PLANT BUTTER
Murumuru Seed Butter
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
A soft butter from the seeds of the murumuru palm, rich in lauric and myristic acids, used to help skin feel soft, smooth and cushioned.
Source
Murumuru palm seeds
Used for
Dry-feeling skin, softness
How it works
A melting butter from a tropical palm.
Murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) is a spiny palm native to tropical South America. The butter is obtained from its seeds and appears on ingredient lists as Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter.
Murumuru butter is a saturated fat, rich in lauric acid. That profile gives it a firm texture and a lighter, less greasy feel than many butters. In skin care it is listed as an emollient that softens and smooths the skin, helping it feel soft, smooth and cushioned.
It suits most skin types and appears in richer creams, serums and eye care, where it adds slip and a cushioned texture.
Murumuru butter is a saturated fat, rich in lauric acid. That profile gives it a firm texture and a lighter, less greasy feel than many butters. In skin care it is listed as an emollient that softens and smooths the skin, helping it feel soft, smooth and cushioned.
It suits most skin types and appears in richer creams, serums and eye care, where it adds slip and a cushioned texture.
-
01
A firm, smooth plant butter that softens the feel of skin
-
02
Rich in lauric acid for a light, non-greasy feel
-
03
Listed in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning emollient
Questions
What is murumuru seed butter?
It is the solid fat obtained from the seeds of the murumuru palm, Astrocaryum murumuru, a palm native to tropical South America. In cosmetics it appears on ingredient lists as Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, and it is listed as an emollient that softens and smooths the skin. (USDA GRIN; COSMILE Europe)
What is murumuru butter made of?
Mostly saturated fatty acids, with lauric acid the most prominent. That high saturated content is why it is a firm butter rather than a liquid oil. (Serra et al., 2019)
How is murumuru butter different from cocoa butter?
They melt in a similar way but are built from different fatty acids. Murumuru is rich in lauric acid, whereas cocoa butter is made up mainly of stearic, oleic and palmitic acids, which is part of why murumuru has its lighter, less greasy feel. (Pereira et al., 2019; Serra et al., 2019; Ozdemir et al., 2026)
What does murumuru butter do in skincare?
It is listed in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning emollient, which means it softens and smooths the skin and helps keep it in good condition. Its firm, lauric-rich texture adds a cushioned, less greasy feel to creams. As with any new product, patch test first if your skin is sensitive. (COSMILE Europe; Serra et al., 2019)
About the plant
The murumuru palm, Astrocaryum murumuru, belongs to the palm family (Arecaceae). It is native to tropical South America, from northern Brazil through the Guianas and Venezuela to Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. (USDA GRIN)
The butter comes from the palm's seeds, and it is one of several Amazonian plant fats, alongside cupuaçu and bacuri. (COSMILE Europe; Pereira et al., 2019)
The butter comes from the palm's seeds, and it is one of several Amazonian plant fats, alongside cupuaçu and bacuri. (COSMILE Europe; Pereira et al., 2019)
The research
- Serra JL, Rodrigues AMDC, de Freitas RA, Meirelles AJA, Darnet SH, Silva LHMD. Alternative sources of oils and fats from Amazonian plants: Fatty acids, methyl tocols, total carotenoids and chemical composition. Food Research International, 2019;116:12-19. PMID: 30716906 (opens in a new tab)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, GRIN-Global Taxonomy. Astrocaryum murumuru Mart. (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter (plant part: seeds (kernels); functions: skin conditioning, emollient) (opens in a new tab)
- Pereira E, Ferreira MC, Sampaio KA, Grimaldi R, Meirelles AJA, Maximo GJ. Physical properties of Amazonian fats and oils and their blends. Food Chemistry, 2019;278:208-215. PMID: 30583364 (opens in a new tab)
- Ozdemir O, Keskin-Cavdar H, Polat S, Unal MU. Influence of Cocoa Liquor Origin on Cocoa Butter Composition and Color, Texture, and Rheological Properties of Milk and Dark Chocolates: A Preliminary Study. Food Science & Nutrition, 2026;14(8):e72130. PMID: 42534342 (opens in a new tab)
Found In
Type: Face Care
Phyto-Retinol Refining Facial Serum
30mlRegular price £42.00Sale price Regular price
Type: Face Care
Phyto-Retinol Refining Moisturiser
50mlRegular price £38.00Sale price Regular price
Bundle & Save
Bundle & Save
