This scrumptious-sounding (and smelling) ingredient may immediately bring to mind chocolate thanks to its association with cocoa.
But it actually offers much,muchmore than an appealing familial relation.
Keep reading to learn more about cocoa butter for skin, including how best to reap its benefits.
Liz DeSousa for Byrdie
Meet the Experts
What Is Cocoa Butter?
The cocoa pod is a large, gourd-shaped fruit; inside the pod are 30 to 40 cocoa seeds.
That means a tub of the good stuff can go a long way in caring for your skin.
How often you might use it:As much as you want.
Creamy yellow, unrefined cocoa butter is simply cocoa butter in its rawest form.
It’s easy to find, and all of the above-mentioned skincare benefits naturally come with the unrefined product.
However, it smells pretty strongly of chocolate, which can be divisive.
Some cosmetics manufacturers prefer not to use it because it masks the scents of the fragrances they add.
Plus, pre-made products often have other nutrients that cocoa butter might not provide alone.
“Caution should be exercised if you’reacne-prone, as this can clog pores,” Mudgil says.
“Dont put it on your face if you break out,” adds MacGregor.
Both products have a satisfyingly thick consistency and skin-loving, moisturizing properties.
The main difference comes down to composition.
(Also, it smells like chocolate.)
You also can buy raw cocoa butter in large batches online if you prefer to make your own products.
“Cocoa butter products should be gentle on the skin but also thick and hydrating,” says Greenfield.
Cocoa butter is rather hard at lower temperatures.
The way you use it is the same, though.
Adding brown sugar to its melted state creates a scrub that keeps the skin exfoliatedandhydrated.
If you’re prone to acne, proceed with caution when using cocoa butter as it can clog pores.
No studies have proven the benefits of cocoa butter in skincare; most of the benefits are anecdotal.
Yes, cocoa butter can help with the appearance of scars less than two years old.
Yes, cocoa butter can be applied to the face and lips.
2014;6(8):3202-3213. doi:10.3390/nu6083202
