Mango Butter vs Cocoa Butter, what do you wish you knew!
Humans are blessed to be surrounded by organic plants that are not only beneficial to the skin but the hair and overall well-being as well.
Among these are the mango and cocoa butter derived from the Mangifera Indica tree and Theobroma Tree organically.
This natural butter has outstanding benefits. Both are essential for skin treatment. In fact, mango butter benefits are a lot more essential for your skin than cocoa butter.
The table below explains why.
Cocoa Butter Vs Mango Butter
| Properties | Mango Butter | Cocoa Butter |
| Anti-aging | Mango butter, when used consistently, makes skin smoother especially when applied to the face because of its high content of collagen, oleic acid and monounsaturated fats. | Cocoa butter contains antioxidant flavonoids which give it anti-aging properties. Thus consistently using |
| Lifespan | Mango butter has a short lifespan between 4-6 months. | Doesn’t go bad quickly because of its high resistance to oxidative rancidity. It has a lifespan of 2-5 years. |
| Hair properties | Makes an excellent hair conditioner because it absorbs quickly | Improves the texture of hair by making them softer and more manageable |
| Face butter | Mango butter is a great nutrient for moisturizing your face and keeping it smooth. However, it may not be a good fit for an oily face as it may clog your pores. | Cocoa butter, although it’s an excellent skin moisturizer, is not recommended to be applied on your face and it is only and may clog your pores, causing acne. |
| Melting point | Mango butter has a high melting point so it’s not ideal for making sweets. This means that you’re more likely to find mango butter being used by manufacturers who focus their products on moisturizing and softening. | Meanwhile, Cocoa butter has a lower melting point; around 94°F and can be used as an ingredient in food products like chocolate, baked goods and candies. |
| Sunburn | Moisturizing and offers minimal protection from the sun. It also helps ease dry skin conditions and slows down the degeneration of skin cells. | Moisturizing and penetrates the skin easily, giving maximum protection from the sun. Cocoa butter keeps your dry skin moisturized by penetrating deep into the pores. |
| Nutrients | Nutrient-dense; contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Mango butter is packed with fiber, vitamins C, B6, A, E, and minerals. They’re also a good source of folate, potassium, calcium, and beta carotene. Many of the vitamins found in mango hold skin-improving powers, so it makes sense to blend it into butter for skincare. | Cocoa butter is high in vitamin D2, a precursor to the active form of vitamin D in the body. It’s also rich in minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and magnesium, but it’s low in health-promoting polyphenol. |
| Fatty acids | It contains more fatty acids making it a more intense moisturizer that contains antioxidants and Omega-rich fatty acids, including; Palmitic Acid7-10%Stearic Acid30-45%Oleic Acid (Omega 9)38-50 %Linoleic Acid (Omega 6)3-7% | Cocoa butter, like all fats, is composed of several fatty acids. It has approximately;25% palmitic acid,35% stearic acid,35% oleic acid, and3% linoleic acid,2% other fatty acids |
| Healing properties | Collagen in mango protects and moisturizes your skin while fortifying your bones. | Cocoa butter is a primary component of many topical treatments for conditions like eczema and dermatitis. The rich moisture content and protective oil-based nature of cocoa butter eases itching and allows the skin to heal after exposure to sensitive chemicals. |
What is mango butter?
Mango butter is a fat that originates from mango seeds. The product exists in refined and unrefined forms. Mango butter is semi-solid at room temperature but melts when it touches the skin.
Like cocoa butter, mango butter nourishes your skin and hair and supports your overall skin health. Some forms of mango butter are also edible; mango butter is included as an ingredient in chocolates and other snacks.
Mango Butter is made by cold-pressing the pulp found inside the seeds from the tropical Mango Tree and has a melty, creamy texture.
Also Read: What is Cocoa Butter Made of? Everything You Need to Know!
Mango butter benefits to the skin
1. Moisturizes skin
Mango is a richer source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that keep your skin moisturized than cocoa butter. Just 100 grams of mango contains most of your daily recommended dose of Vitamin C, which produces collagen. The high amount of antioxidants also helps to prevent aging and nourishes your skin’s health.
Again, mango butter is a great source of Vitamin E, Vitamin A, folates, and copper.
2. Hydrates dry scalp and keep it moisturized
Mangoes also support hair health, as they provide a good amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A helps provide sebum, which moisturizes the hair. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including the skin and hair.
3. Gives your skin a younger skin tone
The abundance of Vitamin E and Vitamin C in mangos helps protect your skin from direct sunlight, and pollution. Consistent exposure to sunlight can lead to damage and premature aging.
Beyond this, the high levels of Vitamin A in mangos also help reduce sun damage, a powerful catalyst for premature aging.
You can reap the skin benefits of mango butter’s richness of vitamins by using mango butter topically or as an oral supplement.
4. Smoothes rough patches of skin like eczema or burns
While mango butter contains properties that help in treating skin conditions like eczema, it also has excellent softening properties so it’s ideal for moisturizing dry patches like the elbows, knees and heels.
5. Supports collagen production
Mango butter contains high concentrations of Vitamin C, which stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is a compound found in your skin and in the connective tissues that make up your tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Collagen is the most common protein in the body; it helps structure your skin, fortify your bones, and support joints.
What is cocoa butter?
Cocoa butter is simply a vegetable fat that comes from raw cocoa beans. Manufacturers extract cocoa butter by roasting, stripping, and then pressing cocoa beans to separate the fat. Cocoa butter is ideal for skincare, chocolate production and hair health.
Also Read: How to Make Cocoa Butter: A Step-by-Step Guide!
Cocoa butter benefits for skin
1. Moisturizes skin
Raw cocoa butter is high in fatty acids and deeply hydrates the skin by forming a protective barrier to hold in moisture. It also contains oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, all of which nourish the skin. This makes cocoa butter a wonderful addition to moisturizers, body lotions, and lip balms.
2. Hydrates dry scalp
Cocoa butter deeply penetrates and nourishes your hair, especially natural hair by soothing and supporting scalp health. It provides an easy way to manage your hair and helps maintain long-lasting hydration. Using a scalp treatment with cocoa butter is especially nourishing for natural hair.
3. Can soothe eczema
Fats in cocoa butter help form a protective layer on the skin, preventing moisture from escaping, and therefore stopping the skin from drying out. In this way, the skin is moisturized, protecting it from skin conditions like eczema.
4. Contain Vitamins and Minerals
A significant number of nutrients and vitamins can be found in pure cocoa butter: vitamin E and vitamin K, choline, magnesium, copper, and iron. Iron is usually found in green leafy foods like spinach and broccoli and is a great resource for a glowing complexion. Copper is a popular skincare ingredient for supporting healthy collagen and elastin levels for supple, bouncy skin.
How to make whipped mango butter at home
Like cocoa butter, you can use raw mango butter on your skin; rubbing it directly on the skin. Just cut out a little of the butter and rub it on the skin and the butter melts easily with your body temperature.
However, if you want to make mango body butter at home, you will need to melt the butter on low flame and mix it with a few drops of essentials for the fragrance and carrier oil. Subsequently cool and whip it, whipping makes for a light and a fluffy whipped cream-like consistency.
Also Read: Cocoa Butter vs Coconut Oil: Which is Better for Skin Care?
Follow the steps below to make mango butter
Ingredients
- Mango butter
- Cocoa butter
- Sweet almond oil
- Essential oil; lavender
- Hand mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Airtight jar
Guidelines
- Cut mango butter and cocoa butter into small chunks
- Then melt the butter in a double boiler. It is not necessary to melt almond oil, if that is your choice of carrier oil. Meanwhile, coconut oil can solidify in colder countries, therefore melting it together with the other kinds of butter.
- If you don’t have a double boiler, make one by placing a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
- After the mixture has melted, pour the mixer into a bowl and place in the freezer until it is semi-solid.
- Remove from freezer when semi-solid
- Add carrier oil, essential oils, and arrowroot powder to the mixer.
- Whip the ingredients together using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- The mixer turns fluffy creamy
- Transfer into an airtight jar and cover
- Store in a cool dry place
How to make whipped homemade cocoa butter?
- Melt ¾ cup cocoa butter and ¼ cup coconut oil (you can use mango butter)
- Place the liquid in the freezer for 20 minutes
- Whip the mixture for 5 minutes till it becomes silky smooth or fluffy
- Store in an airtight jar
Frequently Asked Questions
What Nutrients Does Mango Butter Contain?
The main chemical constituents of Mango Butter are Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
Which Is Better; Mango Or Cocoa Butter?
While mango butter is softer than shea and cocoa butter, it contains more fatty acids making it a more intense moisturizer. It has little to no odor and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it helps ease dry skin conditions and slows down degeneration of skin cells.
Is Mango Butter Good For Your Face?
When applied topically, mango butter can form a protective layer that may help moisturize your skin. Similar to cocoa butter, mango butter is an effective moisturizer and may help soften your skin.
Can Mango Butter Clog Pores?
Mango butter is lightweight, non-greasy and non-comedogenic. It is also antibacterial and can help soothe acne inflammation. Not only can it help nourish the acne-prone skin, but it can also reduce acne breakouts by signaling the skin to start producing less sebum
Can You Substitute Mango Butter For Cocoa Butter?
Mango butter or avocado butter can also be used in the place of cocoa butter. These butters are made from liquid oils that have been hydrogenated. They will create a softer final product and behave more like liquid oils in the final balm or salve.
Is Mango Butter Good For Your Skin?
Mango is a nutritious fruit loaded with healthy nutrients that can help support your skin and overall health. The vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants in mango may help you prevent premature aging and protect your skin from sun damage.
Is Mango Butter The Same As Cocoa Butter?
Mango butter is extracted from the mango kernel and is similar in consistency to shea butter and Cocoa butter but is slightly higher in essential fatty acids. Due to the thick consistency of these butter, you might need to put in a bit more ‘elbow grease’ to rub them into your skin.
What Does Cocoa Butter Do For The Skin?
Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids, which is why it’s often touted for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin and improve elasticity. The fat in cocoa butter forms a protective barrier over the skin to hold in moisture.
Which is better, mango butter or cocoa butter?
While both mango and cocoa butter benefits are very outstanding in terms of skincare, the nutrients in mango seem to outweigh that of cocoa butter, however unique.
So if you’re looking to protect your skin from sunburn while on the beach, it would be prudent to go for cocoa butter.
Howbeit, the nutrients in mango butter will nourish and keep your skin looking younger. Cocoa butter also offers anti-aging properties.
Similarly, if you’re looking to even your skin tone, mango butter might be ideal for you, but if you’re looking for a skin lightening agent, cocoa butter may be the better choice.
Both kinds of butter can moisturize dry scalp, so if that’s your goal, then it doesn’t matter which one you choose!
