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Natural plant-based butters - with shea, mango, and cocoa butter - have been a cosmetic sensation for the past few seasons. You can find them in creams, body balms, and even cleansing and makeup removal products. What is the secret of their popularity and why should you consider using them in your daily skincare routine?
Natural plant-based butters - the secret to healthy and nourished skin
Plant-based butters are natural fats obtained from the seeds or fruits of various trees and shrubs. Mango butter is extracted from Indian mango seeds, cocoa butter from ripe cocoa fruits, and shea butter from the fruits of the Shea tree, also known as the shea tree. All of them are rich in ingredients that have a positive impact on the condition and health of skin. This primarily includes valuable fatty acids, mainly oleic and stearic acids, as well as phytosterols, vitamins, and nutrients. So, let's take a closer look at all three and examine their properties.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a versatile cosmetic ingredient with a creamy or slightly yellowish colour, a nutty scent, and a dense, oily texture. It can be used in various products such as body balms, hand and face creams, lip balms, sunscreens, and hair conditioners. It is a natural ingredient that is well-tolerated by most skin types, but it is particularly recommended for dry and dehydrated skin.
The key properties of shea butter are:
- Moisturization - it acts as a natural emollient that prevents skin from drying out.
- UV protection - it contains a naturally low level of UV filtration, which can help protect the skin from UVB radiation (though it does not replace traditional sunscreens).
- Nourishment - thanks to the abundance of vitamins A and E, it helps maintain skin elasticity and combat signs of aging.
- Regeneration - due to its moisturizing and strengthening properties, shea butter helps reduce the visibility of scars and stretch marks on the skin.
- Anti-inflammatory action - it helps soothe skin irritations, inflammations, itching, and supports the healing process of wounds, abrasions, and minor cuts.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa bean seeds, which are also used to make chocolate, hence the familiar scent. It has a pale yellow or beige colour. The consistency of cocoa butter (solid at room temperature and liquid when heated to 34-38 degrees Celsius) makes it suitable for various cosmetic products, including body balms, hand creams, lip balms, and many more.
The main properties of cocoa butter include:
- Moisturization - cocoa butter effectively moisturizes the skin, helping it retain moisture and maintain softness and elasticity.
- Delaying the aging process - it is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, which help fight free radicals and maintain a youthful appearance of the skin.
- Reducing scars and stretch marks - it aids in reducing the visibility of scars and stretch marks, soothes the skin, and promotes cell regeneration.
- Supporting skin healing - due to its moisturizing and regenerative properties, cocoa butter can accelerate the healing process of wounds.
- UV protection - it protects the skin from sun exposure and aids in skin regeneration after sunburn.
Mango Butter
Unrefined mango butter, the most valuable form, has a thick consistency and a light-yellow colour. It is suitable for skin and hair care products, such as body balms, hand creams, lip balms, facial masks, and many more. It is suitable for all skin types, but particularly recommended for atopic, dry, very sensitive, and dehydrated skin. It is recommended for both adults and children with dermatological issues such as eczema, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis.
The key properties of mango butter are:
- Moisturization - mango butter is a natural emollient that supports the skin's natural hydrolipidic barrier, preventing it from drying out and helping it maintain softness and elasticity.
- Soothing irritations - it helps reduce inflammation and skin irritations, including peeling, itching, and redness, making it often used in products for sensitive skin.
- Skin nourishment and regeneration - mango butter is rich in vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin E, which nourish the skin and help maintain its healthy appearance.
- Skin brightening and elimination of discolouration - it naturally contains high levels of vitamin C, which can help brighten the skin, reduce discolouration, and even out skin tone.
- Smoothing and softening - its high content of fatty acids helps maintain skin softness and elasticity, and it has strong anti-wrinkle properties.
For many years, cosmetic companies have been competing to develop increasingly innovative and technologically advanced ingredients for their products. All to better moisturize, nourish, and regenerate the skin. However, years of research have shown that valuable ingredients do not need to be created in laboratories. They can be obtained from nature by pressing them from mango seeds, shea tree fruits, or cocoa fruits. Furthermore, they do not need to be excessively processed, as excessive filtering, purification, and whitening can destroy their unique properties. And if they are combined in the right proportions and enriched with other natural ingredients such as ceramides, plant oils, and probiotics, you can create cosmetic gems for special skincare needs. Such as products based on unrefined mango butter by Mangomica.
