12 incredible benefits of COCOA BUTTER that no one knows.
Cocoa is known as Theobroma which means "food of the gods".
Cocoa butter is an ingredient often used in skin care and cosmetics because it has powerful properties.
Africans already used it to protect, heal and moisturize their skin exposed to the sun all day long.
Cocoa butter has an off-white or ivory color. It gives the chocolate its creamy and soft texture.
In addition, it is very resistant to oxidation, which allows it to be kept for a long time.
here is 12 health benefits of cocoa butter that no one knows about :
1. Moisturizes the skin
Cocoa butter is a wonderful natural moisturizer that melts in your hands with your body heat. It is rich in fatty acids which penetrate the skin for deep hydration. One of the best ways to reap the benefits of cocoa butter is to make your own whipped body butter. Here is a simple yet effective recipe that your skin will love:
Ingredients
- 110 g of shea butter
- 110 g of cocoa butter
- 125 ml of organic coconut oil
- 125 ml of almond oil
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil
How to do
- Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, except for the essential oils, then melt them together over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, then add the essential oil.
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about 1 hour so that it hardens slightly.
- Finally, whip with an electric mixer for about ten minutes or until a frothy mixture is obtained.
- Put back in the fridge for about fifteen minutes.
- Store the whipped butter in a glass jar with a lid in a cool place.
The creamy texture of this whipped butter moisturizes your skin and makes it very soft. It is an excellent product to prevent the skin from drying out and being irritated, especially in winter. Check out the trick here.
2. Nourishes the hair
Cocoa butter is also very effective on the hair. Use it and they will thank you! Here's an easy leave-in conditioner balm recipe for your hair. They will be well fed and also very fragrant.
Ingredients
- 110 g of cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil
- 6 drops of vanilla essential oil
How to do
- In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the essential oil and melt them over low heat, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and pour into an airtight container, leaving to cool for ten minutes. Then add the essential oil.
- Place everything in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
- Take out the mixture and let it soften until you get the consistency of butter and apply it to clean, dry hair.
This balm can be applied to your hair before going to bed and rinsed off the next morning. Or you can just apply it to your hair (like styling mousse) and style it as usual.
Contrary to what one might think, this rather oily balm limits the production of sebum in the scalp, which minimizes the appearance of dandruff.
The hair is also much healthier, thicker and shinier. Say goodbye to split ends and brittle or dull hair. Hair grows better and stronger.
3. Slows down the aging of the skin
Cocoa butter is rich in antioxidants, including oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.
These fatty acids are particularly beneficial for the skin, because they protect it against external aggressions and free radicals.
This slows down the aging process while also acting as a sunscreen.
Your skin will appear more beautiful from the first days.
The appearance of wrinkles is also slowed down thanks to cocoa butter. No more overpriced wrinkle creams!
4. Take care of the skin
Time, hormones and age all have a greater or lesser impact on our skin.
Cocoa butter is a gentle, non-toxic way to counter these many signs.
Almost all pregnant women will tell you that they have used cocoa butter for stretch marks. And they all show positive results.
The previously mentioned antioxidants also lighten age spots, evens skin tone, and erases scars.
Others even recommend cocoa butter to calm and heal sensitive skin or skin irritations like eczema.
This is an opportunity to replace commercial ointments and creams which are usually full of harmful chemicals.
5. Serves as a base for shaving foam
Thanks to its creamy texture, cocoa butter is often used in lotions and creams. Added to soap, it gives a very good, rich and moisturizing shaving foam. Ideal for men's beards or women's legs shaving. This simple recipe saves money, but also nourishes your skin with good products:
Ingredients
- 110 g of cocoa butter
- 125 ml of coconut oil
- 20 drops of essential oil (lavender is ideal for girls but boys prefer sandalwood)
How to do
- Melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat and mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Then, remove from heat and add the essential oil, leaving to cool.
- Mix with a whisk until a frothy mixture is obtained.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool place.
The cocoa butter lightly perfumes the skin and allows the razor to glide well.
6. Moisturizes lips
Our lips are one of the only surfaces on our body that doesn't self-hydrate.
This is why we are constantly moistening our lips or applying lip balm throughout the day.
Choose a 100% cocoa butter balm.
Cocoa butter, thanks to its creamy texture, perfectly moisturizes the lips.
You can easily melt cocoa butter, add the essential oil of your choice and your favorite color to create your bespoke balm.
The caffeine in cocoa butter makes lips plump.
To you the beautiful smile with soft, luscious and beautifully tinted lips.
To discover : Super Easy to Make: The Recipe for 100% Natural Lip Balm.
7. Relaxing
Have you had a big day? How about taking a nice hot bath with cocoa butter?
Not only will you love its relaxing scent of vanilla and chocolate, but your bath will give you all the softness and calm you need.
Simply put 2 tablespoons of cocoa butter in the water.
The melted butter forms a moisturizing film all over the body.
You can of course add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
All you have to do is relax quietly. Goodbye stress!
And if your feet are dry, soak them in a bowl of water with a tablespoon of cocoa butter and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
8. Can be used in aromatherapy
Pure cocoa butter is fragrant enough to be used in aromatherapy.
The aromas of chocolate and vanilla are subtle and we can't resist them.
Essential oil experts explain that cocoa butter is not a carrier oil, but its natural properties make it suitable for aromatherapy.
You can mix your cocoa butter with a few drops of neroli with a fresh floral scent with hints of citrus.
Neroli is known to fight anxiety and depression.
If you want to relax and sleep better, try green or red tangerine essential oil mixed with your cocoa butter to promote restful sleep.
9. Strengthens the immune system
Researchers have shown that cocoa butter strengthens the immune system.
It could suppress the activity of T cells in our immune system.
Thus, it would effectively reduce inflammation.
To take advantage of this little-known benefit, simply add a little cocoa butter to your diet.
This will help restore your hormonal balance.
It is particularly recommended for limiting heart disease, mood disorders, psoriasis, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia and arthritis.
10. Improves heart health
It is often said that fat is bad for the health of the heart.
As a result, it is better to use healthier fats in our diet.
Cocoa butter is a perfect example.
The polyphenolic components in cocoa butter lower inflammatory markers that make the arteries harder.
It therefore naturally reduces the risk of heart attack.
11. Avoids temporary constipation
Cocoa, contained in cocoa butter, is also a recognized laxative which fights constipation naturally.
Regular consumption of cocoa products promotes bowel function.
The stools are healthier and the digestion time decreases.
This is particularly useful in children who suffer from transient constipation.
Studies are also being carried out on the benefits of cocoa for treating chronic constipation and intestinal diseases.
12. Makes you happier
It is well known that chocolate makes you happy, but it is not necessarily clear why, beyond the obvious pleasure that comes from eating chocolate.
The cocoa butter in chocolate increases endorphin and serotonin levels in the brain, which improves overall mood.
In addition, magnesium (found in chocolate and therefore in cocoa butter) prevents the drop in progesterone responsible for emotional fluctuations.
Eating cocoa butter, therefore, is a great way to put a smile on your face.
Cocoa also contains phenylethylamine which acts as a stimulant which promotes intellectual alertness and greater endurance.
Two qualities that work together to promote a feeling of satisfaction.
Where to get cocoa butter?
Cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa beans which are found in oval shaped pods that grow on the tree.
These cocoa beans are then pressed in hydraulic machines to produce the cocoa butter.
After the extraction of cocoa butter, the solid part is used to make cocoa powder.
You can easily find cocoa butter in organic stores, supermarkets, but also online here for cheap.
Prefer organic, unrefined cocoa butter.
Your turn...
Have you ever used cocoa butter? Tell us in the comments if it was beneficial for you? We can't wait to hear from you!
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Also to discover:
The 7 Benefits of Shea Butter That We Know Little About.
Effective and Easy to Make: Home Wrinkle Cream with Olibanum Essential Oil.
