Mango Butter: What are its properties for the skin?

The mango tree is a tropical plant native to Asia, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. It is primarily cultivated for its sweet and refreshing fruits. Beyond its nutritional values, the mango contains a kernel that encloses a highly valued ingredient in cosmetics: the mango butter.

Also referred to as mango oil, this substance has a semi-solid texture at room temperature and becomes melting when it comes into contact with the skin or when the external temperature exceeds 30°C. Mango butter has excellent stability to oxidation and emits a soft, vegetal scent. It also has several benefits for the skin that we invite you to discover.

Mango butter is rich in antioxidants, specifically catechin, a polyphenol. These work by donating an electron to free radicals, unstable reactive oxygen species capable of inflicting damage to DNA and cells, and implicated in the premature ageing of skin cells. Polyphenols also help to prevent the degradation of collagen and elastin, compounds essential to the structure of the skin, by free radicals. Thus, the topical application of mango butter has a preventive action on wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of skin sagging.

The unsaturated fatty acids and squalene found in mango butter play a crucial role in restoring the skin's lipid barrier. Oleic acid, an omega-9 in mango butter, is naturally present in the hydrolipidic film and promotes skin protection and hydration. The topical application of mango butter thus has beneficial properties for skin protection, as it helps to strengthen the hydrolipidic film. This acts as a shield to keep the skin hydrated and protected from external aggressions (wind, temperature changes, pollution, sun rays...).

The saturated fatty acids found in mango butter help to soothe the skin and maintain its structure. Indeed, these compounds have a structure similar to that of the lipids that make up the stratum corneum of the epidermis. They are thus able to integrate into it where they play the role of intercellular cement. By contributing to the restoration and cohesion of the stratum corneum, saturated fatty acids also promote its impermeability, which helps to prevent skin dehydration. Skincare products containing mango butter are therefore recommended for dry or atopic skin, which lack lipids. They also help the skin to restore its lipid composition after prolonged exposure to the sun or pollution.

Mango butter also has anti-inflammatory properties due to the phytosterols present in its composition. However, the mechanism by which these molecules act has not yet been fully elucidated and further research is still required. Thus, mango butter could potentially alleviate itching or certain redness.

In order to harness its benefits for the skin, we have decided to incorporate mango butter (INCI name: Mangifera Indica Seed Butter) into our lip repair mask. Composed of 98% natural ingredients, this treatment combines the lipid-replenishing action of ceramides (INCI name: Ceramides NG) with the moisturising action of hyaluronic acid (INCI name: Sodium Hyaluronate) to repair chapped lips. The mango butter present in the mask allows it to melt onto the lips and form a protective barrier. After 15 minutes of application, the lips are more comfortable and supple.

You can also find mango butter in our radiance mask. Also containing turmeric (INCI: Curcuma Longa Rhizome Powder), lemon verbena hydrosol (INCI: Lippia Citriodora Leaf Water) and yellow clay (INCI: Kaolin), this treatment is an ally for restoring skin radiance. The synergy of these ingredients revitalises the epidermis and protects it from the effects of oxidative stress, by neutralising free radicals. Moreover, this mask prevents the appearance of pigmentation spots, for a uniform and luminous complexion. After application, it leaves the skin soft.

• DURAN DE BAZUA M. & al. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed and its fats. Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease (2011).

• OMAR A. & al. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) by-products and their valuable components: a review. Food Chemistry (2015).

• NOMURA M. & al. Evaluation of the fatty acid composition of the seeds of Mangifera indica L. and their application. Journal of Oleo Science (2015).

• GLAVAC N. & al. Vegetable butters and oils in skin wound healing: scientific evidence for new opportunities in dermatology. Phytotherapy Research (2020).