Natural butters, because of their unique properties, can work wonders on our natural hair and skin! Here are a few of our favorite butters for natural hair! 🎉

💦 Natural Butters Help Seal in Moisture 💦
Natural butters from trees, nuts and seeds are high in fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid, which can help control water loss in your strands while making your hair softer and more pliable. Water loss is a common problem with natural hair, leading to breakage and knots, so the more moisture we can retain, the healthier our hair will be!

Natural butters nourish hair follicles, which can lead to hair growth and retention overtime, and their abundance of vitamin A can help prevent hair loss.

Shea Butter, which is high in vitamins A, E and F, is one of the most basic butters for natural hair. Extracted from the seed of the Shea fruit tree, it is a superior moisturizer and can aid in soothing scalp irritations because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties.  

When purchasing shea butter it is important to make sure that it is raw or unrefined shea butter; meaning it only contains ingredients derived naturally from the shea nut. Otherwise, the shea butter may not contain the moisturizing benefits you seek. Refined shea butter has been chemically altered, which reduces moisturizing benefits and may also contain harmful ingredients for natural hair, including lead, mercury, mold and yeast. A good tip to use: raw or unrefined shea butter should be a soft, uniformly beige-colored, creamy solid that melts in the hands. 

VIDEO: If you love shea butter try this recipe for your own DIY smooth everyday crème

Mango Butter is full of vitamins that help balance sebum production, which can help with excessively oily or excessively dry scalps. Mango butter also contains Vitamin C, which has been proven to aid in collagen production. Collagen is an amino acid that aids the hair in keratin production, helping to maintain natural hair’s strength and elasticity. 

Cupuacu Butter, derived from the cupuacu fruit tree found in the northern Amazon, is said to be four times more effective than shea butter at sealing in moisture! If frizzy hair has you frazzled, this hydrating butter is ideal for you as it provides a blend of moisture that helps seal natural hair.  It is also great for naturals who find shea butter too heavy for their tresses!

VIDEO: Check out this DIY Mango Cupuacu Butter Hair Cream Video

Let’s be honest, not all butters are equal. Depending on your hair needs and sensitivities, some butters will be better than others. 

Cocoa Butter, the ‘OG’ of butters, has a long history with natural hair. Extracted from the cocoa or cacao bean, cocoa butter has large amounts of vitamin E, C and collagen but also has a comedogenic rating of 4 (fairly high). Despite its delicious smell – think chocolate – cocoa butter may not be right for you if you are prone to acne.  

Instead try Kokum Butter! Derived from the kokum tree, also known as the wild mangosteen tree, kokum butter has a dry, flaky appearance, which definitely belies its moisturizing properties. It is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy feeling. This butter is harder than most natural butters, but add a little almond oil and you’ve got a smooth powerful moisturizer for your hair!

Natural Butters Protect the Hair from Environmental Pollutants and the Sun!
If sunscreen is a must for your skin, what about your hair? Natural butters provide some degree of protection for your hair from UV rays and environmental pollutants. Sunscreen protection for your hair can help eliminate dull and dehydrated hair and the short-term effects of sun damage, including lack of moisture and faded color (for those that color). Shea Butter is rich in vitamins A, C, D, E and F and has an SPF of 6. Not incredibly high, but if you consider that an SPF of 10 offers 90 percent protection, then shea butter’s SPF of 6 is pretty decent! 

Lesser-Known Natural Butters
Illipe Butter is great for repairing overly processed hair. This South Pacific wonder restores elasticity thanks to its high fatty acid and vitamin E content! It’ss also perfect for restoring shine and calming flyaway hairs.

Tucuma Butter and MuruMuru Butters
We combined these two butters because they are so similar in properties and benefits. Both butters help maintain hydration, suppleness and elasticity, and you can combine the two butters – in equal parts, for the perfect DIY sealant! Butters have long been a staple in natural hair care. Their unique blend of fatty acids, vitamins and minerals go a long way in relieving hair dryness, retaining moisture and improving hair strength and elasticity! 

Looking for a QUICK and affordable way to include butters into your hair care regimen? Check out The Melanin Haircare Twist-Elongating Style Cream, packed with FIVE of the most NOURISHING, all-natural hair butters on the market!