Cocoa Butter Benefits

Cocoa Butter Benefits 

Cocoa butter is a type of vegetable fat that comes from cocoa beans.
Manufacturers extract cocoa butter from the beans by fermenting, drying, roasting, and then pressing them. The remaining portion turns into cocoa powder. The velvety texture, pleasant fragrance and moisturizing properties of cocoa butter have made it a popular ingredient in products for the skin, such as soaps and lotions. This quality, coupled with natural ​antioxidants, prevents rancidity, giving it a storage life of two to five years.

Cocoa has been used in medicine for around 3,000 years. It was a favorite ingredient of the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. Researchers have discovered that compounds called phytochemicals in cocoa might help keep both your body and skin healthy.

Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids. These fats may help form a protective layer on the skin, preventing moisture from escaping, and stopping the skin from drying out, which is why it’s often praised for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin. Because cocoa butter is rich in phytochemicals it may improve blood flow to the skin and slow aging by protecting against damage from the sun's UV rays. Cocoa butter is often used to smooth scars and wrinkles. It is believed cocoa butter creams and lotions put on during and after pregnancy can be used to prevent and minimize stretch marks. It may also heal rashes from skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. Cocoa butter heals the skin from the inside out helping to prevent dryness and peeling. Pure cocoa butter can be rubbed on burns and infections to help the skin replenish. Cocoa butter is edible and is often used in lip balms. It can do wonders to your lips as it can keep them hydrated, soft and supple for a long period of time. Cocoa adds a protective hydrating layer to lips, protecting them from extreme temperatures and indoor heat that can leave your lips dried out.

Mixing cocoa butter with other beneficial oils like olive oil, avocado oil and argan oil add extra protection as well as soften the hardness of cocoa butter. Cocoa butter mixed with these oils create a finished product that can be easily spread onto, and be readily absorbed, into your skin with a consistency that will be of a soft and creamy texture.

Cocoa butter and Shea Butter

Cocoa butter and Shea butter have similar benefits for the skin. Both are hydrating, anti-aging, treat rashes and heal skin. One difference between the two is smell. Many people prefer cocoa butter's tropical smell over shea butter's neutral smell. Because of shea butter's mild scent it blends well with other essential oil scents. Using both butters together will boost the effects especially if you have psoriasis or eczema. You can get Cocoa Shea butter at ​livitybykushites.