Raw cocoa butter is an amazing stand-alone ingredient. It nourishes, moisturizes, heals and beautifies your skin and is incredibly simple to use and prepare! It is one of those simple beauty secrets that no one seems to be talking about.
Hello Everyone,
I have been wanting to tell you about how I use raw cocoa butter and its incredible properties and benefits for a while now. It just seemed too good to keep to myself!
In this article, I will go over how I use raw cocoa butter and the incredible benefits it has for your face and body.
Below, I will also show you how to make my super simple cocoa butter bars.
How I Use Raw Cocoa Butter and What I Love About It
I have been using organic raw cocoa butter on my face for almost two decades and have never come across anything else that I would want to replace it with.
It is just one simple ingredient, and it does so many amazing things!
I find cocoa butter on its own to be a very light, absorbent oil that melts wonderfully into your skin after a shower or bath, or even after coming in from the garden.
My skin always feels nourished after I use it. I mainly use it on my face after my shower. It is the only thing I use on my face. But it also works wonders on your lips, hands, and any other stubborn dry spots. It is a very gentle oil that doesn’t clog your pores.
Cocoa butter stores really well and it can be made into simple bars or used in its raw form.
Skin care is rarely that simple, and the end results are quite fabulous!
Why is Raw Cocoa Butter So Wonderful for Our Skin and Face
The health profile of the raw cocoa bean (raw chocolate) in its purest form is incredibly vast and rich. If you have not looked into the health benefits of unrefined pure cocoa powder in your diet, I would recommend you do.
It is amazingly decadent stuff; I have it every day in my health shake. So it should come as no surprise that the fats and oils (cocoa butter) that come from this plant would have so many remarkable benefits for our face and skin.
Cocoa butter contains high concentrations of polyphenols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and significant amounts of vitamins E and K.
Polyphenols are shown to:
- reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- increase the skin’s elasticity.
- and help with the production of collagen.
- neutralizing free radicals
- reducing inflammation
Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are one of the main components that make cocoa butter so amazingly nourishing and give it its deep moisturizing properties.
Vitamin E
- is a fat-soluble vitamin.
- has powerful antioxidant properties.
- retains moisture and protects the skin from damage and premature aging.
- softens the skin.
- provides mild protection from the sun and environmental stressors.
Vitamin K
- is known to help with wound healing.
- the alleviation of dark spots and stretch marks
- and to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Simple, Wonderful Ways to Use Cocoa Butter
With cocoa butter, the possibilities are endless. You can make simple lotions, body butters, hair masks, tinted lip balms, or simple body bars.
For utter simplicity, you can just cut off a piece from the main block and rub it all over your skin. Or buy it in pre-cut chunks.
I still prefer the softer, smoother homemade bars for my skin. They are so fast and easy to make that it really is not a big deal for me to whip up a batch every few months.
Things to Consider Depending on Your Skin Type
If you are someone who has very oily skin or is prone to acne, proceed with some caution. Just try a small amount of cocoa butter at a time and go from there, especially on your face.
It may, over time, even out the oils in your skin. That was most definitely my experience.
I don’t use anything but straight cocoa butter on my face. I apply it after my shower, and my skin has become balanced and clear.
Consider getting organic, raw, cold-processed cocoa butter if you can. You really can’t beat the real thing. The end results are also going to be much more predictable.
I hope this is helpful. I know it was a real breakthrough for me.
Well, enjoy your cocoa butter creations, and I hope they leave your skin glowing and nourished!
I hope your day is fabulous!
Violet
Simple Cocoa Butter Bars for Your Face and Body
Equipment
- 1 double boiler ( See notes below for alternative.)
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 heavy chopping knife
- 1-2 molds ( See notes below for ideas.)
- 1 large cutting board
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups Raw Cocoa Butter
Instructions
- Step 1:Chop the raw cocoa butter into small chunks with a heavy knife.
- Step 2:Measure 2 ¼ cups of cocoa butter into a measuring cup .
- Step 3:Add water to the bottom of your double boiler, place your melting pot on top, and bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Add chopped cocoa butter to your melting pot, along with any other bits and pieces that you have laying around from before.
- Step 5:When the water has come to a boil, turn the temperature on your stove down to medium and allow the cocoa butter to slowly melt.
- Step 6:Take out your desired molds and place them on a heatproof mat. (See below for mold ideas.)
- Step 7:Once the cocoa butter has completely melted, remove the top melting pot from the double boiler.
- Step 8:Rub the bottom of the melting pot with a dry tea towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Step 9:Slowly pour the melted cocoa butter into your molds.
- Step 10:Place the molds in the fridge. Leave for 8–10 hours, or overnight, to fully set.
- Step 11:Once the cocoa butter has set completely, gently remove the bars from the molds. They can be stored in a decorative tin or jar, preferably in a cool, dry place. (Mine are in the bathroom closet.)
