Things To Know Before Using Cocoa Butter For Skin
Convinced to give cocoa butter a try? Heres what to consider before that.
A study conducted in 2015 suggests that cocoa butter products contain anti-estrogenic effects. These are female hormone-blocking effects that can make it difficult for the estrogen to perform in your body. Although it will not have an early effect, as your child grows older you can expect her to have anti-estrogenic drawbacks during adolescences development during puberty.
Besides that, as it clogs your pores, its best to avoid cocoa butter for acne-prone skin to ensure you never put your skin at risk.
Why The Body Butter Feels Grainy
Through my research, I found that sometimes, the body butter becomes grainy. This can happen IF:
- You heat the shea butter above its melting temperature Melt it over low heat for at least 10 minutes. You can also melt the other ingredients first and add the shea butter in the end.
- The melted shea butter is cooled down too slow Pour the melted shea butter into a bowl and place it in the freezer or refrigerator, or over an ice bath, to cool down fast.
- You use unrefined shea butter Use refined to avoid grainy feeling in the end product.
Using Cocoa Butter For Skin: What Does Research Say
Sure, cocoa butter does feel and look nourishing to your body and possibly the solution to all your skin problems, but there is rarely any medical research proving that. However, research done in 2014 states cocoa butter carries the potential to treat skin conditions and offer full protection against premature aging.
This fact helps to give you the peace of mind you need before putting something as controversial as cocoa butter.
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How Is Cocoa Butter Extracted
There are 2 stages at which Cocoa Butter can begin to be processed from the seeds/beans: Before Germination and After Germination. Cacao seeds that are processed before they have begun to germinate will produce ordinary Cocoa Butter, ranging in color from off-white or light beige to pale-yellow. It may retain the tempting scent of chocolate. On the other hand, Cacao beans that are processed after they are allowed to germinate will produce Black Cocoa Butter, which has the brown color of chocolate and the aroma of roasted cacao.
After the Cacao beans have been harvested, fermented, cleaned, dried, and shelled, they are roasted. Next, they are ground into small bits called nibs or into a fine powder, which is added to boiling water and stirred to ensure thorough blending. During the boiling process, the vegetable fat of the Cacao beans rises to the waters surface and is collected into containers. As this oil cools, it solidifies.
Alternatively, the beans can be pressed or cold-pressed. This involves the ground mass of Cacao beans being placed inside a hydraulic press machine that extracts the liquid known as Cacao Oil, from which Cocoa Butter is produced. The solids that remain inside the press machine are referred to as the Cocoa Cake, which is processed to make Cocoa powder. Cocoa Butter that undergoes Degumming, Bleaching, and Deodorizing is known as Refined Cocoa Butter.
Ready To Get Gorgeous Glowing Skin And Hair With Cocoa Butter
As we once knew it, cocoa butter was for desserts. Now, it holds a wide variety of uses to benefit both our hair and skin. A more vibrant appearance and healthier hair can finally be achieved with an ingredient that smells delicious!
Shea and cocoa butter arent the only products we specialize in. Shop our range of products from waxes to dried flowers! Everything you need to make your own skin and hair care recipes is only a click away.
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Cocoa Butter Benefits For The Skin & Hair
07 Apr 2021
Although cocoa butter is one of the main ingredients in chocolate, most people know it â and use it â as a beauty cream. Cocoa butter has legions of loyal users who praise it as a fix-all, wonder treatment for dull skin and hair.In this article, weâll investigate how good a beauty treatment cocoa butter really is.
Weâll explain what cocoa butter is, then relay its benefits for skin and hair. Next, weâll advise you how to incorporate cocoa butter into your beauty regime â and who should avoid it.
Cocoa Butter For Skin Conditions
If youve ever suffered from eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis or know someone who has, you know how beloved the relief is from these conditions. Studies seem to show that cocoa butters anti-inflammatory properties can not only help alleviate the itching & burning associated w/ many skin irritations & rashes, but can also help stop the production of immunoglobulin, which is what triggers the bodys reaction in the 1st place.
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Cocoa Butter Foot Cream
This easy DIY home remedy incorporates the healing properties of cocoa butter and jojoba oil to smooth out dry, cracked heels. Jojoba oil is rich in wax esters and helps repair damaged skin .
You Will Need
- 3 tablespoons of cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
- 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
How To Make
- Melt the cocoa butter on low heat.
- Add jojoba oil and mix well.
- You can add a few drops of peppermint essential oil for a refreshing fragrance.
How To Use
- Apply a generous amount of the cream on both feet and massage gently.
- Do this daily before going to sleep.
Using cocoa butter for skin is simple. You can use it daily for effective results. But some people believe this ingredient can darken skin. How far is this true?
Cocoa Butter For Dry Skin: Benefits And How To Use
Cocoa butter is one of the most luxurious beauty products available. Itll have your skin feeling like silk and smelling like chocolate.
Did you know that you can use cocoa butter for dry skin? You can! In fact, cocoa butter works best for people with dry and damaged skin. It will moisturize your skin to have it feel like new. Its even effective for people dealing with things like eczema and psoriasis.
Cocoa butter is bound to help your dry skin feel better, no matter where you use it on your body. You can use it on your arms, legs, feet, lips and scalp. Some people can even use it on their faces.
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Keep reading to find out how as below I describe all the benefits of cocoa butter for dry skin and exactly how to use it for the best results including whether its good for dry feet, scalp and more.
Contents
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Can Cocoa Butter Reduce The Appearance Of Stretch Marks
Its common for pregnant women to use cocoa butter as part of their skincare routine in the hopes of preventing stretch marks, and this tip is oft-repeated on pregnancy forums and among mom groups. Studies even note cocoa butter is rumored to be an at-home remedy for preventing stretch marks. Unfortunately, however, this isnt a proven benefit of cocoa butter. Researchers have found that home remedies like rubbing cocoa butter onto your stretch marks do not help prevent or fade them.
Next: To learn more about another much-talked-about skincare ingredient, read our article, The Skincare Benefits of Squalane.
How To Use Cocoa Butter On Skin
You will often see products packed with cocoa butter. The good news about these products is that they are edible, making it easier for you to apply on lips. However, most of them also come with additives that may not work the same way as cocoa butter does. Therefore, if you are specifically looking for puberty, either go for cocoa butter in the stick form or DIY one at home to personalise it according to your preference.
Now how you apply it to your skin depends on the amount of time and effort you are willing to devote to your skincare. Sure, simply rubbing a bar of unrefined cocoa butter can be an option, but it is always the best idea to create a specific treatment that can make sure of the full potential of cocoa butter.
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Contraindications For Cocoa Butter
As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, cosmetic butters are for external use only. Cocoa Butter should not be ingested and should not be stored within the reach of children, in case of accidental ingestion. As with all butters, a patch test should be conducted on the inner arm or other generally insensitive area of skin, using a dime size amount of Cocoa Butter to check for sensitivities. An absence of an allergic response within 48 hours indicates that the butter is safe to use. Individuals with allergies to nuts are at a higher risk of developing an allergy to Cocoa Butter and should avoid its use.
Potential side effects of Cocoa Butter include skin irritation, hives, itching, red and bumpy skin rashes, swelling, adult acne, peeling, and blistering that feels like a burn. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the product and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action. To prevent these side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use.
IMPORTANT:
Cocoa Butter Fights The Appearance Of Aging
Collagen is the main protein found in the skin, residing in the connective tissue. It keeps the skin stretchy, healthy, and young. When your skin ages, it is because of a breakdown in collagen.
Your skin can lose collagen and elasticity. This is due to overexposure to the sun, exposure to pollutants, or from getting older.
Collagen Production
But, cocoa butter helps keep the skin young by boosting the production of collagen. It helps to heal damaged cells as well as promote the production of new skin cells.
Over time, you should notice a reduction in wrinkles, dark spots, and swelling.
There havent been many studies done on the effects of cocoa butter. Usually, we rely on anecdotal evidence to know how effective cocoa butter is. In the case of wrinkles, though, we have evidence!
Two studies examined the effects of cocoa butter on wrinkles. The first comes from Skin Research and Technology. The second comes from the Journal of Cosmetic Science. Both studies confirmed that cocoa butter improved collagen and elastin production. These proteins reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Elastin
A loss in elasticity is another reason that your skin begins to age. Elastin is another protein that helps your skin to be elastic and healthy. It allows your skin to stretch and be able to recover after experiencing stress.
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Cocoa Butter Vs Other Moisturizers
Shea Butter
Since they have similar uses and benefits for the skin, it might really come down to preference when it comes to using shea butter versus cocoa butter on your skin. Both are hydrating, time-old ways to treat chapped lips and prevent dryness. You can also use both together to boost their effects, especially if you have eczema or psoriasis.
Two of the differences between these products is their smell and how they can be used. Many people prefer cocoa butters tropical smell over shea butters very mild fragrance. On the other hand, shea butter has a neutral smell that means it blends well with other essential oil scents. Cocoa butter is also used to cook with, while shea butter is used only topically on the skin.
Coconut Oil
These two products have similar hydrating properties, as the benefits of coconut oil for skin mimic those of cocoa butter. However, coconut oil has some added benefits, including antibacterial properties. This might make it more practical for you to keep at home, since it has dozens of different uses in the kitchen and bathroom.
Coconut oil contains fatty acids that keep skin healthy and clean, including capric acid, lauric acid and caprylic acid. It melts when rubbed into the skin or heated, and it has a smooth feel and pleasant smell/taste. Feel free to use both together or for different purposes, such as cocoa butter on your lips but oil on your hair.
Do You Know Why Cocoa Butter Is Great For Your Skin Read On To Find Out About Cocoa Butter And Shea Butter Benefits And How To Incorporate Cocoa Butter And Shea Butter Into Your Daily Routine
Cocoa butter is an oily substance thats extracted from cocoa beans the same cocoa beans that are used to make chocolate! While it may not taste quite as good as chocoScars, stretch marks & remoisturizing: shea and cocoa butter have many benefits.late, cocoa butter has many benefits, from naturally healing dry skin to keeping skin supple. All this makes cocoa butter a great addition to your cosmetic skincare regime, whether youre using a pure cocoa butter lotion or a lotion made with cocoa butter and other ingredients. As always, consult your dermatologist before starting any new skin care regime.
Cocoa butter and shea butter are often combined in beauty products, as they can both be used to provide deep moisturization for a range of different concerns.
What is Cocoa Butter?Cocoa butter is extracted from cacao. Cacao has been grown for over 3,000 years and is native to South American countries. One of the worlds largest suppliers of raw cocoa is Ivory Coast, located in Africa. Cocoa contains flavonoids. Flavonoids are compounds that have antioxidant effects and are thought to have all sorts of additional health benefits. For that reason, cocoa is regularly studied for its positive impact on reducing heart disease, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, and improving skin conditions.
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Sweeten Your Skin Care With Cocoa Butter
When you hear the word cocoa, what is the first thing that pops up in your mind? Chocolate, isnt it? While cocoa butter is, in a way, related to chocolate, it is a completely different product. It is a plant-based fat obtained from the cocoa bean after they are dried, roasted and pressed. Full of fatty acids, this butter that is also used as a food product, benefits the skin in multiple ways. Read on to know more about the ingredient, all the cocoa butter benefits for skin, how to use it, and more.
How To Incorporate Cocoa Butter Into Your Skin Care Routine
Cocoa butter is commonly used for hydrating the skin because of its thick consistency and emollient properties. Although raw cocoa butter is pretty solid, as soon as it comes in contact with the skin, it melts away and gets absorbed into the skin.
Most skin care products use refined cocoa butter, as it is easier to mix with their formulations. If you apply a cocoa butter product on damp skin, it can help in retaining the moisture better. Here are some ways to incorporate cocoa butter into your skincare routine besides using it as a moisturizer:
- Treatment Mask for Hands and Feet
The hands and feet are two parts of our bodies that are most commonly exposed to the environment. As such, they bear most of the damage. If you want to give your hand some extra love and care, cocoa butter can be a great option.
The high fatty acid content of cocoa butter helps in creating a protective skin barrier and locking in moisture. If parts of your hands and feet are excessively dry and cracked, you can treat them with a cocoa butter mask for the extra dose of hydration. With continued use, you will achieve soft and supple hands and feet.
- Dry Patches Treatment
- Dry Patches Treatment
Cocoa butter can also be used to protect the lips from the environment, thanks to its moisture-locking properties. Using cocoa butter lip masks will help in making your lips softer and smoother, and it will also make the lipstick application better.
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How Do I Melt Cocoa Butter
As we discussed above, to yield some benefits, you may need to melt down the butter. Here are two ways you can effectively do so.
1. Use the Double-Boiler Method
The recommended way to melt cocoa butter is using the double-boiler method. Place the butter inside a heat-safe glass bowl on top of a large pot. Fill that pot with water and bring it to a simmer.
As the water heats up, itll gently begin to melt the cocoa butter. Stir with a spatula so it evenly melts. Ensure it is slightly cooled before applying it to your skin or body.
2. Use the Microwave
You can also use your microwave to melt the Cocoa Butter.
Place it in a heat-safe bowl then microwave it for about 30 seconds. Depending on the thickness of the kind you bought, it may take a few more intervals of 10 seconds. Stir with a spoon to ensure its all melted then allow it to cool slightly before incorporating it into your hair or onto your skin.
Using Cocoa Butter For Skin
Youve probably heard of applying cocoa butter for dry skin, but did you know that you can use the Original Solid Jar as much more than just a simple moisturizer? This solid cocoa butter balm is a must have, not only for softening and healing dry skin. Here are some of our favorite cocoa butter for skin uses:
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