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Murumuru

Murumuru plant

Murumuru – Powerful butter from the Amazon for skin and hair

Murumuru is an extraordinary plant butter extracted from the seeds of the spiny palm tree Astrocaryum murumuru. It grows in the Amazon region, especially in the regularly flooded lowlands along the river courses. The thorny palm reaches a height of up to ten meters and is easily recognizable by its large leaves and distinctive spines.

When the fruits are ripe, the entire fruit cluster falls to the ground. The locals collect the edible fruits, separate the seeds from the pulp, and dry them. The very hard seeds are ground before pressing. The result of hydraulic pressing is solid murumuru kernel butter – a valuable natural product with a high nutrient density.

Traditionally, murumuru is not only valued as a food in South America, but is also used to support skin health and repel ticks, as it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

 

Valuable fatty acids in murumuru butter

Murumuru butter is characterized by an exceptionally high proportion of saturated fatty acids. The saturated/unsaturated ratio is approximately 90/10, which gives it high stability and low susceptibility to rancidity. This fatty acid profile makes murumuru butter particularly well suited for use in cosmetics.

Fatty acid composition (approximate):

  • Lauric acid 49%
  • Myristic acid 24%
  • Oleic acid 12%
  • Linoleic acid 2.5%
  • Palmitic acid 6%
  • Stearic acid 2%
  • Caprylic acid 1–4%
  • Capric acid 1–2%
  • Palmitoleic acid 1.5%

The waxy butter is white-beige in color and has a pleasant, slightly musky aroma.

 

 

Properties and melting point

With a melting range between 32°C and 35°C, murumuru butter is more solid than palm oil (approx. 25°C) or coconut oil (approx. 22.7°C), which makes it particularly valuable for a wide range of cosmetic applications. For example, it can be combined with softer vegetable fats or partially replace cocoa butter to improve the stability and texture of formulations.

 

 

Lauric acid – a key active ingredient

A main component of murumuru butter is lauric acid (INCI: Lauric Acid, CAS No. 143-07-7). As a saturated fatty acid, it is used in many ways in skin and hair care – both as a surfactant and emulsifier and as a functional active ingredient.

Lauric acid occurs naturally in triglycerides in all skin fats. In murumuru butter, it has the following effects:

  • anti-inflammatory
  • antibacterial
  • skin-soothing
  • cooling
  • nourishing

It can replace palm oil, palm kernel oil, or coconut oil in soap formulations and ensures good lather and a pleasant skin feel.

Important: Health claims such as “effective against cardiovascular disease” or “supports weight loss” are not permitted in the EU and are not scientifically proven. However, there is evidence of its effectiveness against skin infections, especially against Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium that plays a role in blemished skin.

 

 

Murumuru in cosmetics – versatile and effective

In cosmetic products, murumuru butter is particularly valued for:

  • Intensive moisturizing
  • Softening, smoothing effect
  • Antioxidant properties
  • Excellent spreadability

It is ideal for:

  • Dry and mature skin
  • Anti-aging formulations
  • Anti-wrinkle care
  • Rough skin areas (e.g., elbows)
  • Cracks and chapped skin areas

Murumuru butter reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL), restores the hydrolipid film, and strengthens the skin barrier. Its antimicrobial effect also makes it suitable for acne-prone skin.

 

 

Hair care with murumuru

Thanks to its film-forming properties, murumuru butter also supports hair care:

  • Nourishes dry, frizzy, and curly hair
  • Improves smoothness and combability
  • Has an anti-frizz effect
  • Gives natural shine

It is an excellent moisturizer and shine enhancer in shampoos, conditioners, or hair masks.

 

 

Versatility in cosmetic formulations

Thanks to its compact, non-greasy texture, murumuru butter is suitable as:

  • A consistency enhancer
  • An emollient in lotions, creams, and masks
  • A raw material for soaps
  • A makeup additive in foundation, blush, mascara, or lipsticks

It forms a transparent, silicone-like protective film on the skin and hair – a natural alternative to silicones with a comparable sensory profile, but without any greasiness or stickiness.

Murumuru is non-comedogenic, does not cause irritation and is also suitable for sensitive skin.

In after-sun products, its high lauric acid content also has a cooling and soothing effect.

 

 

Sustainability and raw material quality

Brazilian raw material supplier Beraca also uses murumuru seeds as a natural exfoliating agent in shower gels, face and body cleansers, and scalp care products. These exfoliating particles are 100% biodegradable, sustainably harvested, and an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic microparticles.

 

 

Quality aspects and recommendations

Unfortunately, murumuru butter is sometimes diluted with inferior fillers such as glycerin or refined fat pastes. For high-quality cosmetic applications, it is important to look for recognized certifications, e.g.:

  • Ecocert
  • COSMOS
  • USDA Organic
  • Organico Brasil
  • Euro-Bio-Label

These seals provide assurance of purity, cultivation, and processing.

 

 

Profile: Murumuru butter

INCI: Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter

CAS number: 356065-49-1

Origin: Brazil

Extraction: hydraulic cold pressing

Storage: cool, dry, protected from light at 14–18°C

Shelf life: unopened: 18 months

Main components: lauric acid, myristic acid, oleic acid

Effect: reduces TEWL, strengthens the hydrolipid film, supports the skin barrier, moisturizes, smooths skin and hair

Use: Skin care, anti-aging products, makeup, hair care (especially curly/frizzy hair), consistency enhancer, silicone alternative

Application concentration: 0.2–5%

 

 

Conclusion – Murumuru as a premium cosmetic ingredient

Murumuru butter is a versatile and powerful plant-based active ingredient with excellent properties for skin and hair care. As a natural alternative to silicones and medium-chain fatty acids, it provides intense moisture, antioxidant effects, and a silky, non-greasy feel. It is particularly suitable for sensitive, mature, dry, or acne-prone skin and is ideal for high-quality natural and premium cosmetics.

Cosmacon will be happy to advise you on how to optimally integrate murumuru butter into your formulations—for innovative, effective, and consumer-oriented care products.

 

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