For many years, hair and body butter has served as a vital solution for moisturizing both hair and skin, cherished for its emollient properties. While cocoa butter and shea butter have long been favorites among consumers, a new contender in the market, known as murumuru butter, is rapidly gaining attention and may soon surpass them in popularity.

Murumuru butter is derived from the creamy, white-yellow fat extracted from the seeds of Astrocaryum murumuru, a palm species native to the lush Amazon rainforest. This natural butter is widely recognized not just for its ability to deeply hydrate and soften the skin and hair, but it is also being investigated, alongside other Amazonian fats and oils, as a potential alternative to coconut oil and cocoa butter in culinary applications.

Below, we explore six remarkable benefits of murumuru butter for your skin and hair.

1. Natural Skin Moisturizer

Murumuru butter (Murumuru makkhan) is renowned as an excellent emollient, celebrated for its remarkable moisturizing properties. Healthy skin boasts a lipid-rich barrier that effectively retains moisture, while dry skin typically suffers from reduced fat levels. Consequently, creams and lotions abundant in fats can significantly enhance your skin’s hydration by locking in water. This unique butter exhibits a fatty acid profile akin to cocoa butter, being particularly rich in medium- and long-chain fatty acids like lauric acid and myristic acid, which are known to aid in restoring your skin’s moisture barrier.

For optimal results, it is advisable to apply murumuru butter right after your shower when your skin is most receptive to absorbing water. Additionally, you can discover murumuru butter lip balms that provide essential hydration for your lips. Thanks to its elevated fat content, murumuru butter effectively hydrates your skin by sealing in moisture, making it a perfect choice for maintaining skin health.

2. Reduces Frizzy Hair

Murumuru butter, renowned for its exceptional moisturizing properties, has gained significant popularity as an effective treatment for hair care. Frizzy hair often arises from inadequate moisture, which affects the outer layer of the hair known as the cuticle. When the hair lacks hydration, the cuticle becomes rough and swells, leading to an unsightly frizzy appearance. Rich in lauric acid, a fatty acid recognized for its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, murumuru butter enhances moisture retention and seals the cuticle. This results in softer, more hydrated hair.

Additionally, this butter provides a natural defense against sun exposure, heat stress, and other damaging elements. For best results, simply apply murumuru butter to your hair while in the shower for 2–3 minutes, or use it as a nourishing overnight leave-in hair mask. With its high fat content, including lauric acid, murumuru butter effectively penetrates the hair shaft, ensuring lasting hydration and minimized frizz.

3. Won’t Clog Your Pores

If you find that coconut oil is too rich for your skin, murumuru butter (murumuru makkhan) could serve as an excellent alternative. This butter stands out among various moisturizing oils such as cocoa butter and coconut oil, as it is notably less comedogenic. In simpler terms, this means it’s significantly less inclined to block your pores, which can lead to acne breakouts or the formation of comedones.

Additionally, murumuru butter has the potential to soothe irritated skin while restoring its natural moisture barrier without triggering breakouts, which is particularly beneficial for those with acne-prone skin. However, individuals with oily skin should exercise caution, as murumuru butter might be too heavy, especially on the face. The facial skin typically contains a higher concentration of oil-producing sebaceous glands, making it more susceptible to breakouts compared to areas like the hands, elbows, or feet. Consequently, oil-based products such as murumuru butter may be more suitable for use on tougher and drier skin areas. If you're uncertain about your skin type, it’s advisable to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare professional for tailored advice.

In summary, murumuru butter is less likely to clog your pores than alternatives like cocoa butter, thus helping to avert breakouts. However, for those with acne-prone skin, it may still prove too heavy for facial application.

4. Potential to Diminish Wrinkles

Incorporating murumuru butter into your skincare regimen may contribute to a more youthful complexion, thanks to its ability to hydrate the skin with beneficial fats and essential nutrients. Maintaining adequate skin hydration is crucial, as it supports a healthy skin barrier and can potentially slow down the emergence of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, by keeping your skin plump and supple, it may effectively minimize the visibility of these aging signs.

This natural butter is abundant in vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin and potent antioxidant essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and vision. Vitamin A is renowned for its anti-aging properties, which include promoting cell turnover and shielding the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Nevertheless, it is important to note that there is currently no clinical evidence specifically addressing the anti-aging benefits of murumuru butter, indicating that further studies are warranted. By ensuring your skin is well-hydrated and nourished, murumuru butter may assist in reducing visible signs of aging, including wrinkles and fine lines.

4. Enhances Luster for Radiant Hair

A lustrous shine is often an indicator of healthy hair. To achieve this vibrant shine, it is crucial to maintain optimal hydration levels while minimizing damage and breakage. When hair is damaged, it refracts light poorly, leading to a lackluster appearance. Thanks to its exceptional moisturizing properties, using murumuru butter (murumuru) or similar fat-rich conditioners can effectively trap moisture within the hair shaft, highlighting its innate brilliance. To combat dull hair, incorporate a nourishing, fat-rich conditioner such as murumuru butter that ensures your hair remains hydrated while preserving its natural glow.

5. Potential Benefits for Eczema

Eczema, a skin ailment marked by dry and inflamed skin, often leads to individuals experiencing decreased levels of essential fatty acids and ceramides in their epidermis. This condition can be quite bothersome, prompting the search for effective remedies. Incorporating murumuru butter (muru-muru) into your skincare routine might alleviate symptoms of eczema by not only hydrating the skin but also by restoring its natural moisture barrier. This rich butter is known for its emollient properties, which can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from such skin issues.

While clinical studies specifically examining the effects of murumuru butter on eczema are lacking, research has already demonstrated that coconut oil can significantly improve the symptoms associated with eczema by providing deep moisture to the skin. Given that murumuru butter shares a comparable molecular structure with coconut oil, it stands to reason that it may offer similar advantageous properties. Conditions like eczema often correlate with diminished fat content in the skin. Therefore, applying a cream rich in fats, such as murumuru butter, could effectively help in replenishing the skin's moisture barrier, thereby reducing feelings of dryness and irritation.

6. Beneficial for Sensitive Skin

Statistics show that approximately 50-60% of men and 60-70% of women experience varying degrees of sensitive skin, leading many individuals to seek effective solutions for relief. Individuals with sensitive skin often have diminished levels of lipids within their skin membranes. This deficiency can lead to sensations of tightness, discomfort, and heightened absorption of irritants such as fragrances and alcohols, which are commonly present in numerous skin care products.

Employing a gentle, lipid-rich cream formulated with minimal ingredients, such as murumuru butter (murumuru makhhan), can assist in restoring the skin barrier without triggering additional irritation. It is crucial to scrutinize the ingredient list to confirm that the product is free from any components that are known to provoke sensitivity. Many individuals who identify as having sensitive skin experience symptoms that escalate when exposed to certain common ingredients found in skin care. Therefore, incorporating murumuru butter as an alternative may prove advantageous.

Where to Purchase Murumuru Butter

Murumuru butter is readily available both online and in physical stores, often found in products such as hair conditioners, lip balms, and skin lotions. While you have the option to buy the pure butter, many formulations include a blend of other ingredients like shea butter (shea makhana), rose water, various alcohols, and added fragrances. For those with sensitive skin, it is crucial to examine the label meticulously and opt for the pure variant to avoid any adverse reactions.

This versatile butter can be sourced from various retailers, either in a standalone form or as part of an array of beauty products including conditioners, lip treatments, and creams. Whether you seek it pure or as part of a mixed formula, murumuru butter promises to enhance your skincare routine.

The Bottom Line

Murumuru butter, derived from the Amazonian plant known as Astrocaryum murumuru, is gradually emerging from the shadows of more recognized palm butters. Its unique properties are capturing the attention of those interested in enhancing their skin and hair health. This versatile butter is believed to improve hydration for both skin and hair while also helping to minimize frizziness, making it a suitable option for individuals with sensitive skin. However, it is important to note that further research is essential to substantiate these encouraging claims. If you're eager to experience the benefits of murumuru butter, it is readily available for purchase both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.