Cocoa butter. Is reading this making you drool? We understand, because who doesn’t love chocolate! But, did you know that the butter derived from cocoa beans is a fantastic skin moisturizer?
Yes, cocoa butter is a boon for people with extremely dry and dull skin. It offers plenty of benefits, besides having an irresistible natural fragrance. If you want to know how to incorporate cocoa butter in your skincare regimen, keep reading!
What Is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is a white-colored, creamy fat derived from cocoa beans.
The beans, separated from the pods (fruit of the cacao plant), are fermented, roasted and crushed to extract cocoa powder and cocoa butter. While the two are again combined to create chocolate bars, the butter itself is used in skincare as well as medicines.
Benefits Of Cocoa Butter For Skin
1. Rich Moisturizer
Cocoa butter has rich moisturizing properties and is used as a core ingredient in many skin moisturizers. It can be beneficial for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Filled with fatty acids like palmitic, stearic and oleic acids, it helps the protective layer of your skin to retain moisture. Naturally, moisture retention prevents your skin from drying out.
In recent studies, researchers found that phytochemicals [1], a compound in cocoa, may help you achieve healthy and smooth skin!
2. Source of Antioxidant
Cocoa butter is a powerhouse of antioxidants! It helps your skin fight free-radical damages [2], which happen due to sun exposure, smoking, air pollutants and harsh chemicals. Free radicals lead to premature skin ageing, dark and rough patches. Cocoa butter can offer you a soothing relief as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Fades Scars And Marks
Popular belief is that cocoa butter can fade scars and marks from your skin, especially the stretch marks during and after pregnancy among women. Many studies concluded, even though cocoa butter will not completely remove your scars or stretch marks, it will slightly fade their appearance.
4. Good For Sensitive Skin
Dirt, dust, pollution and poor diet may damage the natural barrier of your skin. Once the protection is down, your skin naturally becomes sensitive and you may notice red patches and scaling. Cocoa butter goes well with sensitive skin. It is a rich source of polyphenols, which are known micronutrients packed with health benefits. It helps to reduce red patches, rashes or any type of skin irritation.
Wrapping Up
With intense moisturizing powers, cocoa butter is the answer to keep your dry skin soft, healthy and glowing. The edible substance also works as a lip balm. Try cocoa butter especially during Winters and you can bid goodbye to chapped skin.