. And enjoy your silky smooth hair. This mask can be applied once a week.

DIY for Cracked Heels or Dry Feet: Mix mango butter with coconut oil and few drops of lavender essential oil and apply this mix to your feet or cracked heels. Cover your feet with a cloth and wash with lukewarm water after half an hour. Use this, twice a week and results will show in a month.

DIY for Stretch Marks and Wounds: Mix equal parts of mango butter with coconut oil and apply this mix on marks daily and it will help the heal the marks. And it will also help in accelerating the cell rejuvenation process.

Conclusion

In conclusion mango butter is a boon for skincare industry. It has properties of different skincare products all in one. As many cheap copies are available in the market, finding the right one is a task. Points to be kept in mind while buying mango butter:

Pure mango butter does not have any color. It should be white in color and has mild aroma
Always buy from a reputed brand.
Look for extraction method.
Expiration date and manufacturing date
It should be stored in a cool dark place

All these are important points to be considered while purchasing mango butter. Overall, mango butter has no consequential effect on skin. It is safe to use.

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