At Hope for Skin, we cherish every ingredient not just for what it does on the outside, but for the story it carries — the hands that harvest it, the land it’s grown on, the centuries of wisdom behind its use. Mango butter is one of those stories. Creamy, lush, and carrying both historical tradition and modern science, mango butter is a reminder that beauty has roots — deep, nourishing, and abundant.
Origins & Traditional Use
Mango butter comes from the kernels inside the stone of the mango fruit (Mangifera indica) — seeds often considered a by-product of mango farming. Many tropical and subtropical regions, especially in South Asia and parts of Africa, have long traditions of using every part of the mango tree. The seed, which yields mango butter, was historically used for local skin care and medicinal remedies. Mango trees have been cultivated in India for over 4,000 years, and in Ayurveda mango (and parts of the mango tree) have been valued for their nourishing, healing, and protective properties.
In many communities, after enjoying the sweet mango flesh, the remaining seed was not discarded but repurposed. Its fat was rendered into butter or oil and applied to skin: to soothe dryness, heal chapped feet or hands, calm irritation, and protect against the sun and rough weather.
Scientific Discovery & Cosmetic Adoption
As trade expanded and cosmetic science evolved, mango butter began to be studied for its chemical composition and its value in more formal skincare and cosmetic formulations. Researchers have confirmed that mango seed fat has a fatty acid profile similar in some respects to butters like shea and cocoa — including oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. These are fats that help moisturize, protect the skin barrier, and keep skin feeling soft.
One study developed a foot-cream using mango butter and found it helped repair cracked and dry skin, showing that it can serve both cosmetic and medicinal care roles. Another project in Thailand processed mango seeds (kernels) into butter, studying different mango cultivars and finding consistent fatty acids across them, confirming the seed’s value not just as waste but as a nourishing resource.
Traditional Remedies & Folk Beauties
In traditional systems of wellness — Ayurveda, folk herbalism, and local community care — mango butter has been used to address many skin needs:
- Dryness & Cracks: Applied to rough skin, cracked heels, dry elbows, and hands that suffer from constant dryness. The natural emollient and occlusive qualities help seal in moisture.
- Skin Sensitivity & Irritation: Used to soothe inflammation, calm sensitivity from environmental stress, sun exposure, or insect bites. Mango butter’s phytochemicals and unsaturated fatty acids play a role here.
- Healing & Repair: Folk remedies often included mango butter in salves or creams for worn or damaged skin. One scientific formulation with mango butter showed efficacy in wound healing in animal and human models.
- Moisturizing & Glow: “Radiance” is a word often used in traditional beauty texts and modern descriptions alike. Mango butter’s antioxidant content, including vitamins A, C, E, and polyphenols, helps protect skin and contribute to a brighter, more even appearance.
Modern Cosmetic Science & Uses
Today, mango butter remains beloved in natural skincare and has been adopted widely in creams, butters, balms, hair products, and more, both for its texture and its function:
- It’s used in cosmetic formulations as an emollient: it melts at skin temperature, spreads well, and doesn’t leave a heavy greasy feel.
- Studies show it helps with skin repair, especially in formulations made for cracked, dry or rough skin (for example in foot care creams).
- It’s been evaluated for antioxidant properties: mango butter contains polyphenols, catechins, and phytosterols, which guard skin against oxidative damage, support skin barrier health, and help retain moisture.
- Its stability to oxidation (resistance to rancidity) makes it a good choice in formulations that need a longer shelf life without heavy preservatives.
A Gift From Tradition to Today
From ancient Ayurvedic medicine and folk remedies to modern cosmetic science and artisanal skincare, mango butter is a bridge between tradition and innovation. When you use mango butter today, you participate in a legacy of care — where people have long known that true nourishment comes from nature, intention, and patience.
At Hope for Skin, we embrace mango butter not only for what it does — softening skin, promoting radiance, soothing irritation — but for what it means: that sometimes the gentlest things (a seed, a butter, a calm touch) carry the greatest healing.
References
- Mandawgade, S.D., & Patravale, V.B. (2008). Formulation and Evaluation of Exotic Fat Based Cosmeceuticals for Skin Repair. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. PMC2792546.
- Klinkajorn, S., Sukhasem, S. Production of mango seed butter for cosmetic use. Acta Horticulturae 1312: Article 84.
- Healthline. Mango Butter Benefits: composition, uses, and skin effects.
- Typology. Biochemical Composition of Mango Butter.
- Ayurveda & Forest Essentials. Traditional uses and benefits in skin healing & moisturizing.