Mango Butter vs Shea Butter: Which One's Best For Your Skin?
Both mango butter and shea butter can moisturize, soften, and smooth the skin, but there are a few differences between the two. When it comes to mango butter vs shea butter and which one wins for your skin, it’s important to look at each ingredient’s specific features and benefits. Ahead, we explore how each of these ingredients work, their benefits, and which one’s best for you.
You’ll also learn the differences between shea butter vs mango butter and the best skincare products that contain these moisturizing ingredients.
Benefits of Mango Butter vs Shea Butter for Skin
Mango butter, also known as mango seed butter, is a type of fat derived from the seeds or kernels of the mango fruit. It’s rich in natural fatty acids and antioxidants that help to moisturize the skin, fight free radicals, and assist in collagen production.
Shea butter is a plant lipid derived from African shea tree nuts. Packed with fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and D, shea butter is good for hydrating the skin and healing irritation.
So which is better: shea butter or mango butter? Here are the benefits of shea butter and mango butter.
Hydrating
Both mango butter and shea butter are super hydrators. These emollients form a naturally occlusive, protective barrier on the skin to prevent water loss and protect skin from extreme temperatures. With their butter-like texture, you can almost feel their moisture-drenching abilities the moment you slather them on.
Shea butter and mango butter are both excellent moisturizers, which is why you’ll commonly find them in body butters, lotions, and lip balms.
Anti-Aging
Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, both mango butter and shea butter possess some potent anti-aging properties. A high percentage of vitamin E can help fight environmental stressors like UV rays to prevent sun damage and premature signs of aging. While vitamin A can help minimize sun-related damage by speeding up cellular turnover to smooth out fine lines and fade dark spots.
What’s more, shea butter and mango butter both increase collagen production to plump out fine lines and firm sagging skin. Again, this is largely down to the high content of vitamin C which may help increase the production of collagen—the structural protein in skin responsible for keeping skin looking young.
Protects Skin
Mango butter and shea butter are chock full of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that can help protect skin against external aggressors like UV rays and pollution, while repairing dry, irritated skin. They actually form a protective layer on the skin to protect against free radical damage, cold weather, and wind that can lead to dry skin and skin aging.
Healing and Repairing
In addition to being incredibly nourishing, shea butter and mango butter contain anti-inflammatory properties that can ease skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, they work to heal wounds, acne, and sunburned skin by quelling inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier.
Those with dry skin or sensitive skin will find great relief in these natural butters as they’re both super gentle on the skin and great for easing redness and irritation.
What’s the Difference Between Mango Butter and Shea Butter?
There are a few differences between mango butter vs shea butter. Here are the key differences to keep in mind when choosing between the two.
Mango Butter Absorbs Faster
Mango butter contains less fat than shea butter and has a lower melting point, meaning it absorbs faster into the skin than shea butter. While both have a slightly greasy texture because of their high fat content, mango butter melts more quickly into the skin.
Shea Butter Has a Lower Comedogenic Rating
Both shea butter and mango butter are considered non-comedogenic—meaning they won’t clog pores. However, shea butter has a lower comedogenic rating than mango butter. Shea butter typically ranges between 0-2 on the comedogenic scale whereas mango butter has a comedogenic rating of two.
It’s highly unlikely that you’d experience breakouts from using either of these butters. However, if you have acne-prone skin, mango butter is more likely to trigger blemishes than shea butter.
Mango Butter is Better for Dry Skin
While mango butter has less fat content than shea butter, it contains more fatty acids which makes it even more hydrating than shea butter. Both are excellent moisturizers and great for dry skin. But mango butter wins when it comes to which is more hydrating shea butter or mango butter?
Shea Butter is Better for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Since shea butter has the lower comedogenic rating and helps to balance sebum production, it is generally the best of the two for oily or blemish-prone skin. This is because it’s less likely to clog pores than mango butter. Plus, its ability to balance sebum production prevents the pores from getting clogged, leading to breakouts.
Can You Mix Mango Butter and Shea Butter?
Yes, you can combine mango butter and shea butter to enjoy the benefits of both. In fact, using mango butter and shea butter together can actually maximize their effects. Since both have many of the same benefits, using shea butter and mango butter together optimizes their hydrating and anti-aging effects.
Some body lotions and butters will contain both of these natural butters since they’re both effective at treating dry skin and soothing redness. They also both have a long shelf life of around two years, so they work in harmony together.
Shop Mango Butter and Shea Butter Skincare
Here are some of our favorite skincare products with mango and shea butter.
Truly’s Unicorn Routine
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Get a head-to-toe cotton candy scented glow with this iconic body butter, a lip plumping balm, and brightening deodorant—all loaded with shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil, and acai berry.
Truly’s Deluxe Body Routine
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Lift your butt and boobs with this 4-step Deluxe Body Bundle enriched with hydrating, tightening ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, retinol, and wheat protein.
Truly’s Dreamiest Shave Set
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The secret to a smoother shave? Hydration! And you’ll find plenty of it in this dreamy bundle featuring a whipped shave butter, after shave serum, moisturizer, and ingrown fighting deodorant. Enriched with a moisture-drenching trio of shea, mango, and cocoa butter.
Truly’s TikTok Routine
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Try the products that amassed over 40 MILLION likes on TikTok. This set features six cult-faves designed to smooth, firm, and zap away zits with powerhouse ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, retinol, and hydrocolloid.
Truly’s Hydration Station Body Routine
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Drench your entire body in sheeny hydration with this bestselling trio. Besides hydrating shea and mango butter, these whipped and buttery formulas contain coconut and jojoba oil to intensify the hydration while protecting skin against free radical damage.
How to Use Mango and Shea Butter Together
You can use mango and shea butter the same way you would use any other moisturizer. Because they are soft-medium solid at room temperature, you will need to rub the butter between your hands to make it easier to apply.
Before using shea and mango butter, always thoroughly cleanse your skin with a gentle exfoliant to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. This way, no impurities will get trapped beneath the barrier of the butter. Plus, products absorb better without the layer of dead cells blocking the way.
While you can use mango and shea butter in their natural forms, it’s better to look for them in pre-made skincare or body care products. These products are made to be stable and tolerated by all skin types, so it’s always a good idea to look for these butters on the labels of creams, lotions, and body butters.
Since both butters are incredibly rich and hydrating, you only need to use a small amount. They should be applied towards the end of your skin or body care routine to seal in hydration for long-lasting softness and smoothness.
FAQs
Got questions about mango butter vs shea butter? We’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding these two butters.
What is Better Mango Butter or Shea Butter?
Mango butter and shea butter are both powerhouse skin hydrators that can help protect against UV rays, prevent signs of aging, and speed up wound and scar healing. Is mango butter better than shea butter? Both have their differences and when it comes to choosing the right one for you, it’s best to look at these differences and make your decision based on your skin type and needs.
That being said, both butters are suitable for all skin types. But since mango butter has a higher comedogenic rating, those with acne-prone skin may want to opt for shea butter instead. It should not cause breakouts as it is still considered non-comedogenic but it’s important to make sure you’re apply it to clean skin to avoid trapping dirt and oil that can clog pores and trigger breakouts.
Is Mango Butter More Hydrating Than Shea Butter?
Some say mango butter is more hydrating because of it contains more fatty acids. However, both are great moisturizers that can help to ease dry, itchy skin. We recommend incorporating them both into your skincare routine to keep your skin happy and hydrated.
Is Mango or Shea Butter Better for Eczema?
Both mango butter and shea butter can help with skin conditions such as dry skin, stretch marks, and eczema. Packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, they can help manage the symptoms of dry skin conditions by hydrating skin and locking in moisture to create a protective barrier and prevent water loss.
Research even shows that shea butter could work just as effectively as medicated creams in treating eczema.
Conclusion: Mango Butter vs Shea Butter
Both shea and mango butter are powerhouse ingredients that can work wonders for dry, sensitive skin especially. While each has their own differences, they essentially both offer a number of benefits for your skin. For that reason, we recommend incorporating them both into your daily skin and body care regimen.
