Mango is cultivated in more than 100 countries and is one of the most consumed fruits in the world. These nutritious fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support your overall health.

One cup of mango contains 67 percent of your daily vitamin C and more than 8 percent of your daily copper, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and vitamin E.

Including mango in your diet is a great way to support your skin health. The high vitamin C content helps support your body’s natural collagen production. The high antioxidant content helps prevent sun damage and premature aging.

Mangoes may also be able to hydrate your skin when applied topically. Mango butter, extracts, and oils are becoming increasingly more popular in skin care products.

Let’s look at the specific ways mango can benefit your skin health.

Mango is loaded with a type of antioxidant called mangiferin that may help protect your body from cellular damage. It’s also a great source of the following vitamins, which all act as antioxidants in your body:

  • vitamin E
  • vitamin A
  • vitamin C

Some of the specific ways mango may benefit your skin include:

May reduce signs of sun damage

The naturally occurring antioxidants in mango have the potential to reduce signs of sun damage by reducing oxidation of your skin cells.

A 2013 Korean study examined the effect of mango on sun damage in hairless mice. The researchers fed the mice either a placebo or water with 100 milligrams of mango extract per kilogram of body weight each day.

The researchers found that mice given water with mango extract had smaller wrinkles and fewer signs of sun damage.

Support collagen formation

Mango is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in your skin and gives your skin its structure.

People who don’t get enough vitamin C develop a condition known as scurvy. Many of the symptoms of scurvy, such as poor wound healing and scaly skin, are caused by reduced collagen production.

May reduce acne

Mango contains a high amount of vitamin A. It’s thought that vitamin A deficiency may increase your risk of developing acne by increasing your body’s production of the protein keratin. An overproduction of keratin can lead to clogged hair follicles and sweat glands that develop into acne.

Reduce signs of aging

Vitamins E and C act together to protect your skin from environmental damage.

These two vitamins are stored in your skin cells. When your skin is exposed to pollution or sunlight, the amount of these vitamins is reduced. If vitamins E and C aren’t replenished, your skin becomes more susceptible to damage that can lead to premature aging.

Vitamin C also supports your body’s production of collagen. Reduced collagen production leads to wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Mangoes can contain between 1,000 to 6,000 international units of vitamin A. Foods high in vitamin A have photoprotective effects, meaning they help reduce sun damage.

May reduce risk of skin cancer and other cancers

Polyphenols are chemicals naturally synthesized by plants. Mango contains a polyphenol called mangiferin that acts as an antioxidant. Mango kernels, seeds, and peels contain the highest concentration of mangiferin. The leaves, stalks, and bark of mango plants also contain high levels of this chemical.

There’s some evidence that mangiferin can reduce your risk of certain types of cancer, including:

More research is needed to fully understand its effects.

Mice studies have found that mangiferin suppresses skin cancer caused by ultraviolet radiation by inhibiting an enzyme called extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Along with eating fresh mango, you can consume mango oil or extract for a more concentrated dose of the key nutrients.

You can also apply mango directly to your skin using mango butter or by adding mango to a face mask.

There’s a limited amount of research looking at the benefits of applying mango directly to your skin. However, many people enjoy the fruity smell and claim that it helps moisturize their skin.

Mango butter is made from mango seeds and contains a high concentration of fatty acids. You can apply it directly to your skin the same way you would apply cocoa butter or shea butter.

Mango butter for dry skin

There’s a limited amount of research looking at the benefits of mango butter. However, mango butter and cocoa butter have very similar fat profiles and physical properties.

Applying mango butter to your skin has the potential to form a protective barrier that helps your skin retain moisture.

One 2008 study found that mango butter has a high potential to replenish moisture and soften skin when used in a foot cream.

Avoid mango butter for acne

Some people claim that mango butter can help manage acne. However, there’s no evidence that this is the case. It even has the potential to clog your pores and make acne worse because of its high fat content.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends against applying oily products like cocoa butter or shea butter to acne-prone areas.

Mango oil and mango extract usually come from the kernel, skin, or leaves of mangoes. They’re often used in cosmetics and sunscreen for their high concentration of:

Mango extracts contain a concentrated form of the antioxidant mangiferin that may have anti-cancerous and anti-aging benefits.

There’s a limited amount of research looking at the benefits of applying these products directly to your skin. However, one study did find that mangiferin does appear to be able to penetrate your epidermis and dermis when applied topically, which suggests it may be beneficial.

One 2013 study found that mango oil has the potential to repel mosquitos.

Using mango on your skin is relatively safe as long as you use mango products the way they’re intended. You should never consume mango products that are only meant to be used on your skin.

Although uncommon, some people may experience an allergic reaction when they touch mangoes.

Mango skins contain a chemical called urushiol that’s also found in poison ivy and poison oak. Contact with this substance can lead to a rash in some people that can be delayed up to 48 hours after exposure.

It’s also important to note that if you have a poison ivy or poison oak rash and eat mangoes, the rash can worsen. So, it’s best to avoid the fruit altogether until the rash clears.

Mango is a nutritious fruit loaded with healthy nutrients that can help support your skin and overall health. The vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants in mango may help you prevent premature aging and protect your skin from sun damage. You can apply mango butter to your skin as a substitute for shea or cocoa butter.

The first time you use mango on your skin, you may want to apply it to a small section away from your face or other sensitive areas and wait 48 hours to see how your body reacts.