6 Skin and Hair Benefits of Murumuru Butter

Hair and body butters have long been used to nourish both hair and skin.

While cocoa and shea butter remain popular choices, a newcomer called murumuru butter is rising in popularity and may soon rival them.

Murumuru butter is obtained from the creamy, pale-yellow fat extracted from the seeds of Astrocaryum murumuru, a palm native to the Amazon rainforest (1, 2).

Besides being used to soften skin and hair, this natural butter — along with other Amazonian fats and oils — is being investigated as a culinary substitute for coconut oil and cocoa butter (1, 2).

Below are 6 ways murumuru butter can benefit skin and hair

1. A natural skin hydrator

Murumuru butter serves as an effective emollient prized for its moisturizing ability.

Healthy skin features a lipid-rich barrier that locks in moisture, whereas dry skin often has reduced fat content. Thus, lotions and creams high in lipids can improve skin hydration by helping retain water (3, 4, 5).

Murumuru butter’s fatty acid composition resembles that of cocoa butter and contains medium- and long-chain fatty acids like lauric and myristic acid, which may help rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier (1, 6, 7).

For optimal results, apply murumuru butter right after showering, when skin best absorbs moisture (7).

You’ll also find murumuru butter lip balms that help keep lips soft and hydrated.

Summary: Rich in lipids, murumuru butter helps hydrate skin by locking in moisture.

2. Reduces hair frizz

Because of its hydrating qualities, murumuru butter is increasingly used as a hair treatment.

Frizz often stems from insufficient moisture. Hair has an outer layer called the cuticle; when hair is dry the cuticle becomes rough and raised, creating a frizzy look (8, 9).

Murumuru butter is rich in lauric acid, a fatty acid known to penetrate the hair shaft. This helps hair retain moisture and smooth the cuticle, producing softer, better-hydrated strands (10).

It also naturally shields hair from sun damage, heat, and other harmful agents (10).

Apply murumuru butter for 2–3 minutes in the shower or leave it on overnight as a deep-conditioning mask.

Summary: Murumuru butter’s fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, can enter the hair shaft to lock in moisture and minimize frizz.

3. Less likely to block pores

If coconut oil feels too heavy, murumuru butter might be a suitable substitute.

Compared with moisturizers like cocoa butter and coconut oil, murumuru butter tends to be less comedogenic, meaning it has a lower chance of clogging pores and triggering acne or comedones (11, 12).

It may soothe and replenish the skin’s natural barrier without provoking breakouts, which is a common concern for acne-prone complexions (12).

That said, if your skin is oily, murumuru butter can still feel too heavy—especially on the face, which has more sebaceous glands and is more prone to breakouts than areas like hands, elbows, or feet (13).

Consequently, oil-rich products like murumuru butter may be better suited for tougher, drier patches of skin (13, 14).

If you’re unsure about your skin type, consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional.

Summary: Murumuru butter is generally less likely than alternatives like cocoa butter to clog pores, which may help prevent breakouts; however, it might still be too heavy for acne-prone facial skin.

4. May lessen the look of wrinkles

Using murumuru butter on the skin may help maintain a youthful look by providing nourishing fats and nutrients.

Hydration supports a healthy skin membrane and can slow the development of fine lines. Keeping skin plump through moisturization may also lessen the visibility of wrinkles (15).

Murumuru butter contains vitamin A, a fat-soluble antioxidant essential for skin, hair, and eye health. Vitamin A is associated with anti-aging outcomes like increased cell turnover and protection from UV damage (2, 16, 17, 18).

Nevertheless, clinical evidence specific to murumuru butter’s anti-aging effects is lacking, so further study is necessary.

Summary: By nourishing and hydrating skin, murumuru butter may help reduce signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Enhances hair shine

Lustrous hair is often a sign of good health.

To achieve natural shine, hair needs to be well-hydrated and free from damage. Damaged hair reflects light poorly, appearing dull (9, 10).

Thanks to its notable hydrating capacity, murumuru butter and other lipid-rich conditioners can lock moisture into the hair shaft and restore natural sheen (9, 10).

Summary: To avoid dull hair, use a lipid-rich conditioner like murumuru butter to keep strands hydrated and retain their natural shine.

5. May ease eczema symptoms

Eczema involves dry, irritated skin and is often associated with reduced levels of fatty acids and ceramides in the skin (19, 20, 21).

Applying murumuru butter may help relieve eczema by restoring hydration and replenishing the skin’s natural barrier (21, 22).

Although direct clinical trials on murumuru butter and eczema are absent, evidence shows coconut oil — which has a similar molecular profile — can improve eczema by moisturizing the skin, suggesting murumuru butter might offer comparable benefits (23, 24).

Summary: Conditions like eczema are tied to depleted skin lipids. Using a lipid-rich product such as murumuru butter may help rebuild the moisture barrier and reduce dryness and irritation.

6. Suitable for sensitive skin

A substantial portion of people — roughly 50–60% of men and 60–70% of women — report some degree of sensitive skin (25, 26).

Sensitive skin often has diminished lipid levels in the skin membrane, which can cause tightness, discomfort, and increased susceptibility to irritants like fragrances and alcohols commonly found in skincare products (26, 27).

A gentle, lipid-rich formulation with few additives — such as pure murumuru butter — can help repair the skin barrier without aggravating sensitivity. Be sure to check product labels to avoid known irritants (27).

Summary: Many people experience sensitive skin that flares when exposed to certain ingredients. Murumuru butter could be a mild, soothing option.

Where to purchase murumuru butter

Murumuru butter is readily available online and in retail shops as conditioners, lip balms, and skin creams.

While pure butter is sold, many commercial products blend murumuru butter with other components like shea butter, rose water, alcohols, and fragrances.

If you have sensitive skin, review ingredient lists carefully and opt for the pure form when possible.

Summary: Murumuru butter can be found in stores and online as conditioners, lip treatments, and creams, either pure or combined with other ingredients.

The bottom line

Murumuru butter is derived from the Amazonian palm Astrocaryum murumuru. Though not as well known as other palm-derived butters, it’s gaining traction for its potential to support healthy skin and hair.

It may boost hydration for skin and hair, reduce hair frizz, and be gentle enough for sensitive skin. Still, additional research is needed to fully confirm these benefits.

If you’d like to try murumuru butter, you can buy it online or in stores.

Shop for murumuru products online.