Shea Butter vs Mango Butter
Shea butter and mango butter are both nourishing and moisturising plant-based butters that can be used in skin and hair care products. Both can be used in a variety of products, such as lotions, creams, soaps, and conditioners. They can also be used on their own as natural remedies for dry skin and hair. While they have some similarities, they also have some differences in terms of origin, texture, composition and benefits.
Shea butter
Shea butter is one of the most popular natural moisturisers used by people all over the world. This amazing product is widely used in cosmetics and has been used for a very long time by African women. It is usually light and creamy and is derived from the fruit of the Shea tree. As such, it is a great skin moisturiser that can be used daily. For a full breakdown of what makes shea butter so special, see What is Shea Butter?
Benefits of Shea butter
Shea butter has been used to moisturise skin since the 1500s. The saponins in the Shea Butter are extremely effective in absorbing excessive heat and keeping your skin moist. Today, Shea butter is still widely used in moisturisers due to its hydrating effect on the skin. Another benefit is that Shea butter will not easily get absorbed into your skin. This is because of its high moisture content, which allows your body to retain moisture in itself instead of absorbing it from your outer skin layers.
When it comes to its use as a moisturiser, Shea butter is really simple to apply. All you need is a thin layer on your face. Or if you want to apply it on your whole body, just add a small amount on your skin. And to make things even easier, you can always purchase Shea butter in a whipped form or butter cream form.
But have you ever thought about how it is used for treating different conditions? For instance, did you know that Shea butter is often used in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema? It is also used to help treat some acne problems. The best thing about Shea butter is that you can use it without worrying about the side effects that come with other anti-acne products. With regular use, you can expect your skin to have a smooth and clear appearance.
Shea butter has very mild antibacterial properties, which makes it ideal for the treatment of acne. Aside from that, it has some unique moisturizing properties that makes it safe and effective in the treatment of dry skin. It is actually one of the few products available that can effectively remove dead skin cells without causing any harm to your skin.
In addition to that, Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E. This is the reason why people often choose products with Shea butter rather than opting for other creams and lotions.
Mango Butter
Mango butter is a type of body butter that is made from the kernels of the tropical mango tree. Mango butter is highly hydrating and moisturizing, when applied to the skin it feels light and isn't greasy.
While Mango butter has a similar feel and structure to Shea and Cocoa butter, it contains more fatty acids, making it a more intense moisturizer. Mango butter is a natural emollient that offers skin softness, calming and moisturising properties. It is white in colour, and has a slightly sweet smell.
Mango butter is rich in several vitamins and minerals. It contains essential fatty acids, vitamin A, E, B6 and C.
Mango butter also known as mango seed fat, or mangosteen contains about twice as much vitamin E as comparable products; it is also an excellent source of antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Benefits of Mango Butter
In addition to Shea butter and Cocoa butter, Mango butter is one of the butters most commonly used in homemade body butter recipes. See our guide on How to Create Natural Mango Body Butter for inspiration.
Mango butter has a firmer texture than Shea butter, but is softer than Cocoa butter. It begins to melt upon contact with the skin and has a shelf life of 4 to 6 months. However, it can be kept for up to 1 year if it is frozen.
The medium texture (not too soft, not too hard) makes it a go-to choice for many crafters. Mango butter contributes a small amount of firmness to soap, but not nearly as much as cocoa butter.
Due to the slightly firm texture of Mango butter, we recommend adding it to products in melted form. Mango butter can also be used for pregnancy stretch marks — see our post on Does Shea Butter Actually Work for Stretch Marks? for tips on using natural butters during and after pregnancy.
Differences between Shea Butter and Mango Butter
Texture and consistency
Shea butter tends to have a thicker and creamier consistency compared to mango butter, which is lighter and softer.
Shea butter is more nutritious than Mango Butter, however Mango butter has a milder scent and therefore makes it easier to use for homemade body butters. Mango butter is easier to work with, as it whips up easier than Shea butter as its not as hard.
Composition
Shea butter is high in fatty acids such as oleic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid, as well as vitamins A, E, and F. Mango butter is also high in fatty acids like oleic acid and stearic acid, but it also contains a high amount of palmitic acid. If you want to know more about how unrefined shea compares to refined, check out Unrefined vs Refined Shea Butter.
Benefits
Both Shea and mango butter are effective at moisturizing and conditioning the skin and hair. However, Shea butter is more commonly used to treat dry and irritated skin, while mango butter is often used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you're also interested in how shea compares to cocoa butter, read Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter.
Origin
Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) which is native to West Africa. Mango butter, on the other hand, is extracted from the seeds of the mango fruit (Mangifera indica) which is native to India and other tropical regions.
Sunscreen
Shea butter protects the skin against sun damage, however Mango butter provides little to no sun protection.
Shelf life
Shea butter has a longer shelf life than Mango butter. Shea butter has a shelf life of up to a year while Mango butter has a shelf life of 4 to 6 months.
Which is better — Shea butter or Mango Butter
Truth is both Shea butter and Mango butter are great and beneficial for hair and skincare. Neither Shea butter nor Mango butter clog pores and both can help with skin conditions such as dry skin, acne, wrinkles, stretch marks and eczema.
Both butters have very similar properties and can be used all over the body including face, lips and hair. They are both nourishing, moisturizing and hydrating. Not sure which to try first? Browse our Whipped Shea Butter range to get started.
Whipped Mango Body Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
- 300g of Mango Butter
- 100g coconut oil
- 50g of Almond Oil
- 15 drops of essential oil of your choice
How to Make:
- Cut the Mango Butter into small pieces and put into a bowl.
- Using an electric mixer whip the Mango butter, starting on a low speed and then gradually increase the speed to high.
- Once the Mango butter is a smooth consistency add the coconut oil, almond oil and essential oil.
- Using the electric mixer whip all 4 ingredients on low speed for a couple minutes until they are all blended well.
- Increase speed of the mixer to high for a couple of minutes or until the body butter reaches the desired consistency.
- Once you are happy with the mixture, pipe into your jar and store in a cool dry place.
- Use once or twice a day.
