For most face and body DIY products, the popular choice for butters are Unrefined Shea Butter, Mango Butter, and Cocoa Butter. The list may go on but these are the most readily available and affordable butters to use when making your very own DIY product. Yes, you might be wondering if there is any difference among these butters. The most distinctive qualities to tell them apart other than appearance are the smell and texture.
Every butter has its unique set of properties, making them suitable for varying skin care products.
Shea Butter Properties:
Extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree, Shea Butter has a dense texture, nutty smell, and it comes in raw, natural or bleached form. They melt upon contact on skin, absorb well, and can soothe and reduce skin inflammation. Shea Butter typically lasts up to a year or two in storage.
- Blends well with oils and other butters.
- Usually used in cream, lotion, lip balm, body butter, soap… etc.
- Melting point 104°F to 113°F.
- Has a nutty scent.
- Very moisturizing upon contact on skin, can be greasy at times.
- Treats various very dry skin problems.
Cocoa Butter Properties:
Cocoa Butter smells heavenly like chocolate as the name suggests. They are derived from whole cocoa beans and are very rich in saturated fats. Cocoa Butter is slightly harder than shea butter, and has a non greasy feel texture. It is moisturizing and has antioxidant properties which combat signs of aging. Cocoa Butter can come in natural or deodorized form, and they have an approximate shelf life of 2 years.
- Blends well with oils and other butters.
- Usually used in cream, lotion, lip balm, body butter, soap… etc.
- Low melting point at 94°F.
- A delicious chocolatey scent.
- Moisturizing on skin yet not greasy.
- Commonly use to reduce stretch marks.
Mango Butter Properties:
Mango Butter is extracted from the seeds of the mango fruit. It is an excellent moisturizer that is rich in monounsaturated fats & omega-6 fatty acids. Mango Butter is moisturizing, helps to ease dry skin and slow down degeneration of skin cells. It is softer than Shea and Cocoa Butter in texture, but appears semi solid and has a creamy texture. Mango Butter can last up to 2 years in dark and cool storage area.
- Blends well with oils and other butters.
- Usually used in cream, lotion, lip balm, body butter, soap… etc.
- Low melting point at 86° F.
- Almost odourless.
- Moisturizing on skin yet not greasy.
- Commonly use in hair conditioner and hair mask.
Supposing that going natural is your top choice, and you have extremely dry and problematic skin then the
Unrefined Shea Butter is your most ideal choice. Since it is unrefined (and 100% natural) as its name suggests, it is not stripped of its natural properties which can be very beneficial for you. Just note that it has a nutty scent and some might find it off-putting, but we loved it anyway!
If you insist on working only with shea butter and would prefer something without the nutty scent, your alternative would be the Refined Shea Butter. It is easy to work with, and you can add in your very own fragrances.
For chocolate lovers, we have the Cocoa Butter which is popular for its delicious aroma. It is easy to work with, moisturizing but not greasy, and is very ideal for making lip and body balms especially because of its anti-stretch marks properties.
If you are looking at creating various D.I.Ys such as hair conditioner, mask, blam or deodorant sticks, the Mango Butter is an excellent choice too. As compared to Shea and Cocoa Butter, it is almostly odourless and the texture is much softer yet it remains semi-solid. For those in need of a quick natural hair treatment, opt for the Mango Butter to create your very own natural hair mask!