How to Use Cocoa Butter for Skin (Ingredients Included)

Cocoa butter is one of the most known vegan butter, which has gained popularity in the skincare circle. Individuals from all walks of life believe in the power of nature and how natural products are the best to swear by the benefits of cocoa butter for the skin.

Whether treating dry patches on your body or giving your facial skin a plump and hydrated look, cocoa butter can serve both of these purposes. Not only that,  with some homemade DIY recipes, you can make the use of cocoa butter more exciting and fun as well.

Where Does Cocoa Butter Come From - The Origins of Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is the fat extracted from the seed present in the cacao tree's fruit. The cacao tree is commonly grown in the tropical regions of the world, especially those native to Africa.

We all know the cacao tree because of how we obtain cocoa powder and eventually a decadent dessert ingredient like chocolate from it. But what we do not know that commonly is that the same tree is also the source behind the amazing cocoa butter and its healing properties.

The seeds from the fruit of the cacao, or the cocoa tree as it is more commonly known, are basically removed from the fruit and allowed to dry in the open air. Once they have dried and lost more than 90% of their moisture, they are roasted in a specially designed oven to dehydrate them further.

After which the seeds are then cracked open and the kernel inside is put through the extraction process, which gives us cocoa butter.

After this, the remains of the shell are then ground into a fine powder, that we know as cocoa powder. This cocoa powder is then used to make chocolate and other interesting desserts.

Ingredients In Cocoa Butter That Make It Great for Skin

We will now look at some of the naturally occurring ingredients present in cocoa butter that are the reason behind why it is so beneficial and great to be used on the facial and body skin alike.

Oleic Acid

Oleic acid is one of the most beneficial fatty acids that are present in cocoa butter. It is known in the beauty and skincare industry because of how well it targets dehydrated skin especially loss of hydration caused because of skin aging.

One of its most amazing qualities is how well it penetrates the upper layers of the skin right down to the last layer, to replenish moisture and bring back the skin's natural elasticity. Because of the presence of oleic acid, cocoa butter also has an anti-inflammatory nature which makes it the butter of choice for reducing skin redness and irritation caused by different factors.

Choline

Choline is a naturally occurring stabilized Orthosilicic acid that is present in cocoa butter. It is known for its property of helping restore skin’s natural firmness and reducing fine lines caused due to aging and other environmental stressors. It is also loved for its ability to help strengthen hair and nails and reduce hair brittleness.

Research has proven that choline helps in increasing the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, which of course translates as reduced signs of aging as well as more plump and elastic skin that gives you a more youthful look.

Vitamin K

Another reason why natural cocoa butter for the skin, is the preferred natural skin care product, is because of the presence of vitamin K. Vitamin K present in cocoa butter imparts a multitude of benefits to the skin.

Cocoa butter harnesses its healing properties from the presence of vitamin K. The use of cocoa butter on the skin helps in the healing of cuts and bruises as well as speeding up skin cell renewal. Vitamin K also helps prevent the loss of collagen in facial skin which of course means that your facial skin will retain its natural firmness and will age at a reduced rate.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the most sought-after antioxidants in the skincare and beauty industry. Its natural presence in cocoa butter makes it the best free-radical fighting moisturizer.

The presence of vitamin E in cocoa butter helps fight the damage caused by UV rays of the sun and protects against further sun damage. Its free-radical fighting properties also help prevent oxidative damage to the skin. Its antioxidant properties are fruitful in imparting a natural glow to the skin.

Vitamin D2

Vitamin D2 is a derivative of vitamin D. In nature, vitamin D2 is only present in plants and their derived products like cocoa butter. The trace presence of vitamin D2 in cocoa butter is more than enough in helping prevent signs of aging. It helps target fine lines and hyperpigmentation caused due to sun damage.

Vitamin D2 also helps in treating eczema and dry skin patches, and in restoring hydrated skin with a smooth and plump texture.

How To Use Cocoa Butter for Face Skin?

We will now explore the different ways we can use cocoa butter for your skin, to enjoy the maximum benefits of cocoa butter.

Pure Cocoa Butter as Facial Moisturizer

The most accessible way of using cocoa butter for the face is as a direct moisturizer. As cocoa butter has a solid yet malleable texture at room temperature, you can always use it after making it more spreadable with your fingers.

Wash your face thoroughly with a good cleanser and pat dry with a face towel. After which take a small amount of 100% pure and organic cocoa butter in between your fingers and rub it slightly to melt it. Once it has started melting,  apply it to your face and neck in an upward motion till fully absorbed.

DIY Cocoa Butter Moisturizer/Body Butter

As pure cocoa butter is solid at room temperature, not only does it become slightly difficult to use it as a facial or body moisturizer but traveling with it also becomes a hassle at times. To overcome this, we recommend that you follow our homemade cocoa body butter recipe. It is not only easy and fun to make but is also very versatile. You can use this body butter as a facial moisturizer as well and the best part is that it is easy to carry and travel with because it can be stored in a jar.

Cocoa Butter Enriched Lotion

The use of cocoa butter lotion, especially one that is homemade is another way in which you can enjoy the great benefits that cocoa butter provides, for your facial and body skin.

With many commercially produced cocoa butter enriched lotion options available at the drugstore and skincare kiosks, we still recommend that you use a DIY recipe and make it at home to ensure 100% purity of the cocoa butter that is being used. We have some easy-to-follow DIY recipes that you can use to make your own cocoa butter enriched lotion and other skincare items that are safe to use for both face and body.

Are There Any Side Effects of Cocoa Butter for Skin?

Just like with any other skincare product or ingredient, whether natural or processed, we suggest that you always do a patch test before incorporating cocoa butter as a part of your skincare regime.

It is also pertinent to note that due to its rich and luxurious texture as well as the presence of different fatty acids, cocoa butter can clog your pores, hence we recommend that it is used moderately especially on the face. In case you have acne-prone or oily skin, you should strictly monitor the amount of cocoa butter that you are using.

Conclusion

Natural ingredients that too with skincare benefits are a gift of nature like no other. Not only does cocoa butter have amazingly beneficial ingredients for this skin, but with homemade and easy DIY recipes you can harness its true potential without worrying about the addition of harmful man-made chemicals and substances.

We recommend that before using cocoa butter directly on your face or body, you contact your dermatologist and conduct a patch test. After the patch test please wait at least 24 hours before enjoying the luxurious experience of cocoa butter.