The Cocoa Butter benefits have been known and used for centuries in skin and hair care. It is rich in emollient properties and offers numerous benefits for overall skin health. Cocoa butter is really great for your skin! It can help with things like dry or crêpey skin, stretch marks, and it even makes your skin a bit more flexible. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways in which Cocoa Butter can benefit your skin.
Table of Contents
Where Does It Come From?
Cocoa Butter is a pale yellow, solid fat that is extracted from cacao beans when making cocoa powder. It is solid at room temperature and has to be melted before it can be used in creams and lotions. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a mild chocolate aroma.
The INCI name for it is Theobroma Cacao. The plant is mainly grown in West Africa, which supplies over half of the world’s total.
The cocoa beans are fermented and then dried. This develops the flavour, and then they are roasted to intensify that flavour and aroma even more. The beans are then ground into a paste and pressed. This separates out the cocoa solids and allows the liquid butter to be collected underneath the press. It is then gently refined to remove any impurities and extend its shelf-life.
This is exactly the same product that is used in high-end chocolate production, but with the addition of cocoa powder.
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Cocoa Butter as a Moisturiser for Dry Skin
As a natural moisturiser, it is superior to the synthetic ingredients used in many lotions and creams. It is free from harsh chemicals and additives that can irritate sensitive skin. It soothes and nourishes without causing irritation. It conditions your skin with vitamins and essential fatty acids that promote healthy skin cell growth and repair.
It’s highly effective in treating dehydrated skin due to its emollient properties. It creates a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing moisture loss and locking in hydration. Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) is the technical term for measuring a product’s effectiveness using specialised equipment. Cocoa Butter receives outstandingly positive ratings. Regular use can replenish the skin’s moisture levels, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
Antioxidant Properties of Cocoa Butter for Skin
Cocoa Butter is packed with antioxidants that help tackle free radicals, which can harm your skin and lead to early signs of ageing. Its antioxidant properties make it an excellent choice for keeping the skin healthy and younger looking. Regular use will help to protect against environmental stressors and pollution, promoting overall skin health.
Typical Essential Fatty Acid Profile of Cocoa Butter
- C16:0 Palmitic Acid 25% to 26%
- C18:0 Stearic Acid 34% to 37%
- C18:1 Oleic Acid (Omega-9) 34% to 35%
- C18:2 Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) 4%
- C18:3 Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega-3) max 0.5%
It also contains antioxidants that can help fight off free radicals and protect the skin from premature ageing.
Palmitic Acid is the most commonly found saturated fatty acid, and it has great emollient properties. In hair care formulations, it softens your hair without leaving it feeling sticky or greasy.
Stearic Acid is great for keeping products stable for a long time. Plus, it conditions your hair without weighing it down or making it feel greasy. It is an effective skin softener.
Oleic Acid is also known as Omega-9, and it is excellent at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In body products like massage creams and balms, it helps to reduce stiffness in your joints, easing inflammation and pain. It is another essential fatty acid that keeps your skin soft and supple. When added to hair products, it stimulates the hair follicles to help grow stronger and thicker hair.
Linoleic Acid is also known as Omega-6, and this fatty acid has good anti-inflammatory properties and even helps wound healing. In skincare products, it helps your skin retain moisture (TEWL). It can be used for acne products to soothe current problems and also reduce the chance of future breakouts. For hair care, it’s a great moisturiser and also promotes strong hair growth.
Cocoa Butter Benefits for Skin Conditions
Cocoa Butter has been used for centuries to treat various skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Its moisturising and soothing properties can help to alleviate itching, redness, and inflammation associated with these conditions. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for sensitive skin, providing relief and nourishment without causing further irritation.
Can Cocoa Butter Help with Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are something a lot of people worry about, especially women who’ve been through pregnancy or anyone who’s suddenly gained or lost weight. Cocoa Butter contains cocoa polyphenols that improve skin quality and make it more resilient to stretching, reducing the likelihood of stretch marks. Using Shea Butter enhances the effectiveness of it. Shea Butter contains phytosterols that help regenerate new skin cells in the basal layer.
Enhancing Skin Tone with Cocoa Butter
Cocoa Butter can improve the overall appearance and tone of your skin. It really helps to smooth out any uneven skin tones and gives your complexion a nice glow. This is important for products that help slow down the signs of ageing in your skin. Using it regularly can really help with scars, blemishes, and dark spots, making your skin look smoother and a bit younger.
Is Cocoa Butter Suitable for All Skin Types?
Cocoa Butter benefits all skin types, but it’s particularly beneficial for people with dry and dehydrated skin. It is frequently used in mature skin products and night creams. It can also benefit oily and combination skin when combined with oils like Hazelnut oil that help reduce oiliness.
Using Cocoa Butter With Cannabis
Cannabis can be infused into various oils, but butters are more challenging since they solidify at room temperature. When using the POT by NOIDS herbal extractor, you can add Cocoa Butter to the glass beaker with decarboxylated cannabis. The heat will melt the butter easily.
Once the infusion process has finished, put the straining filter on the glass beaker and squeeze out the oil. The beaker will be very hot, and you can’t wait for it to cool down as the butter will solidify. You’ll need to wear oven gloves to do this safely.
Once strained, wipe out the used herb from the beaker using paper towel. Clean off the filter as well. Both parts are safe to put in the dishwasher for an easy clean up.
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Conclusion
Cocoa Butter makes an exceptional moisturiser as it is a natural emollient, outshining synthetic alternatives. Rich in antioxidants, it protects against free radical damage, preserving youthful skin. This butter has a special mix of fatty acids like Palmitic, Stearic, Oleic, and Linoleic, which really help to keep your skin hydrated and calm down inflammation. It’s effective in treating different skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and stretch marks.
Cocoa Butter is good for different types of skin, but most especially, dry and dehydrated skin. It works well with Shea Butter to help regenerate skin cells. It helps even out skin tones, scars, and blemishes, and is safe for sensitive skin.
FAQ
What are the main benefits of cocoa butter for skin?
Cocoa butter is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, making it excellent for moisturising dry skin, improving elasticity, and forming a protective barrier to retain moisture.
Can cocoa butter help with stretch marks and scars?
While cocoa butter is commonly used to improve the appearance of stretch marks and scars, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.
Is cocoa butter suitable for all skin types?
Cocoa butter is generally safe for most skin types, but it may clog pores for those with acne-prone or oily skin.
How can I use cocoa butter in my skincare routine?
Cocoa butter can be applied directly to the skin or incorporated into lotions, creams, and balms. It’s best used after bathing to lock in moisture.
Does cocoa butter have anti-ageing properties?
The antioxidants in cocoa butter may help protect the skin from free radical damage, potentially reducing signs of ageing.
Can cocoa butter be used on the face?
While cocoa butter can be used on the face, those with sensitive or acne-prone skin should use it cautiously, as it may cause breakouts.
Is cocoa butter beneficial for hair?
Cocoa butter can moisturize and strengthen hair, improve scalp health, and reduce frizz, making it a beneficial ingredient in hair care products.
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