Murumuru butter

What is murumuru butter?

Murumuru butter is a botanical butter obtained from the seed kernels of the murumuru palm, Astrocaryum murumuru. You may see it on a cosmetic ingredient list as Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter. It is a plant fat used to give skincare a softening, conditioning quality.

The palm belongs to the Arecaceae family and is native to northern South America, including northern Brazil. Its botanical origin helps explain the name; it does not, by itself, tell you where a particular skincare ingredient was harvested or how it was processed.

• Ingredient typeBotanical seed butter
• Botanical nameAstrocaryum murumuru
• Skincare roleEmollient and skin conditioning
• In our rangeGold Face Cream and Silver Cream

Why use murumuru butter in skincare?

The appeal of a botanical butter begins with how a cream feels in your hands and on your skin. Murumuru contributes richness and body to our cream blends, alongside the other oils and butters in each recipe. It is one part of the texture you experience as you spread a small amount over the skin.

Choosing a cream is also a matter of preference. Some people enjoy a richer finish for their evening ritual, while others prefer a smaller amount during the day. The presence of one butter cannot tell you exactly how heavy or light the finished product will feel: the whole blend and the amount applied both matter.

When comparing products, look beyond a single featured ingredient. Read the complete list, consider the intended use and choose a texture that fits comfortably into your usual routine.

How it fits alongside botanical oils

A formula can combine several botanical ingredients for different qualities. In our Gold Face Cream, murumuru sits alongside kokum and cacao butters, plus a blend that includes meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba oil and rosehip oil. Exploring these ingredients together gives a fuller picture of the cream.

Our Silver Cream uses another combination: its ingredient list includes murumuru butter, coconut oil, aloe vera juice, jojoba, grapeseed, sweet almond butter, babassu and copaiba alongside colloidal silver. The shared butter connects the two creams, but their recipes are distinct.

Murumuru butter and coconut oil are not interchangeable names. Likewise, kokum butter in the Gold Face Cream should not be confused with coconut oil. Reading each ingredient separately makes comparisons much clearer.

Murumuru butter in our range

Both of the following products list murumuru butter. Use the links to explore their full ingredients and current directions.

Always refer to the label on your own product for its ingredient list and directions.

Making room in your skincare ritual

Start with the directions for the finished cream. Take a small amount and spread it gently, giving yourself a moment to notice the texture before applying more. A generous scoop is not automatically a better fit; the amount that feels comfortable will depend on the product and your preferences.

If you already use several skincare products, introduce a new cream on its own rather than changing everything at once. This makes it easier to notice whether the blend suits you. Check the whole formula, including any essential oils, rather than assuming that a botanical ingredient makes every product suitable for every person.

For a closer look at other ingredients in these blends, explore our guides to aloe vera and vitamin E. Each ingredient plays its part within a complete product.

Texture, temperature and storage

Rich botanical creams can feel firmer in a cool room and softer when warm. Follow the label’s storage guidance and keep the jar away from direct sunlight, radiators and other sources of heat. Close the lid after use and keep water out of the container.

Use clean, dry hands or a clean spatula to take out what you need. Do not add water or extra oils to change the consistency: this alters the finished formula. If you notice an unexpected change in smell, colour or appearance, pause use and contact us with the product details.

Murumuru butter: your questions answered

Botanical references

For the plant’s botanical identity, see Kew’s Plants of the World Online. For its cosmetic ingredient name and function, see the murumuru seed butter entry in COSMILE Europe.