What are the benefits of mango butter for the hair?

Originating from Asia, the mango tree is a tropical plant belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. It is primarily cultivated for its sweet and refreshing fruits. Beyond its nutritional values, the mango contains a seed that holds a highly coveted ingredient in cosmetics: the mango butter.

This substance presents itself in a semi-solid form at room temperature and becomes melting when it comes into contact with the skin or when the external temperature exceeds 86°F. That's why it is also referred to as mango oil. This botanical extract has excellent stability to oxidation and emits a pleasant, soft, and vegetal scent, very characteristic. Mango butter also has several beneficial properties for hair that we propose to discover.

The unsaturated fatty acids in mango butter, such as oleic acid and squalene, help to strengthen the hair fiber. Indeed, these compounds are naturally present in the hydrolipidic film that coats the hair. This acts as a shield and helps protect the hair from external aggressions. In addition, mango butter is rich in saturated fatty acids, like stearic acid and palmitic acid. These compounds have a structure similar to the lipids that make up the cuticle of the hair. They are thus able to insert themselves where they play the role of intercellular cement. By contributing to the restoration and cohesion of the cuticle, saturated fatty acids also promote its impermeability and the protection of the inner layers of the hair fiber, such as the cortex. This is rich in keratin fibers, giving the hair its flexibility and elasticity. Mango butter is thus an interesting ingredient for dry or dull hair.

Rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants, mango butter combats the effects of free radicals. Applying mango butter to the hair can thus protect it from certain aggressions such as exposure to UV radiation or pollution. Moreover, it slows down the appearance of split ends and gray hair, which a study has shown to be correlated with the presence of free radicals. Indeed, although the mechanism by which these operate at the level of hair fibers remains poorly understood, it seems that free radicals can trigger a chain of reactions leading to the degradation of melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color.

As previously discussed, the saturated fatty acids in mango butter can penetrate the cuticle and contribute to its cohesion. When the structure of the hair fiber is strong and the scales forming its cuticle are properly linked, the hair appears more shiny because it is able to reflect light.

In order to take advantage of the hair benefits of mango butter, we suggest you try our repairing hair mask. This treatment, enriched with ceramides , deeply repairs and nourishes the hair fiber, softening the hair and preventing the appearance of split ends. The mango butter in this mask helps to fill in hair cuticles, providing shine and flexibility.

This mask should be used 1 to 2 times per week. Its creamy texture instantly coats the hair fiber and softens the hair without weighing it down. It should be applied to washed and towel-dried hair from mid-lengths to ends. Allow it to work for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

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• NOMURA M. & al. Evaluation of the fatty acid composition of the seeds of Mangifera indica L. and their application. Journal of Oleo Science (2015).

• KHALIQUE A. & al. Promising features of mango (Mangifera indica L.) kernel oil: a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology (2016).