Cocoa butter is obtained by squeezing the grated fruits of the chocolate tree (cocoa), which is considered to be native to South America.
The Aztecs used the healing properties of cocoa butter for the face and body. Now it is used in the food industry - as a basis for the production of chocolate and a flavoring additive in confectionery products, in the pharmaceutical industry - as a base for the production of suppositories and ointments with medicinal properties, as well as in cosmetology.
Cocoa butter can be found on the labels of many face and body products - creams, masks, lotions and wraps. It is characterized by tonic, healing and rejuvenating qualities, due to which cocoa butter has found special use in anti-aging face masks and moisturizers for the skin.
Cocoa butter is a hard oil (batter) and has a brittle, hard, oily consistency. The aroma is pleasant, sweetish. The color is yellow-brown, turning white when rancid.
Important clarification
I want to immediately clarify that in this text we will talk specifically about oil. Products such as a face mask made from cocoa powder will not be described here, since this is a completely different product. The oil is squeezed out of the grated cocoa on hydraulic presses during the industrial processing of cocoa beans, while the powder is the dried and ground cake that remains after this process. A cocoa face mask will bring less benefits than using oil, especially since it is quite inexpensive.
Properties and composition
Cocoa butter is hard and crumbles easily, and its color is yellowish-white. The composition includes di- and triglycerides, or, to put it simply, natural fats, as well as a number of fatty acids, among which the largest percentage is oleic and stearic. Cocoa butter also contains caffeine, xanthine and tannins, thanks to which it acquires its beneficial properties from a cosmetology point of view - it restores skin tone and promotes better healing. This product is good for treating minor burns and is often added to lip balms because it effectively relieves dryness.
There are practically no vitamins in cocoa butter (only minor traces), but there are no harmful trans fats. Moreover, when the product is taken orally, monounsaturated oleic acid, of which it contains one third, reduces cholesterol levels in the body. Of course, I do not encourage eating cosmetic cocoa butter, but this fact can be considered an argument in favor of natural chocolate.
How to obtain ether from chocolate tree
The chocolate tree is native to South Africa, but its cultivation has spread throughout the world to produce valuable bitter products. To create chocolate essential oil, only cocoa beans or seeds are used, which are widely used in cosmetology, cooking and medicine.
Cocoa butter is extracted from the seeds of the chocolate tree.
The plant substrate is obtained by a complex method of hot pressing the beans. As a result of this process, two finished products are obtained from cocoa beans: cocoa powder and butter. Chocolate essence contains a large number of nutrients, including a complex of essential vitamins and beneficial fatty acids for the skin.
The use of cocoa butter on the skin, with its dense texture, pleasant aroma and brownish-white tint, has a gentle effect on the skin, cleansing it, moisturizing it and nourishing it with useful substances. The product hardens at temperatures below +32 °C, so it is best to store it in the refrigerator or other dark and cool place.
Indications
Oil is indicated in the following cases:
- Dry, flaky, chapped skin.
- Minor damage - scratches, burn marks, small scars.
- Spots left on the face after pimples and acne.
- Protection from the aggressive effects of ultraviolet rays in summer.
If you don't tolerate frost well, your lips crack and dry, your face burns unpleasantly - cocoa butter will help you cope with this. The product is also used to treat coughs and colds.
There are few contraindications: allergy to cocoa products; insomnia and nervous excitability (when taken orally).
Benefits and harms
Cocoa butter is used for a relaxing massage. This substance has a positive effect on the nervous system, helps get rid of stress and insomnia.
The fatty acids in the composition make this product a good remedy for skin regeneration, and it is recommended for everyone, even children. Peeling, chapping, marks from scratches, small burns - all this goes away faster, the skin becomes smooth, pleasant to the touch and soft. The burning sensation, itching and redness disappear after application.
Dry, split ends, damaged hair can also be treated with this product. It nourishes well and restores hair structure. Cocoa butter heated in a water bath mixed with burdock and vitamins is rubbed into the roots.
In summer, the product is good to use to protect against aggressive ultraviolet radiation. The skin does not dry out with it and retains youth and elasticity longer.
Like many other natural substances, this remedy can cause allergies when used externally and taken orally. If you have any doubts about this, do an allergy test before adding it to any of your homemade cosmetics. To do this, apply a small amount of the substance to the bend of your elbow. The test result will be clear in a few hours. If there is no redness or rash in this area, you can safely use it.
Also, cocoa butter is not recommended to be taken orally in the evening if you are prone to insomnia - it can give you unnecessary vigor at this time.
How does cocoa butter affect the skin?
The process of making this miraculous oil is quite complicated. The seeds of the cocoa tree undergo a fermentation process, acquiring their characteristic taste, aroma and color. The seeds, sorted and cleaned after this, are subjected to heat treatment, and then they are crushed - a kind of grain is obtained, which is crushed even more. Oil is extracted from the resulting mass by pressing. At normal temperatures, it has a hard and brittle consistency and begins to melt at a temperature of 32−35°C. Color - light yellow, creamy.
The incredibly effective effect of cocoa butter on the skin is due to the unique composition of the product, mainly consisting of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The composition of the drug includes:
- arachidonic acid - protects the body from bacteria and other unfavorable microorganisms;
- palmitic and lauric acids - provide a moisturizing and healing effect;
- oleic acid - acts as an antioxidant, normalizes lipid metabolism;
- stearic acid - has softening properties, strengthens the protective barrier that repels attacks from an aggressive external environment (ultraviolet radiation, salts, etc.);
- linoleic acid - nourishes epidermal cells;
- vitamins A, C, E, F, group B - strengthen the immune system, promote rapid healing of wounds and microcracks, production of collagen and elastin fibers;
- theobromine (natural antibiotic) - helps normalize cell activity;
- minerals - magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, chromium and others;
- phytosterols - with their rejuvenating and regenerating properties, they slow down the aging process of the skin.
Methods of application
Cocoa butter has many uses. Here we will not talk about how you can use it to treat a cold or make homemade chocolate. Let's focus on what benefits it can bring to the skin.
For face
This is a good natural remedy for regular facial skin care, which can be used both on its own and as part of home cosmetics - natural creams and masks. I will give the recipes below. Thanks to it, fine wrinkles become less noticeable, the skin looks healthier, and acne marks disappear.
It promotes rapid healing if the skin has cracks, does not react well to cold and heat, is chapped, red or flaky.
For the skin around the eyes
Cocoa butter can be used, in particular, to moisturize the skin under the eyes and smooth out fine wrinkles in this area. For this purpose, the product is applied at night, but not to dry skin, but to skin that has been previously treated with tonic or hydrophilic water. This way you can avoid clogging your pores and get a wonderful effect. Within a week or two, the delicate skin under the eyes will look noticeably better.
However, you need to keep in mind that for some people oils, including cocoa, are not suitable for use in this area - their eyes become swollen. Therefore, focus on the individual reaction of your body.
Preparing the scrub
For deeper cleansing of the skin, you can use a scrub that contains 2 tbsp. l. melted cocoa butter, 1 tbsp. l. honey, 1 tbsp. l. oatmeal and 1 tbsp. l. chopped nuts (any: cashews, hazelnuts and others). All components are mixed together. The resulting mass is applied to the skin. The face is cleansed with smooth circular movements for 5 minutes. Then you should wash your face with cool water. The cleaning procedure with a scrub should be done 1-2 times a week.
Video “Mask with cocoa butter for rejuvenating and nourishing the skin”
Recipes for masks and other products
- Anti-aging mask for combination skin made from grape seed oil, pure cocoa butter and aloe pulp. You need to take all the components in a one-to-one ratio, mix, heat in a water bath and apply warm to the face. After 20 minutes, the mask can be washed off.
- Scrub for dry, combination or normal skin. Place two tablespoons of solid cocoa butter to melt in a water bath. Add a spoonful of honey to them, mix well and remove from the stove. Add a spoonful of ground nuts (you can use any) and the same amount of oatmeal. You need to wait until the mixture cools down, after which it can be used as a scrub. Apply the product to damp skin and massage your face for two to three minutes, then rinse. After the final cooling, the scrub will become hard, but will melt easily under the influence of the heat of your hands, so you can divide the prepared composition into portions in advance and use it several times.
- Homemade cream for oily skin. Mix a tablespoon of cocoa butter with 45 ml of almond and two drops of lavender. Add two tablespoons of rosemary infusion to the mixture and pour the finished mixture into a clean jar. This lightweight, natural remedy will hydrate your skin, but you need to keep it in the refrigerator.
Cocoa butter is also used to care for the skin around the eyes. It can be applied to the eyelids in its pure form, it is quickly absorbed and leaves no residue. Another option is to make an evening mask, which is applied for fifteen minutes and then washed off. Mix equal parts of vitamin E in liquid form (can be bought at the pharmacy), sea buckthorn oil and cocoa, spread a thin layer on your face. The product will help you get rid of the first wrinkles and maintain youthful and beautiful skin longer.
World Chocolate Day! How cocoa fruits are used in cosmetology.
Today, July 11th, is World Chocolate Day!
Well, how can you pass by this significant event!
I'm not as much of a chocolate fan as I used to be, that is. I can live without a bar (oops, sorry, two pieces) of dark chocolate a day. I used to be really dependent on it, even if I saw a beautiful advertisement for chocolate pleasure, I immediately ran to the store for another bar... Whatever you say, you have to know how to advertise such a product!
Why does chocolate have a magical power over some of the human race (mainly over the female part)? Isn’t it true that many people get a happy smile even from the aroma of chocolate, not to mention eating a couple of pieces?
Perhaps the whole point is in that magical combination of aromatic substances that is formed as a result of the fermentation of cocoa beans... Or in the tonic effect of caffeine and theobromine (or some other components) on our body... Or maybe these are dreams of a “sweet” life that are imposed on us advertising, about bliss and pleasure of taste...
Or maybe the reason is much deeper? Remember the movie "Chocolate" with Johnny Depp? By the way, this is one of my favorite films that I can watch several times))
Anyway, I won't be posting photos or recipes of my favorite chocolate desserts today. I will not talk about the benefits of using cocoa bean products internally. It would be cruel - in the midst of the swimming season!
Therefore, it’s better to tell you how to become more beautiful with the help of chocolate and... yes, still have time to prepare for this very swimming season!
I was interested to know that the fruits of the cocoa tree are not used as such; they do not have that magical aroma that we know. First, the seeds are extracted from the cocoa fruit, then they are subjected to fermentation (fermentation), after which they become dark brown in color and a unique “chocolate” aroma appears. After cleaning and heat treatment, the seeds are ground very finely - this is cocoa mass. Cocoa butter is extracted from it by hot pressing, of which cocoa mass contains about 50%. And the remaining cake is used to obtain cocoa powder. High-quality cocoa powder must contain at least 17% cocoa butter!
Natural unrefined cocoa butter
has a yellowish cream color and a characteristic delicate aroma. It is this oil that retains all the beneficial properties of cocoa beans! The melting point of cocoa butter is 28-34 degrees Celsius, so it melts on our skin, softening it and instantly relieving dryness and tightness. Cocoa butter contains unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, such as oleic, stearic, lauric, palmitic, linoleic and arachidic acid. These acids are partially present in our skin, helping to moisturize, restore and protect against premature aging. Therefore, cocoa butter is easily absorbed by the skin, especially dry and damaged skin.
The main feature of cocoa butter is its high content of antioxidants (Vitamin E and polyphenols) and its unsurpassed ability to increase skin elasticity.
Why cocoa butter is good for us:
- instantly relieves dry skin, softening and restoring it, very well helps dry and sagging skin look better
- has protective properties, especially in frosty, windy weather (face and lip balms)
- due to the content of antioxidants, it can maintain youthful skin and prevent its premature aging
- using oil to massage the abdomen and thighs during pregnancy prevents stretch marks on the skin
— cocoa butter promotes and enhances tanning (however, it does not have its own SPF), it can be used in daytime cosmetics
Features of home use of cocoa butter:
— it is better not to apply it pure to the skin, because... this oil is comedogenic, capable of clogging pores, no more than 5% in the mixture is enough (an exception may be using it in its pure form on the heels and elbows, the roughest and driest areas)
- to prepare the oil mixture, the cocoa butter is heated in a water bath until completely melted, and then the remaining oils are added (if you are preparing a lip balm, the wax is melted first, and then the cocoa butter is added)
- cocoa butter is stored in a dark, dry place at room temperature for about two years, it does not need to be stored in the refrigerator
Cocoa mass
at room temperature - a hard and fragile lump substance of dark brown color, with a crazy aroma of chocolate), melts in a water bath, and is actively used in cosmetology.
The most common use is anti-cellulite chocolate wrap on problem areas. Thanks to caffeine and theobromine, as well as some fatty acids included in the cocoa mass, the process of breaking down subcutaneous fat starts, the skin is evened out, becomes soft, smooth and elastic (with regular use). Even after a single use, a persistent increase in mood and improvement in the appearance of the skin was noticed!
Keep in mind that this procedure is not advisable for varicose veins, pregnancy, any damage to the skin (wounds, cuts, burns), as well as high blood pressure.
Any home wrap is much healthier than an industrial cream, so if you wish, you can make it yourself. For 30 g of grated cocoa, take 70 g of liquid and one yolk. You can add quality essential oils (such as orange, lemon and cinnamon). Melt the cocoa mass in a water bath, separately stir the yolks and a suitable liquid (for example, a strong infusion of green tea to enhance the effect, or chamomile infusion for sensitive skin), then gradually add the yolk part to the melted cocoa mass. The resulting mixture can be applied warm to the skin and wrapped in cling film for 30-40 minutes.
Instead of grated cocoa, you can use good quality cocoa powder. Add enough powder per glass of liquid to obtain a consistency suitable for application.
Face masks.
In fact, there are many recipes for such masks. I like the mask I’ve tried many times for any skin type with cocoa and yogurt:
for 1 tbsp. high-quality cocoa powder - 1 tbsp. natural yogurt + 1 tsp. honey
Apply a thick layer to clean skin for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and apply cream according to your skin type.
What is good about the components of such a mask: firstly, everything is fresh and natural, without preservatives, dyes and other “chemicals”, cocoa contains vitamins - PP (for healthy skin color), A (excellent for dry skin), B (reduces the amount inflammation on the skin), E (antioxidant, vitamin of youth) and trace elements iron, potassium, calcium, involved in metabolic processes of the skin, yogurt is an effective moisturizer, honey is an antiseptic and an excellent emollient. After such a mask, the skin glows, it is soft and smooth!
Approximate contents of any mask: cocoa powder (cocoa mass) + yolk or lecithin (emulsifier) + moisturizing component (aloe juice, herbal infusion, fruit or vegetable pulp, yogurt, etc.) + oatmeal powder, honey, etc. (active mask component or filler)
There is information that cocoa bean products can be used in hair products to strengthen hair roots and add shine to hair along the entire length. I think such masks must contain an emulsifier (for example, yolk), otherwise they will be difficult to wash off from the hair.
Something like this, briefly...
Also, keep in mind that chocolate can cause an allergic reaction. And persistent addiction to it
Let's celebrate today's holiday with a cup of hot chocolate (or cold chocolate with mint, as you like), you can definitely afford it once a year))
Your sweet tooth,
Marina
Efficiency and result
Natural and fresh cocoa butter brings undoubted benefits to the skin, its effectiveness has been proven and confirmed many times. No wonder it is so actively used in cosmetics. However, you need to be sure that you are buying a quality product. There are several signs to look out for.
- Price . Natural, non-deodorized cocoa butter is unlikely to cost less than 250 rubles per 100 grams.
- Color . If the product is white, then it is either spoiled, or it is not cocoa butter at all, but some kind of substitute. There will be no great harm from using such a product when applied externally, but there is absolutely no benefit either. A truly fresh product will be yellowish-creamy.
- Density _ Cocoa butter remains solid. It can be stored outside the refrigerator if the thermometer does not rise above +25, and this substance begins to melt at about +34 degrees. If the temperature is room temperature, and the oil is soft, reminiscent of butter, this is a fake.
- Smell . This product smells distinctly of cocoa.
The result of using natural cocoa butter in home cosmetics will be skin rejuvenation. This product gives her the nutrition she needs. The face becomes smooth and pleasant to the touch, irritation, flaking and dryness disappear, the skin is soft and elastic.
Reviews
Many of my clients have tried using cocoa butter for cosmetic purposes and praised it very much. According to reviews, the drug perfectly softens lips and quickly relieves dryness and cracks. They say it leaves a light film on the lips that feels like wax, but it doesn't feel uncomfortable. At the same time, it smells distinctly and very pleasantly of chocolate. You can buy it quite inexpensively. The beneficial properties of this product are also noted by those who have dry skin - it is well moisturized and softened. It also helps a lot in tidying up rough skin on the elbows.
As a cosmetologist, I can join their praise. I myself use this product mixed with almond oil and apply this mixture along with the cream at night on the skin around the eyes several times a week, I am pleased with the result.
Benefits of Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is almost universal as a cosmetic product. Thanks to its composition, it can be used for different purposes , both for young and aged skin:
- to improve the appearance of the skin, even out the complexion;
- for enhanced nutrition and moisturizing of the skin;
- to cleanse pores;
- to eliminate acne and pimples;
- to eliminate inflammatory processes;
- to slow down the aging process of the epidermis;
- for whitening age spots;
- to normalize fat metabolism;
- for healing small wounds and microcracks;
- for protection against frostbite and chapping;
- to increase skin elasticity.
conclusions
Natural cocoa butter is an excellent natural remedy for home self-care. Maintains youth, freshness and elasticity of the skin, accelerates regeneration, relieves irritation, redness and peeling. The face becomes softer and smoother, the tone is evened out. At the same time, the drug is inexpensive and easy to get at a pharmacy or cosmetic store.
If you are interested in homemade cosmetics, you should definitely pay attention to cocoa butter. And share your impressions in the comments below the article.
Making scars invisible
Cocoa butter has the ability to strengthen connective tissue, which helps eliminate cosmetic unevenness on the skin. To do this, apply a thick layer of cocoa butter to problem areas and massage the skin for 20–30 minutes. This activates blood circulation and enhances the effect of the oil. Manipulations must be repeated daily until the scars are noticeably reduced.
After using cocoa butter, scars and scars on the skin will become less noticeable
To lighten scars, you can add lemon juice to cocoa butter.
