Did you know these 5 cocoa butter benefits for skin?

By hearing the word Cocoa, we just wonder about the chocolates we eat but there is more than that. Cocoa butter has been profoundly used for various purposes these days. It has gained popularity since its enormous use in cosmetics such as skincare and hair care products. Cocoa butter is the key ingredient in our everyday refreshments such as chocolates, cakes, cookies, desserts, and beverages.

What is cocoa butter?

Cocoa butter is a white-coloured creamy product that comes from cocoa beans. It is a type of fat. The cocoa beans are dried, roasted, and pressed thus giving out fat which is known as cocoa butter, and what is left over is known as cocoa powder. Cocoa butter is used in making skin creams and lotions. Cocoa butter contains compounds called phytochemicals that keep both your body and skin healthy. It is used as an active ingredient in creams, lotions, and lip balms and serves anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Cocoa butter is mostly beneficial for dry skin types. Cocoa butter has become a boon for people with extremely dry, dull, and damaged skin.

5 Cocoa butter benefits for skin

Cocoa butter is rich in fatty acids. It has the ability to hydrate nourish the skin and improve skin elasticity. As it also has the ability to hold moisture in the skin, it forms a protective barrier for the skin. The common use of cocoa butter is that it smooths scars, wrinkles, acne, and other marks on the skin.

1. Boosts your skin health

Boosting skin health and having a good skincare routine is the only factor to having smooth, moisturized, and glowing skin. Moisturizers, anti-ageing serums, and many other skincare products contain cocoa butter as the main ingredient in the products. These products indicate that it provides several benefits for skin health, such as alleviating dry skin, improving skin health, and improving skin elasticity.

2. Moisturizes your skin

Cocoa butter is a key ingredient in many skin moisturizers, creams, and lotions. Many people use cocoa butter on their dry skin to help relieve it by getting moisture to their skin. As you know cocoa butter is made up of fatty acids, it protects the skin by preventing moisture from going away from the skin and thus preventing skin from drying out. Common skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis which cause skin dryness get relieved by cocoa butter thus moisturizing the skin. There are many cocoa butter body lotions, and cocoa butter creams required for dry skin which is flaky and itching skin. Moisture retention prevents your skin from drying out.

3. Reduces Scars and dark spots

Many believe using cocoa butter reduces the risk of stretch marks, scars, and skin darkening. Body lotions and creams containing ingredients like cocoa butter prevent dry skin from getting stretch marks and other scars thus keeping skin moisturized and healthy.

4. Used in lip balms

Cocoa butter is rich in vitamins E and K and is also edible thus it can be used in making lip balms that protect lips from getting chapped and keep them moisturized. Cocoa butter contains palmitic acid and stearic acid and thus nourishes the lips keeping a soothing effect. Cocoa butter helps keep lips hydrated, moisturized, smooth, soft, and supple. It eradicates the blackening of lips thus giving you pinky plumpy looks and feelings.

5. Source of antioxidants

Cocoa butter is known as a powerhouse of antioxidants. It helps the skin to fight damages caused by sun exposure, pollutants, etc. Skin damage leads to premature ageing. Cocoa butter provides you with soothing relief as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Dirt, dust, and pollution damage the natural barrier of your skin and so cocoa butter is the only ingredient that is chosen over any other ingredient to retain nourish the skin.

How to use cocoa butter for skin?

Step 1

You can get a wide range of cocoa butter products such as lotions, moisturizers, creams, lip balms, and Cocoa hydrates online and the regular supermarkets. You can simply apply them on your skin or affected areas following the given instructions on the product and see results in short.

However, be cautious that some skin types are allergic to Cocoa butter. Stop using Cocoa butter if you find rashes, itching, and allergies. If the problem still continues consult your dermatologist soon.

Step 2

Everyone can't use Cocoa butter products either they can’t afford or trust the product or are only habituated to using it naturally. Not to worry, here is a solution for such people, you can easily prepare the cocoa cream/lotion.

All you need is 2 tables spoons of cocoa butter, 15 ml camelia seed oil, and 3 ml rose/lavender oil if the fragrance is required.

Heat the Cocoa butter until it melts and then add camelia seed oil followed by the fragrance oil and stir it until it gets thick and smooth.

Now gently wash your face with lukewarm water, dry your face, apply the prepared Cocoa lotion, massage with your fingertips in a circular motion, and follow the routine for a week for a young-looking, fair, and charming face.

Does cocoa butter lighten skin?

Skin pigmentation and discolouration is a common battle for many people which can be caused by various reasons. Cocoa butter is the solution again, the oxidants present in it help to moisturize the skin and reduce the dark spots. As Cocoa butter acts as hydrating ageing on the skin it helps diminish the pigmented skin giving an even and glowing tone.

Cocoa butter on face before bed

Cocoa butter is used as an ingredient in body lotions and creams and in making face creams as it is edible and also rich in vitamins E and K. Cocoa butter is also used in sunscreen and can be incorporated into a daily skincare routine. Many people include cocoa butter in their skincare routine by making their own skin products in their home by mixing cocoa butter and other natural oils which is beneficial in retaining skin moisture and protecting the skin barrier layer. Cocoa butter on the face before bed is a daily routine of many people. It helps them fight pigmentation, dark spots, dark skin, acts as a moisturiser, skin-brightening serum, and etc. Cocoa butter can also be involved in diet to keep one's body healthy fit and fine.

Cocoa butter vs shea butter

Cocoa butter comprises saturated fats such as oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, it has very unique & distinctive smell like chocolate and stays solid at room temperature too. On the other hand butter, shea butter comprises linoleic acid, arachidic acid, and palmitic acid. Its fragrance is very mild in nature, and it turns liquid at room temperature.

Both of them help moisturize your skin and help further in skin whitening. It is totally dependent on the skin type and how it reacts with both of them.

Take Away

Cocoa butter is a fatty product that comes from the processing of cocoa beans. Cocoa butter helps to promote skin health and moisturizes the skin. Cocoa butter is used as a key ingredient in many skin products and people use it to get rid of dry skin that is irritated as moisture is left behind. Cocoa butter is used in body lotions, creams, and lip balms and thus it can be used in your daily skincare routine. Cocoa butter is especially beneficial for dry skin types people.

FAQs

What happens if you use cocoa butter every day?

Your skin becomes healthy, the perks of cocoa butter are you can use it multiple times a day and can keep your skin moisturized.

Does cocoa butter increase collagen?

Yes, it does. Cocoa butter properties help increase collagen production in our skin, which helps in skin elasticity and prevents stretch marks.

Does cocoa butter remove dark spots?

Yes, cocoa butter helps removes dark spots on the skin. Using it regularly can do this. The results can be noticed within 2 weeks after the start.

References

Everything you need to know about Cocoa butter. By Healthline, Mar 30, 2017.

What are the benefits of cocoa butter? Medical News Today, May 21, 2019.