Mango Butter

INCI - Mangifera Indica Seed Butter.

What is it - Mango Seed Butter is a rich, plant-based fat extracted from the seeds of the mango fruit. It is used for its moisturising, emollient, and skin-conditioning properties, providing hydration and softness to the skin. Mango butter is commonly found in products like lotions, balms, creams, and hair care products, where it helps to improve skin elasticity and smoothness, while also offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

pH - N/A.

Safety limit - It can be used up to 100%, however is typically not used more than 10%.

Formulas used in - Moisturisers, body lotions, lip balms, hand creams, hair conditioners, facial cleansers, after-sun products, eye creams, exfoliating scrubs, shaving creams, soaps.

Formulation notes - Mango butter can be used in its raw form on the skin. Mango butter can come refined or unrefined. Refined is softer, paler in colour and easier to work with. Unrefined mango butter retains more nutrients however has a stronger odour, is harder and less pliable than refined mango butter. Do not use over 10% butters in your formulas otherwise you will have stability issues. Mango butter starts to melt at 24°C if you use over 10% the viscosity of your product will drop in hot climates. Mango butter can cause graininess in balms and body butters. This is happens when the mango butter is melted and it cools unevenly causing the stearic acid in it to crystallise out. This can be avoided by quick cooling - once your formulas melted put it into an ice bath or the fridge until it has fully cooled. You can also temper your butter, the same way chocolatiers do it. Gently warm the butter to room temperature around 20°C so that it reaches a soft consistency without being fully melted. This brings the butter to uniform temperature preventing your formula going grainy.

Odour - Characteristic mild fruity nutty odour - unrefined has stronger odour.

Form - Solid butter.

Heat sensitivity - Melting point between 24°C to 28°C.

Solubility - Oil soluble.

Natural / synthetic status - Natural.

Contraindications - Mango butter is generally safe for most skin types. Those with allergies to tree nuts should heed caution. Always do a patch test when using new ingredients.