Mango Butter For The Skin: Benefits, How To Use, And More

Know The Ingredient: Mango Butter

What Is It?
A topical cream made from the seed of the mango fruit.

What Are Its Benefits?
Rich in vitamins and polyphenols, it helps combat aging signs, skin dryness, and stretch marks.

Who Can Use It?
Can be used by all skin types.

How Often?
Daily or as recommended by a healthcare professional.

Caution
May cause irritation or allergy in some individuals. Consult a doctor before using it if you are allergic to mangoes.

What Is Mango Butter?

Mango butter is the natural oil or fat derived from the mango kernel (the white part inside the seed). The mango kernel is rich in antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds and may help in nourishing and hydrating skin to improve skin elasticity(1). However, mango butter is not non-comedogenic and may clog pores. Therefore, avoid using it if you have oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and combination skin. Now, let’s take a look at the other benefits of mango butter.

Trivia

Famous American actress and Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester is known to use mango butter for her DIY body lotion.

Benefits Of Mango Butter For The Skin

1. Prevents Signs of Aging

The mango kernel contains vitamins A, E, C, and K, and polyphenols like gallic and ferulic acids, mangiferin, and tannins. All these antioxidants protect the skin from UV damage and photoaging and neutralize harmful free radicals to prevent early signs of aging (1), (2). It is rich in vitamin C that promotes collagen synthesis to improve the skin texture and elasticity (3), (4), (5). Mango butter leads to the firming of the skin and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

2. Improves Dry Skin Conditions

Mango butter contains phytosterols, fatty acids (triglycerides), and tocopherols and has excellent emollient properties. This helps in softening and improving skin texture. Mango butter has anti-inflammatory properties and may help soothe skin irritation and itching caused by dry skin conditions (1), (6). It can condition your skin by preventing moisture loss and may also help in soothing eczema and psoriasisⁱ  XItchy, scaly, and painful patches on the scalp, elbows, and knees triggered by stress, cold, or infections. flare-ups.

3. It May Heal Wounds

Mango butter has wound healing properties. Studies found that this naturally occlusive ingredient could protect the skin barrier and repair damaged and cracked skin (1).

4. May Prevent Stretch Marks And Scars

Mango butter works as a moisturizer for the skin and improves skin elasticity. Massaging the abdominal area with it during pregnancy may help prevent stretch marks. Moreover, massaging mango butter on fresh stretch marks and scars may also improve their appearance as this butter has wound-healing abilities and promotes collagen development.

5. May Help In Skin Lightening

Mango butter is rich in vitamin C, which may contribute to its potential for skin lightening. While there is no scientific evidence to verify this claim, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may indirectly help improve skin tone by keeping the skin hydrated and improving its radiance and texture. All these effects may make your skin appear healthy and brighter.

You may use raw mango butter or mix it with other ingredients to prepare body butter and other DIY products. Scroll down to learn how to use mango butter for your skin.

Did You Know?

Hydraulic pressure or hexane (a liquid hydrocarbon) solvent extraction are used to extract the mango fat from the dried mango kernels.

How To Use Mango Butter For The Skin: DIY Recipes

1. DIY Mango Body Butter

What You Need

• 1 cup of mango butter
• 1 teaspoon of cold-pressed coconut oil
• 2-3 drops of any essential oil (optional)

Process

1. Melt the mango butter and mix all the ingredients.
2. Blend it well until you get a whipped cream-like texture.

Why It Works

Coconut oil moisturizes the skin and can help protect the skin barrier (7), (8). This organic body butter can keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness and flaking.

2. Mango Butter Lip Balm

What You Need

• ½ teaspoon of mango butter
• ½ teaspoon of shea butter
• 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil
• 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon of beeswax (alternative: shea butter)
• 1 drop of tea tree oil
• ¼ teaspoon of vitamin E oil

Process

1. Melt and mix all the ingredients (except essential oils) in a double boiler.
2. Add the essential oils to the mixture once it cools down.
3. Store it in a small jar and refrigerate.
4. Apply every day to your lips.

Note: Avoid beeswax and essential oils if you are allergic to them.

Why It Works

Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties, while vitamin E, castor and almond oils, and beeswax keep the skin moisturized and hydrated (8), (9), (10), (11), (12). Lavender and tea tree oils have antiseptic properties and may help heal chapped lips (13), (14). This lip balm can keep your lips smooth and soft.

3. Mango Citrus Body Butter

What You Need

• 2 tablespoons of beeswax
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa butter
• 3 tablespoons of shea butter
• 5 tablespoons of mango butter
• 1 teaspoon of almond oil
• 1 teaspoon of vitamin E
• 5-10 drops of citrus essential oil (for fragrance)

Process

1. Melt the beeswax and plant butters in a double boiler.
2. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool down a bit.
3. Add the oils to the molten butter and mix.
4. Blend the mixture until you get a whipped cream-like consistency.
5. Store it in a glass jar and use it every day on damp skin.

Why It Works

Beeswax, shea and cocoa butters, and almond oil soften the skin, have emollient properties, and prevent UV damage (11), (15), (16), (17). Vitamin E promotes collagen development (2). Citrus essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (18). This body butter can soothe your skin, reduce dryness, and keep it protected.

4. Mango Butter Lotion Bar

What You Need

• 1/3 cup of mango butter
• 1/3 cup of coconut oil
• 1/3 cup of beeswax
• 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 1 tablespoon of menthol crystals
• ½ teaspoon of arnica oil (optional)

Process

1. Combine all ingredients (except the menthol crystals and essential oils) in a glass bowl and melt on a double boiler. Keep stirring.
2. Remove the mixture from heat and add the menthol crystals and stir until it dissolves.
3. Once the mixture cools down a bit, mix the essential oil.
4. Pour it into molds and leave them for 24 hours.
5. Wrap them with plastic or cling wraps and refrigerate.
6. Rub the lotion bars on the skin and massage.

Why It Works

Coconut oil moisturizes the skin and may soothe atopic dermatitisⁱ  XA condition that causes skin inflammation and dryness on the arms and the back of the knees due to allergens or irritants. . It may prevent UV damage (7), (8). Peppermint essential oil promotes wound healing, and menthol crystals can help relieve pain (19), (20). Arnica oil has analgesicⁱ  XA class of drugs that are formulated to treat pain ranging from headaches to injuries to diseases. , anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties (21).

Montina, a vlogger, shared a tutorial on making whipped mango butter. She advised using the slow melting process and mixed the partially solidified mango butter with coconut oil, honey, vitamin E, and flour. She noted from her personal experience, “I use this on my hair. I use this on my skin; it’s great for stretch marks (i).”

Mango butter can also soothe sunburns and bug bites. You may use any of the recipes to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. Mango butter is often compared with shea butter. Both have similar properties. If you are confused about which one is better, find out in the next section.

Is Mango Butter Better Than Shea Butter?

Both have similar properties, with some minor differences.

• Mango butter is lightweight compared to shea butter.
• Both contain the same fatty acids but in different proportions. Mango butter has a low melting point and contains a high amount of oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids (22). Shea butter takes more time to melt when rubbed between your palms.
• Both mango and shea butters are used in skin care products to moisturize the skin and prevent dryness.
• Mango butter has a subtle sweet scent, while shea butter has a nutty and smokey fragrance.
• Both shea and mango butter may cause allergic reactions. Avoid shea butter if you have nut allergy, and avoid mango butter if you are allergic to urushiol (a chemical found in mango sap that may trigger contact dermatitis).

You may choose any of the butters depending on your preferences. While mango butter is generally considered safe for the skin, it may sometimes cause side effects in some individuals. Let’s take a look!

Side Effects Of Mango Butter On Skin

• It is heavy and may leave residue, which could potentially clog the skin pores and may cause breakouts. It may also exacerbate existing acne.
• People allergic to mango butter may experience symptoms like skin irritation, redness, hives or itching.
• It might make the skin appear greasy. Therefore, people with oily skin should avoid using mango butter or use it in moderate amounts.

Infographic: Benefits Of Mango Butter For The Skin

Adding mango butter to skin care routines is an age old practice. It offers numerous benefits and is budget friendly. Check out the infographic below to read through the major benefits of adding mango butter to your daily skincare regimen.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does mango butter help treat hyperpigmentation?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that mango butter may help reduce hyperpigmentation and give radiance to your skin and lead to a brightening of the complexion. However, more research is warranted in this regard.

Can I mix shea butter and mango butter and use on the skin?

Yes. You can mix shea butter and mango butter to create a custom body butter for your skin.

Is mango butter antifungal?

Yes, mango butter is antifungal as it is derived from mango seeds that are known to have antifungal properties (23). Anecdotal evidence suggests that due to these properties, it may be beneficial for your scalp health.

Is mango butter a natural sunscreen?

Yes, anecdotal evidence suggests that mango butter is a natural sunscreen. However, there may be limits to the amount of UV protection it can provide. Therefore, always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen while stepping out in the sun, even if you use mango butter.

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Dr. Preethi NagarajMD DVL

 

Dr. Preethi Nagaraj is the medical director and senior consultant dermatologist at Twacha Skin and Hair Clinic, Kakkanad, Kochi, India, with 11 years of experience. She completed her post-graduation in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology from the prestigious St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore. She was awarded a training fellowship in pediatric dermatology by the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. She writes on skin care and aims to present well-researched...more