Natural butters and oils can be extremely beneficial for your skin. They are chemical free, and their natural compounds work with the natural properties of your skin to soften and protect it. You may be familiar with butters and oils such as coconut and shea, and the benefits that they offer, but you may not be aware of mango butter, and its various uses.
About Mango Butter
We are all familiar with the delicious mango fruit, and the large, oval stone inside. Mango butter is made from the kernels inside that stone and they are extracted through cold pressing. At room temperature, the butter is non-greasy, semi-solid, and soft yellow in color, with a light, nutty scent. It is rich in vitamins A, C and E, oleic acid (a monounsaturated omega-9 acid), and stearic acid (a saturated fatty acid), and also contains high levels of antioxidants. These nutrients are well known for their moisturizing and restorative properties, which can help with a range of skin conditions.
When buying mango butter, purchasers should look for the words ‘unrefined’, ‘cold-pressed’, or ‘crude’ to ensure that they are getting the best and most natural product. When stored correctly in a cool, dark place, mango butter can be kept for up to two years.
Skin Benefits
Mango butter can help with a wide range of skin conditions, and reduce signs of aging. Its semi-solid state makes it easy to apply and its melting point of between 95 and 97.7 degrees Fahrenheit means that it gently melts when applied to your skin.
Comprised of around 46% oleic acid, 43% stearic acid, and 6% linoleic acid, it’s higher in fatty acids than most other natural butters, making it a particularly effective moisturizer and emollient. The unsaturated oleic and linoleic acids means that it is absorbed easily and quickly into your skin, while the saturated stearic and palmitic acids provide a protective seal to hold in the moisture. As a result, skin feels soft and supple from the first application.
Eczema, Psoriasis, and Other Skin Conditions
Due to the tannins that mango butter contains, it has natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This means that it can offer real benefits to people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis- soothing the skin, reducing irritation, and helping it to repair. It can also be used on extremely sensitive skin, as it is unlikely to cause irritation.
Dry Skin
Most people suffer from patches of dry skin on their body, particularly on the heels, elbows, and knees. The deep moisturizing properties of mango butter, combined with the protective layer it forms over the treated area, will transform dry, cracked skin into soft, supple, and beautiful skin.
Acne
While acne is traditionally associated with teenagers, it can make an appearance at any time. Because acne is a form of inflammation of the skin, the natural anti-inflammatory properties of mango butter can reduce redness and irritation. Acne can also leave scarring, and the deep moisturization that mango butter provides can help the skin rejuvenate, thus reducing the severity of such scars.
Anti-Aging
The high level of vitamins A and C makes it a favorite with dermatologists when recommending products to clients who want to look younger, with many reporting a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles after four to six weeks of usage. It is lighter in texture than other oils, so it’s a good replacement for other types of butter that users may find too heavy for their skin.
The vitamin C in mango butter plumps and tightens the skin, making it look firmer and more youthful, while vitamin A works on the fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes a revitalized, glowing complexion. The deep moisturizing effect of the butter makes the skin more supple, which also reduces the signs of aging.
In addition to reducing the appearance of wrinkles, mango butter can also lighten age spots, sun damage spots, and stretch marks, through improving the skin’s suppleness and its ability to rejuvenate itself.
Protection from UV and Environmental Pollutants
Mango butter has been shown to help protect the skin against UVB (ultraviolet burning) rays, which are the ones that cause sunburn. It is believed to have a natural SPF (sun protection factor) of somewhere between six and fifteen, which could provide adequate protection for when the sun is less intense.
The high levels of antioxidants that mango oil contains help to protect the skin against pollution in the air, such as traffic fumes, cigarette smoke, and pesticides. Such pollutants can create free radicals, which can cause cellular damage to the body. Antioxidants play a key role in removing these free radicals and reducing their impact.
Treatment of Sunburn, Bites and Allergic Reactions
As we discussed, mango butter has natural anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, as well as providing deep moisturization. These qualities combined make it ideal for treating problems such as sunburn, insect bites, and rashes caused by allergic reactions.
The fatty acids within mango butter help lessen the itching associated with insect bites and some allergic reactions. In addition, it helps to reduce inflammation, and it soothes irritated and painful skin, supporting its repair and rejuvenation, and aiding in the healing process.
Other Uses
Other uses include using it as a shaving lotion that will lock in moisture both during the shave and afterwards. It can also be used as a massage oil that will not only moisturize, but also help with tight, fatigued muscles.
Our Recommended Brand
To gain the most benefit from mango butter, it needs to be raw and unrefined with no added ingredients. Sky Organics 100% Organic Mango Butter is just that. The mangoes are grown in India by reputable artisanal farmers who are committed to pesticide-free practices. Once grown, the mangoes are processed into butter in small batches for high quality results.
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