Mango butter is great for your hair since it’s rich in different fatty acids like oleic and stearic which keep hair moist by penetrating your hair follicles and coating your hair strands to seal moisture in, prevent frizz, and give you shiny hair.
There are a few different fatty acids in mango butter, but the two mentioned above are the most effective in keeping your hair healthy. The low molecular weight of oleic acid lets it penetrate your hair cortex and moisturize from the inside while stearic acid’s heavier weight coats the hair shaft without penetrating, sealing down the cuticles to keep moisture in and make your hair shine.
Fun fact: The fatty acids make mango butter a great alternative to coconut oil for people with nut allergies. And if you have a mango allergy, talk to your doctor before trying mango butter, but you might still be able to use it since most mango allergies are from something called urushiol, which is found in mango skin and fruit, but not the seed.
Mango butter comes from processing mango seeds (not the pulp of the fruit), and in addition to the moisturizing fatty acids, mango butter is one of the richest sources of vitamin B12 according to the NIH, which is a key vitamin to fight off skin conditions like eczema (source) and psoriasis (source). Plus, mango butter also has these other hair healthy nutrients.
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Gallic acid
- Ferulic acid
- Ellagic acid
Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients for healthy hair and mango butter is the perfect way to get your dose of C because getting the vitamin through your skin gives you higher concentrations than by eating it.
Vitamin E, like vitamin C, is an awesome antioxidant that helps protect your scalp and skin from damage caused by dirt and crud in the air, and free radicals floating around your body.
And the gallic, ferulic, and ellagic acids in mango butter add even more protection to keep your hair strong, and to fight excess hair shedding caused by abnormalities in your hair growth cycle or inflammation in the hair follicles themselves.
There are tons of great products out there with mango butter, but you can also make a great mango butter mask at home. Just try not to eat it before putting it on your hair.
How to Make a Mango Butter Hair Mask
Ingredients:
- Mango Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Mango fruit from 1 mango (the fruit has double the vitamin C as the seed)
- 1 whole egg (eggs are healthy for your hair and are rich in protein and biotin which also good for your hair)
- Juice of 1 Lime (citric acid helps remove buildup)
- Yogurt: 3 tablespoons (probiotics are good for hair health and shine)
- A few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasing scent (if you use mango butter that has been refined to remove the scent)
The Steps to Make a Mango Butter Mask
- Puree the mango fruit
- Melt down the mango butter in the microwave (but don't get it too hot or you could burn yourself)
- Whisk the egg until it's frothy
- Whisk in the melted mango butter, pureed fruit, yogurt, lime juice, and essential oil if you use it
- Spread a few drops of the mask on a patch of skin to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to any ingredient
- Work the mask evenly throughout damp hair, covering your hair and make sure to massage it thoroughly onto the scalp
- Feel free to leave your hair loose on your shoulders since the Vitamin C absorbs well through the skin.
- Or use a hair tie and wrap your hair into a bun to keep the mask from getting all over.
- Leave the mask on for about 30 minutes
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water (which is better than hot for washing your hair)
Mango butter is one of the best things you can use in your hair, and now you know how to make a homemade mango butter hair mask at home when you're having some "me time". If you liked this guide, share it with friends and subscribe to our newsletter below.
