Let’s unpack which is better – mango butter vs shea butter. Both are better than conventional body butters that are full of synthetic fragrances and unpronounceable ingredients, but here are the pros and cons of each.
Swapping out conventional body butters for homemade products like DIY nontoxic shea butter lip balm or cold infused rosehip oil can be overwhelming because there are so many recipes and ingredients available to choose from. But the important thing to know is that usually homemade recipes are far superior to store bought products. This is because you can avoid using synthetic fragrances and other ingredients that can be toxic to your body.
Both shea butter and mango butter are good options for homemade body products, but in this post I’ll cover what you need to know before deciding which to use, mango butter vs shea butter.
What is mango butter?
Mango butter is a creamy fat made from mango seeds. The butter is made by extracting the fat from mango seeds using a process called cold-pressing.
The mango seeds are removed from the fruit, cleaned, and dried. Then the outer shell of the seed is removed and the inner seed is then ‘cold-pressed’ or mechanically pressed at a low temperature to extract the oil. Cold-pressing helps to retain the natural nutrients and beneficial properties in mango seeds. What’s left is the rich fat that we call mango butter.
What is shea butter?
Shea butter comes from the nuts of the shea tree, which are primarily found in West Africa. To make shea butter, the nuts are collected and then the outer shell of the nut is removed to reveal the kernel. The kernels are then roasted, to enhance the natural oils in the kernel and bring out the aroma that is common in shea butter.
Then the kernels are ground into a paste and pressed, to separate the oil from the solids. The remaining oil is what we know as shea butter.
Pros of mango butter
Vitamins and antioxidants – mango butter contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants, which can contribute to skin health by fighting free radicals and promoting collagen production.
Quick absorption – because mango butter has less fat, it absorbs into skin more quickly, which some people prefer (for example if your skin tends toward being greasy).
Less greasy – mango butter has less fat content than shea butter, which means that it is not as greasy on most skin types.
Long shelf life – if stored in a cool, dry place, mango butter can last a long time (around two years).
Cons of mango butter
Cost – mango butter tends to be more expensive than other less toxic moisturisers like shea butter.
Less available – mango butter tends to be harder to find for some people.
Scent – mango butter has a slight sweet scent which some people may not like.
Allergies – people who are allergic to mangos could have an allergic reaction to using products with mango butter.
Pros of shea butter
Anti-inflammatory – it contains anti-inflammatory properties, making it suitable for soothing irritated or sensitive skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis.
Intense moisturisation – shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, which can help alleviate dry and flaky skin.
Collagen production – shea butter may stimulate collagen production, which can help with skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Natural sun protection – it offers some level of natural sun protection due to its content of cinnamic acid, which provides a mild barrier against UV rays.
Less expensive than mango butter – shea butter is typically easier to find and tends to cost less than mango butter
Long shelf life – if stored in a cool, dry place, shea butter can also last around two years
Cons of shea butter
Heavy texture – because shea butter has a higher fat content, it can feel too heavy and rich for some skin types.
Slower absorption – again because of the higher fat content in shea butter, it can take more time for body butters with shea butter to absorb into certain skin types.
Scent – shea butter has a distinct natural earthy, nutty scent, which some people might not like.
So which is better for your skin- mango butter vs shea butter?
It depends on your personal preferences and skin type. Overall, shea butter is better for drier skin, and mango butter is more suited for greasier or acne-prone skin.
How to use mango butter?
Because mango butter is lighter than shea butter, it makes a wonderful light body butter.
How to use shea butter?
I use shea butter to make lip balm, homemade body butters, and salves.
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