Benefits of Mango Butter for Hair and Skin

Mango butter is made from the mango fruit. The seeds are cold-pressed to produce the butter. Mango is native to southern Asia, especially eastern India and Burma, and was introduced to California in 1880. People in the rainforest and tropics have been using mango butter for hair and skin care for hundreds of years. It contains important antioxidants and is rich in vitamins, including vitamins A and E.

The composition of mango butter resembles that of shea and cocoa but the fatty acid content is a bit different. Fatty acids include oleic (42.9%), stearic (41.7%), palmitic (6.9%), and linoleic (3%). It is non-greasy and has a slightly sweet and fatty aroma in its natural form.

Benefits

Mango butter has emollient properties that moisturize the skin. When applied, it reduces degeneration of skin cells and restores flexibiltiy. It is used to treat dry skin as well as relieve itching. Women use it to help prevent stretch marks and dermatologists often recommend it to erase wrinkles and fine lines. It is used in skin care products, including soaps, lotions, shaving creams, and hair products. It is also a common ingredient in lip balms.

Mango butter promotes healing and is used for a number of problems such as wounds, sunburn, skin rashes, insect bites, eczema, and even frost bite. It is also used as a massage cream and can help soothe sore and tense muscles.

Using Mango Butter

Mango butter is relatively hard and does not apply well by itself. However, once liquified and warm, it will spread evenly onto the skin. It is best used with other ingredients.

Storing

The shelf life of mango butter is about two years if stored in a cool, dark place.

Recipes

Mango Body Butter

In a double boiler, melt (and stir) 2 ounces of mango butter, 2 ounces of shea butter, 2 ounces of cocoa butter, 3 teaspoons of apricot kernel oil, 1 teaspoon of wheat germ oil, and 1 teaspoon of beeswax. Remove from the double boiler, allow the mixture to cool over a few hours, and stir again. Place in a glass container and let it sit overnight before using.

Tropical Body Butter

This recipe has fewer ingredients and is very simple to make. Add 1 tablespoon of mango butter, 1/2 cup of shea butter, and 1/4 cup of coconut oil in a wide-mouthed jar. Let the ingredients melt in the sun and stir.

Hair Oil Treatment

In a double boiler, melt (and stir) 1/8 cup of mango butter, 1/8 cup of cocoa butter, 1/8 cup of avocado butter, 1 cup of macadamia nut oil, 1 cup of sunflower seed oil, 1/4 cup of hemp seed oil, 1/8 cup of jojoba oil, 1/8 cup of avocado oil, and 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil. Store in a jar and when ready to use, gently heat it up in a bowl of boiling water for about 10 minutes until liquified and warm.

Apply generously to your hair and scalp, leave on for 15-20 minutes, then shampoo (you may need to shampoo twice). Do this once a week for beautiful results.

When using mango butter for hair and skin care, organic is best.

Sources Used

Mountain Rose Herbs: Mango Butter Profile - https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/butter/mango.php

Cosmetic Grade: Mango Butter - https://www.cosmeticgrade.com/Mango-Butter-p-400.html

Zimbio: Homemade Mango Body Butter Recipe - https://www.zimbio.com/Natural+Hair+and+Skin+Care/articles/831/Homemade+Mango+Body+Butter+Recipe

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mango_hanging.jpg

Disclaimer

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