Months ago I asked the lovely women of Naturally Curly, what butters they like besides shea butter and cocoa butter. 


Here are some of the answers:


“kokum makes a really good lotion. It is similar to cocoa butter in composition and hardness. I think illipe is also similar to kokum.” 


“Mango is similar to shea and cocoa butter (does not smell like mangoes btw). It’s softer than cocoa butter.”

“I love avocado butter, its a really smooth and creamy butter. I use it on my skin as a moisturizer and I add it to conditioners for a deep conditioner. I recently ordered hemp seed butter to experiment with that one.”


“shea – my go to butter for twisting and sealing, espically whipped shea. I even mix it with my gel to make a pudding.

Mango – slightly softer than shea but works about the same. if you have a problem with shea sitting on the sop of your hair or not absorbing, I would recommend this one.

Olive – very light, melts easily in hands. Calling it a “butter” is slightly misleading, since its really just hydrogenated olive oil. texture sort of reminds me of the old school Crisco. LOVE this on my scalp.

Aloe – same as the olive, but is REALLY light! Good on scalp or ends. Can be a bit greasy if you over apply…I like to mix it with gel or use to to scrunch out hair that has too much hold.

hemp – same as the olive, except this CAN be slightly greasy if you use to much. I prefer it on wet hair or applied directly to my scalp.

avocado – same as olive, aloe, and hemp.

cupuacu – this is hands down my FAVORITE…but it can be kinda expensive. I like to use this for everything…twisting, sealing the ends, mixing with stylers, adding to conditioners, you name it. I try to keep some on hand always…especially in the winter months.

mumuru – Think shea butter but MUCH better. It absorbs easily, doesn’t sit on the hair, and leaves good shine (a lot of people complain that shea butter leaves their hair dull). I like to melt this and add it to conditioners (rinse out, deep, and leave in) because it instantly ups the moisture level!”

So I have been researching butters for almost a year now and it’s not easy. A lot of butters aren’t “butters” at all but, a mix of vegetable shortening (usually hydrogenated soybean oil) and an oil. 
Olive butter, aloe butter, and hemp butters all are hard to find in an actually butter form and not a “made” butter. 


Of the true butters, I want to try mumuru, cupuacu, and avocado butters. 


What butters, would you like to try?