Yellow and green cocoa pods hang from a tree in a rainforest

Ingredient Spotlight: Natural Luxurious Mango and Cocoa Seed Butters

Cocoa butter and mango butter evoke a smooth, creamy goodness we all want to put on our skin regardless of the season. Hope Smith, the Founder and CEO of MUTHA™, is an esthetician who knows just what we most want and need to soothe dry skin and treat stretch marks. After all, she formulated her own all natural MUTHA™ Body Butter using the best ingredients she could find.
We are going to delve a little deeper into what makes mango and cocoa seed butters so amazing, just like we did with Shea butter and coconut oil.

The Magic of Theobroma Cacao: Cocoa Seed Butter

First, cocoa butter is not made from coconuts. We repeat: not coconut. It’s a mistake some people make, which is the reason why we are writing these ingredients posts. It’s fun to find out what the ingredients in your products really are. And with MUTHA™ products, what’s on the label is pretty much straight from the source.
Cocoa butter is made from cocoa beans which come from the pods of a small evergreen tree native of the South American rainforests. The trees’ cocoa pods contain beans which are used in making a product we all love: chocolate. That’s right. Same great stuff. But don’t make the mistake of eating a cocoa butter product meant for your face or body, there are some differences in production.
How is Cocoa Butter Made:
The process of making seeds into butter begins with drying or roasting the cocoa pods, then removing the outer hull to get to the cocoa seeds (nibs). The cocoa (nibs) are ground into a paste and pressed to release the theobroma oil (plant fat), which is the smooth, rich cocoa butter.

The Magnificence of Mangifera Indica: Mango Seed Butter

Mango butter comes from mango fruit seeds. Yes, that annoying seed, from which we wrestle the delicious slippery sweet mango fruit, actually has a use. But, to continue, mangos are grown all over the world in places with warm climates like Mexico and countries in South Asia.

How is Mango Butter Made:
Making a butter from mango seed begins with first drying and removing the outer shell. Then the seeds are pressed to release the plant oils which form a light colored nutrient rich butter.

Why Cocoa and Mango Butter are Great for Your Skin

There’s a reason plant oils top the list of ingredients in many MUTHA products. It’s because they are made of antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins that help reinforce the skin’s natural protective barriers. They can help hydrate, improve skin elasticity, and heal sun damage. Amazing, right? Makes us wonder why brands ever began selling petroleum-based moisturizers.
  • Cocoa butter specifically is understood to contain natural antioxidants, which are “substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals.” Free radicals can be caused by internal inflammation (such as with autoimmune disorders) or external factors like sun or chemicals, according to some doctors. Cocoa butter is also a natural source of vitamin E, which is known to help repair scars.
  • Mango seed butter, like shea and cocoa butter, is solid at room temperature, but melts onto skin and is easily absorbed without a residue. Mango butter contains vitamin C, long a skincare favorite. Vitamin C can “slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne,” according to Harvard Medical School’s Health blog. It also contains vitamin A, which is a “retinoid” that can help collagen production and prevent aging, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Why Bother With Skin Care?

Taking care of your skin is a form of self care and that’s never selfish. It’s fundamental. Dry cracked skin can lead to infections or make your life difficult due to constant irritation. So, why not prevent larger problems by taking small steps to care for your body, so that your body is ready and available when you make demands of it. Whether those demands include carrying a child or playing your favorite sport, getting your skin in top condition can help you be at your best. And that’s what Hope wants for every body. Here are some Selfish Acts that are #neverselfish, to get you started.