From Dull to Radiant: The Benefits of Mango Butter for Your Skin + How to Use

If you're dealing with constantly dry and flakey skin, you're probably no starnger to butters, occupying quite some space on your skincare shelves. And indeed, butters, like cocoa and shea butter, are centuries-old dry skin remedies, thanks to their exceptional moistruizing and emollient properties. One of these butters that's maybe not as popular but just as powerful is mango butter.

Although, it's been around for a long time, it's only now gaining popularity as a natural alternative to skincare products and it promises a wide array of skin benefits, from healing to anti-aging.

So, in today's article, we'll delve into all the amazing benefits of mango butter for skin and provide detailed instructions on how to use it in your daily beauty routine.

What Is Mango Butter?

Mango butter is a thick oil or semi-solid fat derived from the mango kernels inside mango stones. It's produced through the process of extracting oil from the mango kernels, and then refining and solidifying it to form a butter-like consistency. Mango butter has a creamy, smooth texture (softer than cocoa butter but firmer than shea butter) and an off-white to light yellow color.

Mango butter is filled with nutrients, such as a variety of fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, and is, therefore, becoming increasingly popular in the beauty world.

In addition to its cosmetic uses, mango butter has also been used for its medicinal properties, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties [source], soothing skin irritations and inflammations like dermatitis.

Benefits of Mango Butter for Skin

Thanks to a variety of skin-loving nutrients it contains, mango butter has a wide range of skin benefits to offer:

• Moisturizing: Thanks to its high content of fatty acids, like oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, mango better locks the moisture in the skin and keeps it soft and supple.
• Anti-Aging: Mango butter contains antioxidants, like mangiferin, as well as vitamins E, A, and C, which protect the skin from free radicals and prevent damage and aging.
• Healing: Mango butter's essential fatty acid content promotes cell regeneration and faster healing. It's an excellent soothing remedy for skin irritations, such as eczema, dermatitis, and sunburn. Plus, it contains anti-inflammatory properties, reducing redness, swelling, and pain.
• Protecting: The fatty acids in mango butter are emollient, meaning they provide a barrier on the skin, shielding it against environmental stressors. That way, it prevents skin damage that may be caused by environmental influences, like dry weather and cold winds.
• Brightening: Mango butter is rich in carotenoids, which are natural skin-whitening agents that also even out the skin tone. In addition, it can reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
• Lightweight: Mango butter has a low melting point, making it easily absorbed into the skin. However, it can be comedogenic, meaning it has a tendency to clog pores and cause breakouts. So, if you have acne, avoid applying mango butter to your face.

How to Use Mango Butter for Skin

If you wondered how to incorporate this wonder of nature into your beauty routine, here are a few ideas:

As a Moisturizer

Mango butter can be used as a stand-alone product and applied directly to the skin as a face or a full-body moisturizer to treat dry, cracked, or irritated skin. It can be used as daily moisturizer in the morning or at night.

Before applying mango butter, it's essential to cleanse the skin to remove any impurities and allow the butter to absorb better. If you're using it as a face moisturizer, as a part of your morning routine, give it a solid 5-10 minutes to absorb completely before applying sunscreen and makeup.

As a Base for DIY skincare

Mango butter also makes for an excellent oil base for DIY skincare recipes, such as face masks, scrubs, and soaps. Simply mix the butter with other natural ingredients, like honey, coconut oil, or essential oils, to create custom skincare products, tailored to your specific skin concerns.

You can DIY whipped body butter with mango butter and shea butter by using a hand mixer or immersion blender when making it. Or you can quickly whip up a DIY body scrub by mixing mango butter with brown sugar.

As a Lip Balm

Mango butter is very rich and moisturizing, making it a perfect home remedy for dry, flakey, and chapped lips. You can use it daily, several times a day, as needed, to keep the lips soft and hydrated. Here's how to use it as a lip treatment:

• Step 1: Before applying it, use a lip scrub or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently exfoliate the lips.
• Step 2: Scoop a small amount of the butter, approximately the size of a pea, onto your fingertips. Rub your fingertips to warm up the butter. This will make it easier to apply and your skin will absorb it quicker.
• Step 3: Gently massage the mango butter onto your lips, covering the entire lip area.
• Step 4: Wait for a few minutes to allow the butter to absorb fully. Avoid eating or drinking during this time.

Although mango butter is generally safe and well-tolerated by most people, it's always a good idea to do a patch test before using it all over the skin. Also, if you're allergic to mangoes, avoid using it or doing the patch test.

Takeaway...

If you're on the lookout for a natural and versatile skincare ingredient that you can use as an alternative to your moisturizer or lip balm, mango butter can be, without any doubt, your final stop. Whether used on its own or as a key ingredient in your DIY skincare mixtures, mango butter will hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin. So, give it a try and experience the many skin benefits it touts!

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