What is Mafura Butter? Discover Skin and Hair Care in African Beauty Routines

What is Mafura Butter?

The scientific name for Mafura butter is Trichilia emetic.  It is derived from the shiny black seeds of the Cape Mohogany (botanical name Trichilia emetica) – a beautiful evergreen tree that is found across Southern Africa.

The butter is rich in essential fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic) and is used widely in the Southern African region, especially Mozambique and Zimbabwe, where it is renowned for its cosmetic and healing properties. It is also gaining popularity in the cosmetic industry throughout the world. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. has included it in a recent patent of a product containing skin treatment actives.

Research published in the South African Journal of Botany, the African Journal of Agricultural Research, and PhytoTrade Oils, reveal the amazing benefits of Mafura Butter.

• It has high proportions of palmitic and oleic acids which have been proven to be good skin permeation enhancers.
• It has high levels of oleic acid which have antioxidant properties.
• It contains liminoids known to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• It is rich in essential fatty acids and has a nourishing, revitalizing effect on the skin and hair.
• It is non-drying due to a low iodine level.

So what does all of this mean for you?

This means that products that contain Mafura butter are non-drying and they absorb quickly and beautifully into the skin. Mafura butter softens and improves the elasticity of the skin, encourages regeneration of cells, and has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is also excellent as a hair conditioner as it strengthens and softens natural hair, and alleviates the symptoms of a dry scalp.

Check out our products with Mafura Butter: Heart of Africa Body Balm