Beyond their distinct and sweet flavor, mangos can also be effective in soothing skin. Recently, mangos have become a popular ingredient in beauty butters, lip balms, and more.
The source of mangos’ rich benefits are its seeds. Mango butter is crafted by extracting the content of the mango seed and cold-pressing it into a creamy butter.
Mango butter is a fat that originates from mango seeds — it exists in refined and unrefined forms. Mango butter is semi-solid and melts when it touches the skin.
Like shea and cocoa butter, mango butter can nourish skin and hair and support overall skin health. Some forms of mango butter are also edible. Mango butter is included as an ingredient in chocolates and other snacks.
Health Benefits
Mango is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Just 100 grams of mango contains most of your daily recommended dose of Vitamin C. It is also a great source of Vitamin E, Vitamin A, folates, and copper.
When consumed, the abundance of Vitamin C encourages your body’s collagen production, while the high amount of antioxidants prevents excessive signs of aging and sun damage.
When applied topically, mangos possess hydrating properties. These qualities make mango a powerful food for nourishing your skin’s health.
In addition, mango butter can provide other health benefits like:
Supports Collagen Production
Mango butter contains high concentrations of Vitamin C, which research shows stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is a compound found in your skin and in the connective tissues that make up your tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Collagen is the most common protein in the body, but the aging process breaks it down and makes it more difficult to produce more. Collagen helps structure your skin, fortify your bones, and support joints.
Hydrates Skin
When applied topically, mango butter can form a protective layer that may help moisturize your skin. Similar to cocoa butter, mango butter is an effective moisturizer and may help soften your skin.
Prevents Signs of Aging
The abundance of Vitamin E and Vitamin C in mangos may help protect your skin from environmental stressors like sunlight, pollution, and even blue light from screens. These stressors can lead to damage and premature aging.
Beyond this, the high levels of Vitamin A in mangos may also help reduce sun damage, a powerful catalyst to premature aging.
You can reap the skin benefits of mango butter’s richness of vitamins by using mango butter topically or as an oral supplement.
Nutrition
Mango butter is a rich source of mangiferin, an antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cellular damage that can cause diseases such as cancer.
It is also an excellent source of:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Copper
- Folates
Nutrients per Serving
100 grams of raw mango contains:
- Calories: 60
- Protein: 0.82 grams
- Fat: 0.38 grams
- Carbohydrates: 14.98 grams
- Fiber: 1.6 grams
- Sugar: 13.66 grams
Things to Watch Out For
Consuming and using mango butter on your skin is safe when used as directed. Take care to consume only edible mango butter, never products that are meant for your skin.
Some people may experience an allergic reaction to mango butter, whether consumed or used topically. Watch for rashes and other allergy symptoms when using mango butter products.
How to Use Mango Butter
Mango butter can be a healthy component in lower-calorie chocolate. There are also many do-it-yourself recipes for homemade mango butter as a nutrient-rich spread on toast or pastries.
However, mango butter is most commonly used for its skin and beauty benefits. You can apply mango butter directly to skin, hair, and nails.