Meet Murumuru Butter: The Ultimate Moisturizing Ingredient for Your Skin and Hair
Murumuru butter is the powerfully hydrating ingredient here to bring your drier-than-ever skin and hair back from the back from the brink. Chances are you're likely unfamiliar with this nourishing skincare and hair care product, which is A-okay, because we're here to tell you all about it with help from the experts.
So what is murumuru butter and where does it come from? Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, president and founder of Modern Dermatology, shares that the butter is "known for its emollient and moisturizing properties" and "is derived from the fat in the seeds of a palm tree indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest called the Astrocaryum murumuru.” Think of it almost like shea butter and cocoa butter—murumuru is fairly similar to the more well-known butters, yet has its differences. What makes this ingredient so beneficial for hair and skin are the "longer chains of fatty acids like lauric acid," notes board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu. If you're wondering how exactly it can benefit your skin and hair, all you have to do is keep scrolling. Discover the benefits of murumuru butter below!
Meet the Expert
Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, is the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology. She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Jenny Liu, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
The Biggest Benefits of Murumuru Butter for Your Skin
1. It's incredibly moisturizing.
What murumuru butter does best is moisturize. Dr. Robinson notes how "it is rich in fatty acids, which support the skin barrier and seal moisture in." Dr. Liu makes it a point to mention the reason it will protect your skin barrier is because it can "decrease transepidermal water loss of skin, thereby improving skin hydration and barrier function." If you really want to get the most out of the butter, she suggests applying it over your moisturizer "as an occlusive to enhance the efficacy of your moisturizer."
2. It has anti-aging properties.
The butter is jam-packed with vitamin A, which is an incredibly beneficial ingredient for your hair, skin, and nails. Vitamin A also offers "anti-aging effects on the skin by increasing the rate at which our skin cells turnover," Dr. Robinson shares. The faster your skin cells turnover, the more youthful your complexion will appear. Our skin's elasticity gradually reduces as we age, so the butter will be your saving grace when it comes to hiding your age.
3. It can minimize fine lines.
Along the lines of the benefit above, murumuru butter does a fantastic job at minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. "By hydrating and plumping up the skin, fine lines will be less noticeable," mentions Dr. Robinson. It really is the ultimate anti-aging skincare product.
4. It may help control eczema.
Because the butter is so hydrating and moisturizing, Dr. Robinson notes it's a great way to potentially manage your eczema. However, she does offer a warning. "I caution you to try it on a test area before using it widely to see how your body responds. And read the product label carefully to avoid any accompanying ingredients that may make your eczema worse, such as fragrance or alcohol."
5. It can smooth dry or cracked hands and feet.
Dr. Liu mentions the butter is a "good emollient to smooth and soften the skin," as "most oils and fatty acids" usually are. This means the butter works wonders to soften dry, cracked hands and feet. Just ask Dr. Robinson, who notes that "a thick, fat-filled butter like this is ideal for cracked heels." She shares that all you need to do is "slather it on underneath socks while you sleep and treat dry hands the same way." Your skin will be softer than ever in no time at all.
All the Hair Care Benefits of Murumuru Butter
1. It can decrease frizz and split ends.
Struggling to manage your frizzy hair? The butter might very well be what your hair care routine was missing. "Applying the butter to your hair can decrease frizz and split ends," says Dr. Robinson. "The butter contains lauric acid which can penetrate the hair’s shaft, delivering moisture and sealing the cuticle for smoother strands." Dryness and frizziness will be minimized greatly after using this butter.
2. It will hydrate a dry scalp.
Those with an oily scalp won't want to apply the butter to the top of their head, as it will likely make their scalp extra greasy. But those who tend to have a dry scalp will greatly benefit from using this butter on their crown. Dr. Robinson suggests "applying the butter like a hair mask, concentrating at the roots/scalp. She does caution that "it will take a few washes to get rid of the greasy after effect."
3. It will add shine to your strands.
Given this product hails from Brazil, it shouldn't be a shock it will make your hair extra shiny. Because it works to seal the cuticle, it will appear shinier than ever before. "Hair that is hydrated and has a smooth, closed cuticle will look shinier," Dr. Robinson confirms.
4. It can help you achieve stronger strands.
Our hair is rather fragile. We do a lot to it. From heat styling to wearing tight hairstyles, we damage our hair almost every day. To achieve stronger, healthier strands, this butter is your best bet. As Dr. Robinson points out, "hydrated hair is less likely to break when brushing and styling." Treat your strands to the hydration they deserve with this butter.
The Right Way to Use Murumuru Butter on Your Skin and Hair
Before you slather the butter over every inch of your body, there are some things you should know. First, it's not for everyone. Given that it's a bit oily, those who have an oily scalp or acne-prone skin shouldn't use this product. "While it is less comedogenic than cocoa butter and coconut oil, I would still advise that anyone prone to acne should avoid using it on their face, chest or upper back—wherever they experience breakouts," Dr. Robinson says. Additionally, Dr. Liu makes it a point to remind "anyone with known allergies, skin conditions, or sensitive skin" to do a patch test before using the butter.
Don't have sensitive or acne-prone skin? You're all set to start using murumuru butter in your daily skincare and hair care routines. When applying to your strands, Dr. Liu suggests slathering it on your "hair shafts before shampooing to minimize damage or after to add hydration." Dr. Robinson shares that it's best to focus on the ends. "The ends are the most dry and vulnerable because they’ve been around the longest," she mentions. For your skin, Dr. Robinson shares she'd "concentrate on using it on the areas that are extremely dry: elbows, knees, feet, hands." The application process is really as simple as that.
Our Favorite Murumuru Butter Products
1. Best Murumuru Butter Moisturizer:
ITEM BEAUTY Overdew Xtra Intensive Moisturizer For Dry Skin
Dry skin has met its match in this deeply hydrating moisturizer. The moisturizing blend of argan oil, murumuru butter, and magnolia extract will quench your skin's thirst without leaving it feeling tacky or sticky. Our Ipsters can't get enough, with one noting they instantly fell in love. "Bought a second one the moment it came up in a flash sale. Heavily moisturizing and makes a great night cream, but absorbs super quickly and well enough (imo) to use on my combo skin in the mornings too. The scent is light and fresh with mainly citrus notes and doesn't irritate or linger."
2. Best Murumuru Butter Hair Mask:
GROW GORGEOUS Grow Gorgeous Repair Strengthening Hair & Scalp Mask
All it takes is 20 minutes for this mask to work its magic on your strands. Along with murumuru butter, niacinamide, essential minerals and plant extracts work together to moisturize your hair from the inside out. Even your scalp will get a blast of hydration. Ipsters rave, "I saw a good difference after one treatment" and "this was the golden hair mask I never knew I needed."
3. Best Murumuru Butter Lip Mask:
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask in Apple Lime
We often forget to give our lips the attention they deserve. Treat your pucker to some much-needed TLC with this overnight mask. LANEIGE's Moisture Wrap Technology intensely hydrates and nourishes your lips while you get some beauty sleep. Our Ipsters love how it "truly penetrates the surface more than regular balms and hydrates your lips."
4. Best Murumuru Butter Body Butter:
TEADORA Rainforest at Dusk Nourishing Body Cream
Want tighter, firmer skin all over? Grab this nourishing body cream. Massage it everywhere you need an extra bit of hydration right after you step out of the shower to lock in moisture. Not only is it good for your body, but it's also good for the environment. All the ingredients are organic and sustainably sourced. And our Ipsters love the invigorating scent: "Love the smell. Leaves my skin feeling so soft!"
5. Best Murumuru Butter Makeup Product for Boosting Your Glow:
CIATÉ LONDON Dewy Stix in Glow
This illuminator is one of our favorite ways to achieve a radiantly glowing complexion, especially during the winter months. The potent combination of murumuru butter and hyaluronic acid allow you to achieve a dewy, all-over glow that feels great on your skin. It's smooth like butter, without feeling sticky. One of our Ipsters raves, "This cream highlighter is amazing. It’s translucent, subtle with a hint of shine. Plus, it stayed on all day for me. I’m definitely going to be using this one often this summer."
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