It’s hard not to imagine taking a bite out of a bar of chocolate when we hear the word cocoa butter. Besides delivering the most divine sensation to our taste buds, this rich, creamy butter has so much more to offer us! Read on…
Cocoa butter is the natural fat obtained from the cocoa bean. It’s a prized commodity and a primary ingredient in the production of edible chocolate products. Its uses are far more than merely for consumption, for it has been revered as one of the best skincare ingredient of all time due to its deep moisturising properties.
4 COCOA BUTTER FACT
- Solid at room temperature
- Has a low melting point
- Boasts a long shelf life of up to four yearsOften used in lieu of butter in vegan cooking
Keeps Your Skin Looking Plumper And Younger
Cocoa butter has antioxidants and important fatty acids that protect your skin against the unspeakable harm of free radicals and dozens of skin stressors. This helps to slow to process of aging and keep you looking younger for longer. The healthier your skin is, the less likely for it to develop premature wrinkles and fine lines. If you are diligent in your skincare routine with cocoa butter or quality products that contain it, your skin will reward you… no two ways about it!
For Treating Sensitive Skin Issues
Using cocoa butter may help in treating sensitive, eczema-prone skin. This is because in most cases, a severe lack of moisture is the main cause of skin dryness and itchiness. The rich, healing components of cocoa butter, if it agrees with a person’s skin, will help combat dryness and nourish the skin too.
Improves Heart Health
It used to be that we assumed all fats are bad, but we know better now, don’t we? Now, we actually make an effort to include some healthy fats into our diets. Did you know that cocoa butter is a healthy fat? The polyphenolic components in cocoa butter lower inflammatory markers that contribute to hardening of the arteries, which is one of the main causes of heart diseases. Hence, taken in modest, appropriate amounts, cocoa can be considered as a heart-healthy food.
Promotes Feelings Of Wellbeing And Happiness
For most people, chocolate makes them feel happy, but why is this so? The cocoa butter in chocolate actually raises the endorphin and serotonin levels in your brain which in turn improves your overall mood. Furthermore, magnesium (found in chocolate containing cocoa butter) may help prevent the drop in progesterone that leads to emotional swings during PMS. Cocoa also contains phenylethylamine which acts as a stimulant. This can result in heightened mental alertness and greater stamina.
Deep Moisturising Foot Soak
Are your feet looking dry and weary? No surprise there, especially if you’ve been way too busy to pamper them! Drop a tablespoon of pure cocoa butter into a basin filled with really warm water, and soak your feet in them for at least half an hour. Every few minutes or so, rub your feet together while letting them touch the surface of the water. Towel dry and massage in any access butter on the surface of your feet.
Skin-Saving Shaving Cream
If you’re worried about all those suspicious ingredients in your shaving soap or cream, try making your own with super-moisturising cocoa butter. All you have to do is:
- Mealt half a cup of cocoa butter with half a cup of organic coconut oil in a pan, using low heat, while mixing with a wooden spoon till completely melted and well combined
- Take it off the heat and let it cool for a bit
- Mix rigorously with the wooden spoon till the texture is ‘fluffy’
- Store in a glass jar and use it as shaving cream.
