Ingredient

Mango Butter

Mangifera indica

Mangoes are used to produce a vitamin-rich butter that softens and restores the skin. It provides the same moisturising and lubricating properties of cocoa butter, but melts a lot faster on the skin.

Mangifera indica is an evergreen tree belonging to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). The shape of its fruit ranges from heart-like oval to long and slender depending on the variety. Colours can also vary, from bright yellow and red hues to shades of green. Each variety has a flattened seed in the middle surrounded by a juicy yellow pulp with a distinctive sweet-spicy flavour.  Whereas mangos seem exotic in countries like the UK, they are actually more widely cultivated and consumed across the world than apples!

The name mango comes from the Malayalam word ‘manna’ which means ‘divine food’. The fruit is of great importance in folklore and religious traditions in India. It often relates to beautiful women, appealing fragrances, abundance, and luxurious meals. It is said that Buddha himself used to meditate and rest in the peaceful shade of mango groves.

Lush buy its mango butter from Europe, where it is cold-pressed from the seeds of the fruit.