Ucuuba: The Tree That Came Back to Life

In the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, where rivers swell and retreat with the seasons, grows an extraordinary tree known as Ucuuba - pronounced Oo-coo-oo-bah - (Virola surinamensis). Its name comes from the Indigenous Tupi language: ucu meaning “grease” and yba meaning “tree”—literally, the “grease tree.” This is a fitting name, as its seeds yield a rich, dark-golden-brown butter that has become a prized ingredient in natural skincare.

But Ucuuba’s story is not just about beauty—it’s a powerful example of how conscious consumer choices can protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and support traditional communities.

From Timber to Treasure

For many years, Ucuuba trees were commonly cut down for their wood. Its lightness and workability made it ideal for broomsticks, matchsticks, and low-cost wooden items. While this trade offered valuable income for Amazonian families, it also contributed to the decline of Ucuuba populations, especially in Brazil, where the species has been listed as vulnerable due to overharvesting and habitat loss.

This began to change as the world started to recognise the incredible value of Ucuuba Butter.

As demand for Ucuuba Butter grew in the natural beauty industry, so did a new awareness: a living Ucuuba tree is far more valuable than one cut down. Today, instead of felling these trees, communities harvest the fruits after they drop naturally, extract the seeds, and process them into the butter we love. This sustainable approach protects the tree, supports biodiversity, and provides reliable income for local families.

In fact, the shift toward harvesting Ucuuba seeds has helped reduce deforestation pressure and inspired reforestation initiatives, as communities see the long-term value in protecting and planting more Ucuuba trees.

Why This Matters

This is what it means to buy from businesses committed to sustainability. When you choose products that are ethically sourced and traceable, you’re not just nourishing your skin—you’re taking part in a model that:

• Preserves endangered species and habitats

• Supports traditional livelihoods

• Encourages forest regeneration and conservation

Ucuuba is living proof that the beauty industry can become a force for good—not through exploitation, but through thoughtful collaboration with nature and its guardians.

The Skin-Loving Benefits of Ucuuba Butter

Ucuuba Butter is rich in myristic, lauric, and palmitic acids—fatty acids known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and deeply moisturising properties. It’s especially beneficial for:

• Restoring the skin’s natural barrier

• Balancing oily or acne-prone skin

• Soothing irritation and inflammation

• Nourishing dry, mature, or damaged skin

Its dark-golden colour and firm texture make it stand out among tropical butters, while its distinctive smoky, woodsy scent connects you to the forest it comes from.

Ucuuba in Jungle Glow

I use Ucuuba Butter in one of my soap formulations because it’s not only rich and restorative, but deeply symbolic. It represents a shift—a return to harmony between people and planet. The butter lends the soap a beautiful texture and nourishing quality, while its smoky-woodsy scent gives the essential oil blend a grounding, harmonious base.

This is more than skincare. This is restoration in action.

Choose beauty that restores. Keep the Ucuuba trees standing.