Let’s agree, the first thing the word ‘cocoa’ brings to our mind is rich melting chocolate, brownies, and ice-creams. Although, we gorge on cocoa butter-based foods quite often, little did we know, that this incredibly tasty ingredient is a staple in skin and beauty products too. Be it for removing dark circles, vanishing stretch marks or healing skin inflammation, the rich cocoa butter does it all.

Cocoa butter is basically an edible vegetable fat harnessed from the cocoa beans that grow in the form of pods in the cacao tree. Though the cacao tree which goes by the botanical name Theobroma cacao is native to the Amazon basin, it is cultivated throughout the world. To obtain the cocoa butter from the cocoa seeds, the pods are collected from the tree. These are then dried, stripped and cold-pressed to separate the full-fat cocoa butter from the cocoa solids i.e. cocoa powder. It is this cocoa butter that is used for formulating several cosmetic and confectionery products.

Famed for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin, cocoa butter imbued skincare products form a protective barrier around the skin and help in retaining moisture. Having a melting point lower than the body temperature, cocoa butter infused lotions, moisturisers, creams, and body butters easily glide on to the skin, preventing the appearance of blemishes and marks and it also retains the natural moisture in dry, sensitive skin.

Imbued with bioactive components like oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and healthful nutrients like Vitamin E and K, phytosterols and Omega-3 and Omega-6, this butter obtained from cocoa bean is blessed with umpteen health and skin benefits and is extensively used for conjuring a wide range of cosmetic and beauty care products. Be it moisturisers, massage oils, balms, lotions, creams, lip balms, lipsticks, soaps, shampoos, and other hair care products, and ointments or salves., this beauty-enhancing ingredient has multifaceted benefits and uses.

If you happen to suffer from wrinkled skin, pigmentation, or chapped lips, this article brings forth a curated list of incredible benefits of cocoa butter-based skincare essentials:

Amazing Benefits Of Cocoa Butter Towards Skin and Hair

Delays Signs Of Ageing

Imbued with antioxidants and polyphenols, cocoa butter-based skin creams and lotions prevent drying of the skin by keeping it soft and supple. The rejuvenating properties of this butter, not only boost cell regeneration but also prevent and treat the various signs of ageing like wrinkles, dark spots, pigmentation, blemishes etc. By boosting collagen formation, it also prevents saggy skin and bestows a radiant, youthful glow to the face. Also Read: 5 Ways To Build Basic Beauty Regimen For Aging Skin

Prevents Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can be really annoying to lose and often end up making one feel conscious. The abundance of antioxidants and fatty acids in cocoa butter-based massage oils and salves offers a magical remedy for these stubborn stretch marks and makes the skin spotless and scar-free. 

Remedies Chapped Lips

The use of cocoa butter in lip balms, lip glosses, and lipsticks are a boon for women having year-round dry chapped lips. The potent moisturising properties of cocoa butter acts as an emollient and forms a protective layer on the lips. It not only keeps the lips moist and hydrated abut also prevents lip bleeding and mouth sores. Being edible, one can enjoy the benefits of cocoa-based lip essentials sans any side effects. Also Read: Lip Care In Winter: Top 15 Lip Balms For Soft And Shiny Lips

Treats Inflammations

Having a high concentration of vitamin E and soothing, moisturising properties, Cocoa butter-based ointments, and salves hold high significance in soothing inflamed skin. Infused with potent antioxidants, it is a remedy for skin infections and allergies, giving away smooth supple skin. Even shaving creams containing this herbal butter not only keeps the skin smooth but also helps in healing small nicks and cuts during the shave. 

Enhances Hair Growth

Apart from boosting skin health, the use of cocoa butter in shampoos, oils, serums and hair masks are extremely beneficial in improving blood circulation in the scalp and promoting hair growth. Keeping the scalp nourished and moisturised, cocoa butter-based hair products also prevents drying and flaking of the scalp and hence treating and preventing dandruff. Regular use of cocoa butter-based hair products offer smoother, softer and shinier hair.

With the cool winter winds making your skin dry and dehydrated, people are always in the lookout for moisturizing lotions and creams to prevent chapped and parched skin. Well, cocoa butter is one such ingredient that is an all-rounder for the skin. Hence, we bring you a simple, easy-to-do DIY recipe of cocoa imbued body butter for that extra care and nourishment during the chilling winter days.

Cocoa- Jojoba Moisturizing Body Butter

Ingredients:

½ cup cocoa butter

2-3 tbsp almond oil

½ cup coconut oil

4-5 drops of jojoba essential oil

2 tsp of Vitamin C serum

Method:

Melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a double boiler.

Add the almond oil and essential oils into it and keep it inside the freezer for 5-6 minutes.

Use a mixer to whip the cream till it becomes frothy.

Store it in an airtight jar to use for future use.

How It Works:

Imbued with fatty acids, cocoa butter holds high significance for their hydrating and nourishing properties to lock in the skin moisture. Both almond and coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties, which helps prevent skin infections whereas jojoba essential oil not only imparts an invigorating smell to the body butter but also prevents parched skin. The addition of vitamin C serum arrests the various signs of ageing and makes your skin youthful and radiant.