Cocoa Butter

Properties and Benefits

Cocoa butter is an excellent emollient. Emollients are substances that are known to soften and soothe the skin. Cocoa butter therefore, is used to correct dryness and scaling of the skin.

Cocoa butter contains natural antioxidants – these are substances that can work against the cell-damaging effects of free radicals. The use of cocoa butter therefore, helps protect the skin and retain moisture.

Uses

Cocoa butter is popularly used in healing sunburns, scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, and for softening and soothing rough dry skin. It is a common ingredient in lip balms, body butters, lotions, creams, salves, soaps, lotion bars, belly balms for pregnant woment, bath bombs, hair conditioner, and in almost any body care and skin care product.

History and Cultural Aspects

Cocoa butter was first used by the South American Indians before 1000 B.C. The Mayan and Aztec civilizations are known to be the widest users of chocolate. In 1828, a scientist, Conrad Von Houten, invented the cocoa press, which extracted a more genuine chocolate.

Origin

Cocoa butter is extracted from the seed kernels of the cacao tree. The cacao tree is native to Africa, India, and South America. The cocoa beans are exported to Europe and North America, where cocoa butter is produced.

Aroma

Cocoa butter has a sumptuous smell that is similar to chocolate. It adds a perfect aroma to body care products.

Consistency

Cocoa butter has a rich, creamy and thick consistency, which melts at body temperature.

Recipes

Cocoa Butter Skin Lotion for Dry Skin

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 20 grams unscented cocoa butter, 18 grams sesame oil, 18 grams extra virgin olive oil, 18 grams avocado oil, 1 drop clary sage essential oil, 2 drops lavender essential oil, 1 drop rose essential oil, 1 drop geranium essential oil.

In a heat proof bowl, place cocoa butter, sesame oil, olive oil and avocado oil in a heat proof bowl. Heat in a double boiler until the cocoa butter is melted. Remove from heat. Add the essential oils and blend well until all the essential oils are incorporated.

Transfer into clean jars, cap and store in a warm place. If skin lotion becomes solidify (especially in cool climates), warm on warm water.

Cocoa Butter Massage Bars

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 4 ounces of beeswax, 4 ounces of cocoa butter, 4 ounces of fractionated coconut oil, 1 ounce blend of lavender, eucalyptus and patchouli essential oils (or any other essential oils according to your preference).

In a heat proof bowl, place the beeswax and heat in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat. Add cocoa butter and stir with a wooden stick until the butter is melted (you may need to use a double boiler to completely melt the cocoa butter). Add the essential oils and blend well until all the essential oils are incorporated.

Spoon the soap mixture into the moulds and leave to harden overnight. The following day, place the bars in the freezer for an hour or two before removing them and turning them out of their moulds. Leave on a wire rack for 1 - 2 weeks to harden further.

Lotion Bars

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 3 oz. beeswax, 3 oz. cocoa butter, 3 oz. sunflower oil (you may substitute any of your favorite base oil such as sweet almond, jojoba, grape seed, etc), a teaspoon of essential oils (use any blend according to your preference)

In a heat proof bowl, place the beeswax and heat in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat. Add cocoa butter and stir with a wooden stick until the butter is melted (you may need to use a double boiler to completely melt the cocoa butter). Add sunflower until completely mixed. Add the essential oils and blend well until all the essential oils are incorporated.

Spoon the soap mixture into the moulds and leave to harden overnight. The following day, place the soaps in the freezer for an hour or two before removing them and turning them out of their moulds. Leave on a wire rack for 1 - 2 weeks to harden further.

Cocoa Butter Bath Melts

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 50g cocoa butter, 25g part sweet almond oil, a teaspoon of essential oils (use any blend according to your preference), food or soap dye (use any color according to your preference).

In a heat proof bowl, place the cocoa butter and heat in a double boiler until melted. Add sweet almond oil until completely mixed. Add the essential oils and soap dye. Blend well until all the essential oils are incorporated and mixture becomes thick.

Spoon the soap mixture into the moulds and leave to harden overnight. The following day, place the soaps in the freezer for an hour or two before removing them and turning them out of their moulds. Leave on a wire rack for 1 - 2 weeks to harden further.

Cocoa Butter Hair Cream

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 1oz sweet almond oil, 2oz jojoba oil, 8oz cocoa butter, a teaspoon of essential oils (use any blend according to your preference).

In a heat proof bowl, place the cocoa butter and heat in a double boiler until melted. Add sweet almond oil until completely mixed. Add the essential oils and mix until oils are thoroughly incorporated.

Pour into clean jars, cap and store. To use, melt a small amount of hair cream in your palms and use on wet or dry hair.

Cocoa Butter Hair Moisturizing Lotion

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 6 oz distilled water, ½ oz shea butter, ½ oz cocoa butter, ½ oz olive oil, ½ oz avocado oil, ½ oz jojoba, ½ oz emulsifying wax, a few drops of vitamin C, ½ tsp Vitamin E, a teaspoon of essential oils (use any blend according to your preference).

In a heat proof bowl, place the shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, avoicado oil, jojoba and emulsifying wax. Heat in a double boiler until the fats are completely melted. Remove from heat and add vitamin E and essential oils.

In a separate bowl, combine warm water and vitamin C. Slowly pour water mixture to the oil mixture and blend for 2 minutes, then allow mixture to rest for 5 minutes. Repeat blending process three times until mixture becomes thick and creamy. Pour hair moisturizer in a clean bottle.