Skincare Benefits of Cocoa Butter (Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter)

Also known as cocoa butter, theobroma cacao seed butter is a popular ingredient which is used across a wide range of skincare products - from lotions to moisturisers, hand creams, and more. 

In this blog post we dive into the benefits of this powerhouse ingredient, considering how it is used in skincare products and how it supports the hydration and condition of the skin all year round. 

What Is Cocoa Butter?

Cocoa butter is a type of fat which is derived from cocoa beans - with the cocoa process ultimately separating the fat for the skincare market and the cocoa powder which is used to make desserts and add flavour to cooking. As well as providing relief to the skin and soothing the surface of the skin as a moisturising ingredient, theobroma cacao seed butter is also popular for the sweet smell it gives off when used in products. 

How Is Cocoa Butter Used in the Skincare Industry?

Cocoa butter has a high fat content, and so it’s presentation in creams and other beauty products is rich, thick, and luxurious. In the skincare industry it is considered a rich emollient which can moisturise and provide a soft and supple external barrier to even the driest skin, making it one of the key ingredients particularly in body lotions and full body moisturisers.

Cocoa butter has also been linked in the past to a delay in skin damage as a result of aging, keeping the skin as supple and soft as possible for longer. This, combined with the research which suggests cocoa butter as an ingredient could prevent and help to treat some skin diseases, makes products with cocoa butter more than simple moisturisers - it makes them effective skincare tools.  

The Benefits of Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is considered one of the key ingredients for skincare moisturisers, not only because it is rich and offers a hydrating barrier for the skin, but because it has also been linked in the past with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic properties. All of these are strong indicators of a high quality skincare product and can be used all over the body - including the lips - thanks to the simple fact that cocoa butter is edible and so can be ingested safely. 

Other benefits of this popular ingredient include:

• It leaves the skin feeling soft, supple, and hydrated

• Many users state that it leaves their skin looking and feeling healthier (though the research is unfounded and needs more work)

• It is dense and thick, providing the skin with a watertight barrier to protect against moisture loss

• It is rich in natural plant proteins, making it a great ingredient for those who want to avoid manmade ingredients and keep their skincare routine as natural as possible

• It can help to protect against damage from the sun’s rays (though it is important to always wear SPF alongside your cocoa butter moisturiser and other products)

• It smells luxurious and sweet

• It can help to heal rashes left by eczema and dermatitis

• It is soothing on even the driest patches of skin

• It’s packed full of antioxidants which help to fight free-radical damage. This is what helps your skin to stay healthy and youthful

Implementing Cocoa Butter Into Your Skincare Routine

If you haven’t already tried cocoa butter (theobroma cacao seed butter) products then the options on the market are wide ranging, from lip balms to moisturising lotion and everything in between. Like with any new ingredient, start with small changes - perhaps a hand cream - to see how your skin reacts to cocoa butter before overhauling your whole routine. 

While cocoa butter can block pores if used in thick doses (one reason why it is not known for being used in face creams), for most users this ingredient provides a sweet and rich hit to their skincare routine which not only softens the skin but helps to protect it from the wear and tear of daily life and pollutants. Factor a cocoa butter based lotion into your routine after a shower or a bath to seal moisture into your body and look for hand creams and lip balms which use this ingredient to add an extra hit of moisturisation and protection. 

Finally, it’s worth noting that cocoa butter is 100% vegan and presents the skin with a boost of all-natural anti-oxidants.