Have you heard of cupuacu? The hard-to-name ingredient (pronounced coo-poo-wah-soo) comes from the fruit of an Amazon-dwelling tree. A relative of cacao, cupuacu produces a pod containing delicious pulp and seeds. The fruit, reminiscent of chocolate and pineapple, is used in a variety of South American delicacies, while the seeds are used to extract cupuacu butter and oil.
Cupuacu butter is so good for your skin and hair. It's super creamy and has an extremely low melting point, so it melts right into the skin quickly. It's chock-full of antioxidants, tannins and fatty acids that hydrate, increase elasticity and protect the skin's moisture barrier by retaining moisture longer than other moisturizers. It absorbs quickly without leaving behind a greasy finish and can even reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. We love it for its anti-inflammatory properties and high vitamin E content — it's great a healing sunburns, insect bites and other skin conditions. Cupuacu is also excellent at adding moisture back into overprocessed hair as well as smoothing out the frizz.
Here we've compiled some of our favorite moisturizing beauty products containing coveted cupuacu. Read ahead and see why this tropical hydrator is worth giving a whirl.
The cupuacu craze definitely started with this guy. Hero product from Sol de Janeiro, Bum Bum cream is excellent for smoothing and enhancing one of your best assets. The creamy concoction contains our star ingredient as well as guaraná (another Amazonian fruit, full of caffeine) which has a firming, plumping effect on the skin. Apply the heavenly scented cream, spiked with mica particles anywhere you want a smoother, tighter, more even appearance.
This is one comfortable, soothing charcoal mask. It contains activated charcoal and rose clay to remove oil and impurities, while aloe, alpine rose and cupuacu butter work to hydrate, smooth and boost skin's defenses. It's great for combination skin that benefits from detoxification but is also in need of moisture.
This multi-use oil is great used anywhere on your face or body that needs serious moisture. Cupuacu butter and jojoba oil work to hydrate skin as well protect against free radical damage (thanks to all the antioxidants). Apply the lightweight oil to clean skin or add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer for an extra shot of skin-softening powers.
If you're a fan of creamy, buttery lipsticks, this one is for you. Coming in four ultra-flattering shades that provide comfy, buildable coverage and a tingly hint of mint (thanks to peppermint oil). This cupuacu butter-infused lipstick is sure to become a favorite in your regular lipstick rotation for the gorgeous color and soft, smooth feel.
