As you already know, taking care of your face is very important. If you don’t know how to take care of your face, many problems may arise, such as wrinkles and fine lines. The way to prevent these problems is by using the right products.
One such product is cocoa butter. The benefits of this product are plentiful: it heals damaged skin, moisturizes dry patches, helps to protect skin from sun damage, and it even protects against signs of aging like wrinkles.
If you want to keep your skin healthy and vibrant, read on to know more about using cocoa butter on your face.
What Is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is an edible fat extracted from cocoa beans. It is used in skincare products, food, and pharmaceuticals. Cocoa butter is solid at room temperature but melts at a body or higher temperature.
This natural product contains fatty acids that are beneficial for the body, such as lauric acid and palmitic acid. It also contains some important nutrients essential for skin health.
When applied topically, cocoa butter penetrates the skin’s surface quickly and deeply to hydrate the skin. It can even help reduce wrinkles, protect damaged skin, and soothe irritated skin sometimes.
That makes it an ideal moisturizer to keep your skin soft and smooth looking even in the winter when your skin tends to become dryer than normal.
Benefits of Cocoa Butter On Face
Here are some ways cocoa butter can help you maintain a healthy and beautiful complexion.
1. It Moisturizes the Skin
Cocoa butter is a great natural moisturizer. The oils in cocoa butter are beneficial to all skin types, so whether you have oily, dry, normal, or combination skin, cocoa butter can help moisturize your skin.
You can also mix cocoa butter with other types of moisturizing products, but it’s especially helpful in products that have a creamy, white base, like lotions and creams.
2. Fights Signs of Aging
Another benefit of using cocoa butter on your face is that it helps make the skin elastic and soft, which can make your skin appear more youthful and supple.
The high fatty acid content of cocoa butter makes it effective in slowing down the process of premature skin aging. Plus it is an effective emollient that can soften rough skin, making it smooth and supple.
3. Protects Skin from Sun Damage
Another benefit offered by cocoa butter is that it can protect the skin from harmful UV rays, helping to prevent damage caused by exposure to these rays. It does this by absorbing UV rays and preventing them from penetrating through.
Cocoa butter can also help soothe burns on the skin, which is important for those who are prone to sunburns because of an excessive amount of sun exposure.
4. It Absorbs Easily
Cocoa butter’s melting point falls between 35 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, which means it melts at body temperature.
This makes it an effective moisturizer because it absorbs easily when rubbed into the skin and then quickly hardens to form a protective layer on top of the skin.
5. Soothes Dry Lips
You can use cocoa butter on dry, irritated lips. It is effective against chapped lips and even helps repair cracked lips so they aren’t so painful or dry anymore.
So if you want to avoid the chemicals that are in commercial lip balms, then using natural ingredients like cocoa butter is the way to go.
6. Heals Damaged Skin
Stick with organic products like cocoa butter if you have damaged skin. Cocoa butter is a fantastic ingredient for helping your skin look great. It can moisturize your skin, as well as provide it with various nutrients to help it heal faster.
It can also help soften scars on your face or on other parts of your body that have experienced some type of trauma or injury
7. Natural Remedy for Skin Conditions
Cocoa butter is a good ingredient to use for skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. You can use it in its natural form or use it with your face cream.
Cocoa butter is also a great remedy for acne because it has several qualities that help to fight against inflammation and redness caused by acne. You can use it alone, but for best results, use cocoa butter with other acne treatments.
How to Use Cocoa Butter on the Face
Face scrub
A cocoa butter face scrub is excellent because, unlike most commercial face scrubs, it will help remove dead skin cells while moisturizing your skin. A cocoa butter face scrub can also help to reduce acne breakouts and blackheads.
Steps:
- Combine 3 tbsps of melted cocoa butter with 1 tbsp of olive oil and ½ cup of sugar in a bowl.
- Stir well to create a thick, but spreadable consistency. If the scrub is too thick, it won’t spread across your face easily.
- Massage this gently on your face and neck area to exfoliate dead skin cells and dirt that may have accumulated during the day.
- Allow it to dry on your skin for ten minutes before washing it off with warm water and a gentle cleanser.
- Pat your skin dry with a clean towel, then transfer the scrub to an airtight container for later use.
- The mixture can be stored at room temperature for up to one month.
Face cream
A cocoa butter face cream is extremely moisturizing and makes a good natural alternative to petroleum-based products like vaseline and baby oil.
Steps:
- Melt the cocoa butter in a saucepan, over low heat (stir occasionally).
- Remove from heat once melted, then pour the cocoa butter into a container.
- Add a few drops of lavender oil (or any other essential oil) and allow it to cool.
- Combine the ingredients with a spoon or spatula before applying the cream to your face.
- Massage gently into your face for about five minutes. This will allow the cocoa butter to soak into your skin and soften any acne or other blemishes you may have.
- Leave on your face as you would with your regular face cream.
DIY lip balm
Cocoa butter is a great ingredient for homemade lip balms. It is a natural moisturizer and the basis for many of the most popular commercial lip balms and lipsticks.
Steps:
- Measure 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsps of castor oil, then mix in a small container until it’s smooth.
- Melt your cocoa butter just until it’s dissolved. You don’t want it to thin because then you’ll have trouble getting it into the containers later on.
- Mix the melted cocoa butter with the liquid mixture from step 1. Stir vigorously until everything is smooth and well blended.
- Pour the mixture into a lip balm container and allow it to harden.
- Apply the lip balm directly to your lips for soft lips.
Cocoa Butter vs. Cacao Butter
Cocoa butter and cacao butter are both popular and similar skincare ingredients, so what is the difference between them?
Cacao butter is a natural fat extracted from the cacao bean. It’s solid at room temperature and melts at body temperature. Manufacturers often use it in chocolate production and cosmetics to keep them solid at room temperature and to add a smooth texture.
Meanwhile, cocoa butter is the same thing, except it has been deodorized and refined to remove its chocolate flavor and smell. Cacao butter is cold-pressed, unrefined, and retains most of its nutrients and smell.
These two kinds of butter have the same chemical structure and consist of triglycerides, fatty acids, and natural waxes. They can be used interchangeably, although some manufacturers may prefer one over the other for their reasons.
Cocoa Butter Side Effects
There are some side effects associated with using cocoa butter, although they tend to vary depending on the form you’re using it in. For example, some people experience irritations or allergic reactions when applying products containing cocoa butter to their faces.
If you suspect you have developed an allergy to cocoa butter, stop using the product immediately and speak with your doctor or dermatologist about your symptoms.
Additionally, if you’re using cocoa butter to treat your acne, it will probably take several weeks or longer before you see any improvement in your condition.
In extreme cases, acne may get worse before it improves as the fatty acids in cocoa butter help break down blackheads and whiteheads, which can make acne temporarily worse before clearing up completely.
What Are Some Alternatives to Cocoa Butter?
Almond Butter: Almond butter is one of the healthier alternatives to cocoa butter. It does not contain any preservatives or colorings and comprises about 50% unsaturated fat. It also contains Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, making it great for moisturizing skin.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is another healthy alternative to cocoa butter. It also contains Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which makes it great for moisturizing skin.
Shea butter: Shea butter is another natural vegetable fat extracted from the kernels of the African Shea tree. It is known for its moisturizing properties and also contains vitamin E.
FAQs
How often should you use cocoa butter on your face?
Twice a day. The best way to make sure your face gets the right amount of cocoa butter is by using it twice a day; once in the morning and once at night.
You can apply the pure organic form on your face and you can also find it in many face creams, which makes it much better if you aren’t comfortable with its chocolate-like scent.
Is cocoa butter a good moisturizer?
Yes, it is. Cocoa butter is a highly effective, natural moisturizer that can have a significant impact on the skin.
It can help reduce the appearance of sunspots and skin discoloration, while also preventing or minimizing wrinkles. Cocoa butter is also an excellent choice for sensitive skin because it doesn’t contain fragrances or chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Can you apply cocoa butter to your face at night?
Yes, you can. Cocoa butter works better at night and can help repair damaged skin tissues by providing moisture and nutrients to your face overnight.
When applying cocoa butter at night, make sure to apply it on damp skin after having a warm shower or taking a warm bath. Experts also recommended that you apply the cocoa butter with your fingertips in small circular motions for full absorption.
Bottomline
Cocoa butter is a healthy fat that moisturizes and nourishes the skin. There are several benefits to using cocoa butter on your face, including reduced signs of aging and increased hydration.
To conclude, cocoa butter is an excellent natural moisturizer that will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. And since it’s made from pure organic beans, be rest assured that you are getting a top-of-the-line ingredient for your skin.
Thanks for reading.
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