Mango Butter Benefits For Skin: How to Use this Amazing Moisturizer

Mango Butter Has Many Benefits For Your Skin

If you’re like me then you’ve experienced dry, itchy skin; particularly in winter. It’s irritating and can even be painful when skin is so dry it starts to crack.

When my skin gets that bad, it’s time for one of my most trusted remedies: mango butter. Mango butter is a powerful, natural moisturizer that has been used for centuries as an anti-aging and skin treatment.

If you’re looking for something natural for your beauty routine, mango butter is perfect. You can’t go wrong with adding it to your skincare routine.

Mango butter fights the signs of skin aging due to its abundance of antioxidants such as Vitamins C and A. These antioxidants protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays and help support collagen production. Mango butter is also very moisturizing due to its high concentration of essential fatty acids.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

What is Mango Butter?

Mango butter is a natural, edible product that has been used for centuries in West Africa to heal and nourish the skin. It is made of the seeds of the mango tree fruit (Mangifera Indica). The seeds are pressed and the oil is used to create the lightweight, creamy butter. Raw, unrefined mango butter has no artificial fragrance or dyes added. It actually doesn’t have the strong smell of mangos you might expect, it has a very mild scent.

Mango Butter contains vitamins A, C, and E, research-backed antioxidants which help to protect the skin against free radicals. With its high content of essential fatty acids, mango butter is recommended by skincare professionals for relief from eczema and psoriasis because it hydrates and protects against inflammation.

You may be familiar with other types of body butter, such as shea butter, almond butter, or cocoa butter. I’ve written a guide to the different types of body butter here. Check it out to learn more about the differences between the types of body butter and which one is best for different skin types.

What are the Benefits of Mango Butter for Your Skin

Here are ways that mango butter benefits the skin:

moisturizes
protects from UV rays

fades dark spots
anti-inflammatory
soothes irritation

strengthens skin barrier
supports collagen production
plumps skin-reducing appearance of fine lines

Moisturizes

One of the first reasons most people reach for body butter is that they are ultra-rich moisturizers, making them great for dry, cracked skin. I love using mango butter on chapped lips or on my hands when they get dried out from the winter wind. It also is great for cuticles as part of an at-home manicure.

The reason mango butter is so moisturizing is that it’s primarily an oil, which not only hydrates your skin but also forms a protective barrier. Even with all that moisturizing power, it’s still lightweight and absorbs easily.

Antioxidant Protection

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals from sources such as UV rays and pollution that age our skin by causing fine lines, dark spots, and collagen loss, Mango butter contains high levels of vitamins A, C, and E.

Vitamin C is one of the most studied antioxidants used in skincare and has been proven to boost collagen production, stimulate cell regeneration, and even out skin tone. For more information on Vitamin C and how it can help you check out my guide to vitamin C serums here.

Vitamin A stimulates the production of collagen in your skin, increases cell turnover, decreases oil production, and has anti-inflammatory properties. If you’re interested in seeing the data, check out this study. While you may not have heard about Vitamin A in skincare, you’ve probably heard of retinol. Retinoids such as retinol and prescription-strength tretinoin ( brand name Retin-A) are forms of Vitamin A.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, improves cell function, and is also anti-inflammatory. You commonly see Vitamin E added to Vitamin C serums for extra skin-protecting power.

Anti-Inflammatory

The antioxidants and essential fatty acids in mango butter make it anti-inflammatory. This makes mango butter soothing for sunburns, insect bites, and general irritation. I find it really helps calm down redness from wind-burn in winter as well.

Essential Fatty Acids

Mango butter has high amounts of essential fatty acids that are an important part of the stratum corneum, the outer layer of our skin. They help form our natural skin barrier, which keeps in moisture and keeps out irritants.

There are many different types of fatty acids but some of the most important are stearic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. Among other benefits essential fatty acids prevent water loss through our skin (Trans-Epidermal Water Loss) keeping your skin hydrated and plumper. Just having well-hydrated skin can noticeably approve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,

You may have heard of Omega 3 fatty acids as an important part of a healthy diet. Omega 3’s are full of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, which is also found in mango butter. While it’s important to get fatty acids in our diet, we can also apply them topically in products such as mango butter.

All Natural Ingredients

Raw, unrefined mango butter is safe for sensitive skin. Unlike products with artificial fragrances or dyes added, it is unlikely to cause any skin irritation. Of course, you know your skin best, and if you have concerns it’s always best to patch test before using something new all over your body.

If you’re interested in using all-natural ingredients with amazing benefits for your skin, check out our articles on Sea Buckthorn, Sea Salt, and Pumpkin. They all have amazing benefits for anti-aging without irritating chemicals.

One of my favorite things about mango butter is the lack of strong fragrance. That’s one major difference between it and cocoa or shea butter, which have distinctive scents. If the stronger scents of shea or cocoa butter bother you (like it does me), mango butter may be a better choice.

Non-Comedogenic

Pure mango butter is considered non-comedogenic, meaning it shouldn’t clog pores and can be used by those with acne-prone skin. Since it is also anti-inflammatory, it may help speed up the healing of acne scars. If you’re using a product that has other butter or oils mixed in, be sure to check the label carefully for pore-clogging ingredients.

How To Use Mango Butter

Mango butter can be used anytime, but I love it most after a bath or shower. It’s a very soft solid at room temperature and it melts as soon as it touches your skin.

It feels more like applying an oil than a lotion. The creamy texture flows smoothly onto the skin and melts when applied so you can continuously massage it into your dry patches without feeling greasy buildup.

Patch test: Always patch test first before applying a new product on your face or body, particularly if you have any skin conditions. Apply a thin layer of mango butter on your wrist and wait 24 hours to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction before using more.

Even though mango butter is a natural product, you can still have allergic reactions just as you could to any food.

Top Mango Butter Products

100% Pure Mango Butter by Better Shea Butter is a great raw, unrefined mango butter to use as is or in recipes to create other products.

Green Leaf Naturals Pure Mango Butter is another brand I trust for raw mango butter.

The Body Shop Mango Lip Butter actually contains both shea and mango butter. I love it for chapped lips and it comes in a cute tin that is easy to carry in your purse.

FAQ

Can I use mango butter on my face?

Yes, you can use mango butter on your face. Mango Butter is non-comedogenic so is a good choice compared to other body butter if you suffer from acne. Be careful to read labels when using mango butter on your face to make sure it has no artificial fragrance or dyes, as these can be irritating.

Can I use mango butter on my hair?

Yes, the oils and fats in mango butter that are moisturizing to the skin will also help your hair. Many kinds of butter also contain argan or jojoba oils, which are popular hair treatments. Leaving mango butter on your hair for an hour before rinsing out should restore shine and reduce flyaways. Mango butter can also be great for a dry scalp since it’s full of moisturizing essential fatty acids.

How long can I store mango butter?

As a general rule mango butter can be stored for up to 6 months. It should be wrapped tightly and kept cool. Some products that aren’t pure mango butter may have preservatives added, allowing them to stay fresher longer. Always check the label for the shelf life.

Although it is solid at room temperature, keep it in the refrigerator for best results. That also makes it feel amazing on sunburned skin! While it’s pretty solid at room temperature, it will melt quickly at warmer temperatures, so be careful when traveling.

Is mango butter better than shea butter or cocoa butter?

I wouldn’t say that either one is better than the other. I’ve written an entire article here talking about the benefits of popular kinds of butter and reviewing the most common types. If you are trying to pick out the best one for you I recommend you take a look. Shea butter and Cocoa Butter do have a distinctive nutty scent which mango butter doesn’t have if that is a concern for you.

Does mango butter get rid of stretch marks?

Mango butter has not been proven to permanently get rid of stretch marks. It has many benefits for the skin such as moisturizing, strengthening your skin barrier, and soothing irritated skin, but there are no studies showing it reduces stretch marks.

Cocoa butter is another one that I often hear is great for stretch marks, but again, I can’t find any studies to back up that claim with data. Taking care of your skin will help with skin elasticity, this is what allows it to snap back after being stretched by pregnancy or weight gain.

The best ways to take care of your skin are to protect it with sunscreens and to use antioxidants and retinoids to help build collagen. Since mango butter is full of antioxidants it can definitely help.

Can I mix Mango Butter with Shea Butter or Almond butter?

Absolutely! You can mix the butter together to create a blend that works best for you. Mango butter has high levels of essential fatty acids but maybe you also want to blend it with almond butter since it has antifungal properties. You can buy raw body butter and mix them yourself. I recommend this set by Better Shea Butter for raw ingredients.

Can I Make My Own Mango Butter?

While it may not be feasible to actually press the mango seeds yourself at home you can definitely buy raw, unrefined mango butter and make your own products. And to be honest raw mango butter is great to use just as it is. But if you do want to add to it you’ll find it works great in lip balms and in lotions with essential oils. There are also many recipes online for making your own body butter.

Final Thoughts on Mango Butter Benefits for Skin

Mango butter is all the rage right now and for good reason! It’s an easy addition to your skincare routine and it can make a huge difference in your skin. As the weather turns colder I know I’ll be turning to mango butter for relief this winter.

If you’re looking for a natural beauty routine, mango butter is perfect. You can’t go wrong with adding this to your skincare routine.

As the weather turns colder I know that mango butter will be a staple in my skincare routine. With its antioxidant-rich properties and hydrating effects, it is an easy skincare addition this winter.

Have you tried adding mango butter to your skin regimen? Which of these benefits have you noticed from using mango or other oils as part of your daily or weekly self-care ritual?