Cocoa butter: what is it used for, how to use it for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Cocoa butter - benefits and harms, use in cosmetology

The oil has a positive effect on the body due to the high content of antioxidants. The chemical properties of cocoa butter change with the ambient temperature. For example, at temperatures above 40 degrees, the oil becomes transparent. It is thanks to this property that it is used to prepare various colorless creams in the confectionery industry. In its composition, the oil also has caffeine, tannin, methylxanine, which heal wounds and tone the body as a whole. Due to these substances, cocoa butter is often used as a remedy for moderate burns.

This oil, when used regularly, can reduce cholesterol in the blood. It also increases mental activity and brain activity, so it is advised to use it as a dietary supplement for students and office workaholics. The oil also promotes weight loss, improves the endocrine system, and suppresses appetite.

Some contraindications

Also, the oil is allergenic, when using it for the first time as a dietary supplement or cosmetic, try a small amount. Pregnancy and infancy are contraindications for use.

How to use cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is obtained by pressing the beans of the cocoa tree. This is a fairly hard and brittle substance, which becomes watery and oily after heating, and it is enough to heat up to 35 degrees. Cocoa butter is known in the culinary and cosmetic industries. It has a pleasant aroma and numerous beneficial properties.

Useful properties of cocoa butter:

Cocoa butter is used as a fatty base in cosmetic and culinary recipes. It is based on, which improve the condition of the body, create a rejuvenating effect. Cocoa butter is also added to medicines - against peeling lips, burns and other skin damage.

Everyone is familiar with a depressive state, for many it occurs in autumn and winter, and for some in the spring there are such ailments. Cocoa butter will help protect yourself from this disease. With the help of oil, the work of the whole organism improves.

Is there any harm in eating cocoa butter? Yes, there is, but from excessive consumption, as, indeed, from all other foods, vegetables and fruits, which we sometimes get carried away with excessively.

If you love sweets, chocolate and other products that contain cocoa, you should also be aware of the results of abuse. And here are the main ones - metabolic disorders can occur; the appearance of excess weight and as a result, the appearance of acne is possible.

And hence the contraindications of cocoa butter: for those who have diabetes; obese or with impaired metabolism, as well as young children (up to a year), since the oil contains a small amount of caffeine.

Maybe someone will ask - what about allergies? Experts - doctors and nutritionists say that cocoa beans themselves will not cause allergies, but we should not forget that when we use our favorite sweets and other chocolate products, before putting this tidbit in our mouth, it goes through various stages of processing, where they are used and other chemical products.

Composition of cocoa butter

The lowest fat content in cocoa powder, however, it contains more carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Cocoa powder is rich in vitamins and microelements, as well as biologically active compounds of the protein structure, which includes dopamine and serotonin.

Cocoa beans contain the largest amount of biologically active substances. So, back to cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is very fatty, hard, pale yellow in color. It has a high calorie content. The most useful and fragrant is natural, unprocessed oil. As a result of processing, the product loses some of its properties, and even the aroma partially disappears. In terms of antioxidant properties, cocoa butter is superior to other natural remedies.

When buying cocoa butter, you may encounter a rather poor-quality product. The very best butter obtained from cocoa beans grown without chemicals. Its cost is high. The first thing to pay attention to is the color of the oil. As already mentioned, cocoa butter has a light yellow color, but not white. With white color there can be a substitute. The oil has an aromatic smell of cocoa. If the oil does not smell, this is also a substitute.

Palm oil with a low cocoa content may be a substitute. Hence the conclusion - do not choose the cheapest oil.

Cocoa butter can be stored in a cool place, and not necessarily in the refrigerator, as long as it is not in direct sunlight. If the room is too hot, you can put it in the refrigerator. Shelf life up to 2 years.

Properties and application in cosmetology

What are the results of using cocoa butter?
The oil has regenerating, moisturizing properties. It nourishes the skin, smoothes fine wrinkles, restores the cellular structure and strengthens the capillary walls. Cocoa butter can eliminate peeling, redness, flabbiness of the skin, promotes the healing of small wounds.

This is one that boosts immunity. Cocoa butter can also be used as a night cream if the skin is dry. During winter, when going outside in windy and frosty weather, you can lubricate your lips and face with oil. Covering the surface of the skin with a thin film, it protects the skin. Moisturizers that have a high water content are not suitable for this purpose.

Cocoa butter can also be used for hands, it nourishes, softens and protects the skin. The oil is suitable for use in home cosmetics. It can be used both in its pure form and as part of masks. It is suitable for any type of skin.

If you want to use it in its pure form, take a piece of oil in your hands and massage it over the skin. The piece will melt and remain on the skin as a greasy layer. But all this will pass quickly, as it is well absorbed. Cocoa butter can also be used for the eye area. There are also other options for using oil at home. Slightly melt the oil and add it in the amount of a few drops to any face cream.

In the summer, this miracle remedy can be used not only as protection from the sun's rays, it will also help to achieve a beautiful tan. The latter property is best used by those who need a tan.

Recipes with cocoa butter at home

Mask for nourishing and rejuvenating facial skin

Melted butter can be mixed with an essential oil of your choice and applied in a thin layer to your face. This procedure will help with extreme dryness and flaking of the skin.

You can make a face cream based on cocoa butter. To do this, melt a teaspoon of our product in a water bath, add the same amount of jojoba, peach, olive oil. Mix everything, remove from heat and add a few drops of essential oil. Place the container in which the mass was prepared in cold water to cool. The cream is ready.

The pleasant aroma of cocoa butter, its emollient properties and velvety texture have made it one of the most popular ingredients in cosmetic products. It can be found in lotions, soaps, creams, and other types of cosmetics.

The oil can be used to treat chapped skin, to prevent dryness and itching, and to care for lips.

For example, lip balm.

15 ml of beeswax, 20 ml of cocoa butter, heat until completely dissolved. Add 15 ml of shea butter, which should also dissolve in this mass, 3 drops of honey and 5 ml of sweet almond oil. Balm is ready. It can be used daily.

Body Oil

If you use natural oil in your home cosmetics, then in a short time you will see amazing results. In almost all homemade masks, just one teaspoon of melted butter is enough.

Cocoa butter masks can be purchased at pharmacies and cosmetic stores. However, many who have used this oil contained in products purchased from these sources say that there can be no better oil than at home. Here we mean, of course, that natural remedy, and not a substitute or a fake, in which the presence of chemical impurities or other components that our skin does not need is possible.

Hair masks

Rosemary mask

Rum mask

Mask with kefir

You can add oil solutions of vitamins A and E to the masks, 3-5 drops each. You can use various herbal infusions, to which add 2 teaspoons of cocoa butter. Cocoa butter for skin and hair care is most often recommended for those who have dry skin and hair. And owners of oily hair can replace oil with powder.

In addition to the nutritional benefits, the powder also colors the hair, but more on that another time. This method of staining deserves more detailed study.

In the article we discuss cocoa butter in cosmetology, its beneficial properties for hair, face and body skin, learn about contraindications to its use. After a course of oil-based masks, you will get rid of wrinkles around the eyes, increase the elasticity of the epidermis, make your hair stronger and more voluminous, as well as remove stretch marks and other skin irregularities.

Useful properties of cocoa butter in cosmetology

Cocoa butter is a fat that is squeezed out of the ground beans of the chocolate tree. It remains solid at temperatures up to 25-27 degrees Celsius and melts at 32-35 degrees Celsius. It is convenient to use when caring for the body and face. As soon as the oil touches the skin, it melts.

The product contains a high percentage of fatty acids and antioxidants:

• oleic acid enhances lipid metabolism and retains moisture;
• palmitic acid gives lipophilic properties, due to which the active substances of cocoa butter penetrate the epidermis faster;
• stearic acid increases the protective and barrier functions of the skin;
• lauric acid retains moisture in the cells of the dermis;
• linoleic acid fights the problem of peeling and dryness;
• vitamin E (tocopherol) moisturizes, improves elasticity, activates collagen production and smoothes wrinkles.

Useful properties of cocoa butter from the point of view of cosmetologists:

• regeneration, hydration and softening of the skin;
• anti-cellulite properties;
• elimination of itching, burning, redness and swelling;
• wound healing, help with burns;
• protection from the negative effects of UV rays.

The scope of the product is quite wide - it is suitable for the face, lips, body and hair. Cocoa butter in the massage process helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system and get rid of insomnia.

Cocoa butter for face

Cocoa butter has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face:

• accelerates regeneration processes, therefore it is part of many anti-aging cosmetics;
• removes scars, scars, acne spots;
• helps chapped, dry, aging and sagging skin - covers it with a waterproof protective film and retains moisture in it;
• protects from low temperatures in winter;
• maintains tone, nourishes and restores water-lipid balance;
• eliminates spider veins and skin pigmentation.

The use of pure cocoa butter should be considered. It is characterized by high comedogenic properties - 4th position on the comedogenicity scale. If you apply such a remedy on oily or problematic skin, then the oil will bring both benefit and harm. The pores will become even more clogged, the number of inflammations will increase, the luster of the skin will increase.

In its pure form, cocoa butter is effective in anti-aging therapy for aging skin or when it is severely flaky.

How to use:

• Thoroughly cleanse your face of decorative cosmetics.
• Take a piece of butter in your hands and hold it for a while until it melts.
• Apply to skin, preferably in the evening.

It is also useful in winter when your lips are chapped and cracks appear in the corners. The tool heals wounds, softens and moisturizes the top layer of the skin.

If you use cocoa butter in making face masks at home, be sure to heat it in a water bath to a liquid state.

Mask for aging skin

Ingredients:

1. Cocoa butter (liquid) - 1 tsp
2. Parsley greens (chopped) - 1 tbsp.

How to cook: Blend the parsley and oil into a paste.

How to use: Moving along the massage lines, apply the gruel on the face and hold for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse gently with cool water.

Result: The mask deeply moisturizes and smoothes the skin, saturates it with useful vitamins and microelements, makes it soft and velvety to the touch, removes inflammation, peeling and other imperfections.

Wrinkle mask

Ingredients:

1. Cocoa butter (liquid) - 1 tsp
2. Natural honey (liquid) - 1 tsp
3. Chicken egg (yolk) - 1 pc.
4. Carrot juice - 1 tsp
5. Lemon juice - 10 drops.

How to cook: Mix ingredients well until smooth.

How to use: Apply to the face, avoiding the area around the eyes, and keep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the mask with a cotton pad soaked in warm water.

Result: The product has a rejuvenating effect on wrinkled and dehydrated facial skin, softens and intensively moisturizes it.

Cocoa butter for the body

The main benefit of cocoa butter for the body is the ability to accelerate regeneration processes in cells. The agent activates microcirculation, strengthens capillary walls, removes burning, itching, swelling and redness of tissues, intensively moisturizes and protects against negative environmental influences.

Body care with cocoa butter brings the following effect:

• help with frostbite of hands, with burns or after sunburn;
• resorption of scars and scars;
• preventing harmful toxins from entering the skin if you work with harmful substances in the workplace;
• sun protection;
• reducing exposure to chlorine when swimming in the pool;
• getting rid of itching;
• prevention of fungal diseases;
• getting rid of cellulite, stretch marks and other skin irregularities.

If your skin is covered with such bumps, the oil will help make them less noticeable. To do this, carry out wraps. Mix equal proportions of cocoa butter, sweet almonds and olives. Apply to problem areas, wrap with plastic wrap and put on warm clothes, preferably a tracksuit. Lie under the covers for about 40 minutes, then take a warm shower.

Repeat the wrapping procedure 2-3 times a week in a course of 10 sessions.

cocoa butter for hair

The oil restores brittle and dry hair, strengthens its structure from the inside, nourishes the hair follicle, restores shine and beauty after the first application. To enhance the positive effect of cocoa beans, add other ingredients to the hair mask recipe. In this case, the oil itself must be heated in a water bath.

Hair loss mask

Ingredients:

1. Cocoa butter (liquid) - 1 tbsp
2. Burdock oil - 1 tbsp.
3. Chicken egg - 1 pc.
4. Kefir - 1 tbsp.

How to cook: Boil the egg and grind the yolk into a pulp. Mix it with cocoa butter melted in a water bath, burdock oil and kefir.

How to use: Apply the mask to the hair roots and along their entire length, rubbing in with light massage movements. Cover your head with a film and a warm scarf. Wash off the mixture after 1 hour with warm water and regular shampoo. The course of treatment reaches 12-16 procedures with the frequency of applying the mask 2-3 times a week.

Result: A mixture of oils, eggs and yogurt prevents hair loss, stimulates their active growth, gives elasticity and volume, and facilitates styling.

Mask for brittle and weakened hair

Ingredients:

1. Cocoa butter (liquid) - 2-3 tablespoons
2. Rosemary - 2 tbsp
3. Hot water - 100 ml.

How to cook: Pour water over rosemary and leave for about 60 minutes, then strain through cheesecloth. Add oil to the resulting herbal infusion.

How to use: Rub the mixture into the hair roots and evenly distribute along the entire length, then wrap your head with plastic wrap and a thick towel on top. Wash off the oil mixture with shampoo after 2-3 hours. Repeat the procedure every 3 days in a course of 10-12 procedures.

Result: The mask restores damaged brittle hair, strengthens it, restores shine, silkiness and smoothness.

Contraindications

The only drawback of cocoa butter is the possibility of individual intolerance. To rule out a skin reaction in the form of a red rash, hives and itching, test the product on the elbow before using it in masks and creams.

Once a couple of years ago, in winter, my daughter got sick, she had a cough, her throat hurt. So, I called the pediatric nurse and asked her about how you can treat a child's cough. She told me that the best remedy is milk with honey and cocoa butter. We drank warm milk with cocoa butter and honey, and the cough treatment really worked. The child felt better.

Cocoa butter has a very pleasant taste, it smells like chocolate. Well softens and "lubricates" the sore throat. So when coughing, cocoa butter is the best suited for treatment. But besides this, cocoa butter has many medicinal properties and a wide range of applications, and I want to talk about all this in more detail.

Cocoa butter is obtained from the seeds of the fruit of the chocolate tree. Cocoa butter has a hard and brittle texture, with a strong chocolate flavor. The color of the oil is cream to light yellow. The melting point of cocoa butter is from 33-37 degrees. At room temperature, the oil is solid. But the oil melts on contact with the skin.

Cocoa butter is widely used in cosmetology, as it perfectly nourishes, softens the skin, in a word, it is an excellent tool in skin care. Cocoa butter is also used in perfumery and medicine.

Cocoa butter is the basis for some ointments and suppositories, and it is also part of expensive soaps. Cocoa butter is used as a fat base in the production of confectionery.

Cocoa butter chemical composition. Oleic acid, tannins, caffeine, palmic and lauric acid, triglycerides, minerals and tannins, vitamins A, E, C.

Cacao butter. Medicinal properties

• Cocoa butter has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Also, cocoa butter perfectly heals wounds, wounds, cracks. Has cocoa butter regenerating properties.
• Cocoa butter has an enveloping and antitussive property.
• Cocoa butter has analgesic healing properties.

Cocoa butter promotes the healing of wounds, cracks, removes fine wrinkles, crow's feet and the effects of acne. Cocoa butter can be used to lubricate chapped lips, suitable for lip care both in winter in cold weather and in summer in hot weather.

How to store cocoa butter.

I usually store cocoa butter in the refrigerator door. The oil is stored in a tightly closed container and in a cool place. Cocoa butter can be stored for 3 to 5 years, as it contains antioxidants that prevent the oil from going rancid.

There may be a white coating on the oil, like on chocolate, it is allowed, since the oil does not lose its properties. But it is best to store it in the refrigerator. And be sure when buying cocoa butter, pay attention to the date of its manufacture. And also see if cocoa butter is cosmetic, since this cannot be eaten. It's usually written on the box.

Where to buy cocoa butter.

I buy cocoa butter in a pharmacy, we sell it in almost any pharmacy. We also bought some cocoa butter when we were at a flower show. Oil was sold in a tile. Many goods and various colors were sold there, including cocoa butter. I also saw it for sale in a store that sells cosmetics and various body and face care products. But most likely it will be cosmetic. Oil is sold in boxes, in jars, in tiles, even in the form of lipstick.

I recently bought almond oil for myself, I am very pleased with it, pleasant, light, does not leave greasy marks on the skin. I wrote an article on the blog in more detail about almond oil, you can read the description, application and my impressions in the article "". Like cocoa butter, this is one of my favorite oils.

Cacao butter. Application. Treatment

The range of application of cocoa butter is really quite wide, it is used in cosmetology, in gynecology, in traditional medicine.

Cocoa butter is used for colds, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, cracked lips, heels. Cocoa butter has emollient and enveloping properties; you can lubricate the nasal mucosa before leaving the house during the flu and colds to protect yourself from infection in the body.

Cocoa butter for cough. Recipes

Cocoa butter is used in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, colds. Since cocoa butter has practically no contraindications and age restrictions, it can be used for young children.

With a dry cough, with a sore throat, cocoa butter should be absorbed in the mouth about 6 times a day in pieces. About the size of a pea. Cocoa butter well envelops the big throat, softens, relieves inflammation. I myself tried this remedy on myself, as well as milk with honey and cocoa butter.

With bronchitis and cough, you can drink warm milk with cocoa butter and honey. Unless, of course, you are allergic to honey. Usually I boil milk, pour myself or my daughter a mug of milk, only warm, add a piece of butter, about half a teaspoon and a couple of teaspoons of honey. I mix everything and drink it warm. Very well softens the throat, eliminates cough, promotes recovery.

For children, you can take a quarter of a chocolate bar, a teaspoon of cocoa butter and melt in a water bath, combine with 0.5 liter of warm boiled milk. And you can give such milk to children in 1/4 of a glass.

Cocoa butter in gynecology.

Most often, cocoa butter is used for cervical erosion, but only after consultation with the doctor. Melt a tablespoon of cocoa butter in a water bath, add a teaspoon of sea buckthorn oil, mix everything. This oil is soaked in tampons and inserted overnight into the vagina. The procedure is repeated every day for 10 days.

Cocoa butter lubricates cracks in the nipples of nursing mothers. Cocoa butter softens, accelerates the healing of wounds. In addition, cocoa butter is safe for both mother and baby.

Oil is used for stretch marks on the skin, stretch marks after childbirth. The oil is used for massage.

Cocoa butter for hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

With hemorrhoids, you can do enemas with a decoction of chamomile and cocoa butter. For 0.5 liters of water, one tablespoon of chamomile, boil for 10 minutes, strain. Melt a teaspoon of cocoa butter, mix with a decoction of chamomile and make an enema.

Cocoa butter for dry lips, hands, cracked hands.

If your lips are chapped from wind or frost, lubricate them several times a day with cocoa butter. Also lubricate your lips at night. Cocoa butter nourishes, moisturizes, heals. Lips can be lubricated before going out, and I lubricate the lips for both children and adults. Cocoa butter will protect the skin of your lips from chapping, frostbite. Cocoa butter can be lubricated with jams.

Cocoa butter is used for dry hands, with cracks in the fingers. Cocoa butter is used for rough skin on the elbows and knees. You can simply lubricate the elbows, knees, hands, fingers with melted butter.

You can use cocoa butter by mixing it with olive oil. Cocoa butter must first be melted in a water bath. I lubricate my hands with this mixture of oils, cracks on the fingers.

Cocoa butter for skin care around the eyes.

Cocoa butter is used for the skin around the eyes. Cocoa butter nourishes, moisturizes, softens and helps smooth wrinkles. Cocoa butter does not cause redness and swelling, so it can be used in its pure form. Or mixed with other oils. Peach, almond, sea buckthorn oil is well suited. Cocoa butter must first be melted and mixed with other butter in a ratio of 1: 2.

Cacao butter. Contraindications

In fact, the oil is a safe and natural product. Suitable for use by both children and adults. An allergy to cocoa butter is extremely rare. Oil is contraindicated for allergies or individual intolerance to the product.

I really love cocoa butter, discovered it not so long ago and use it when necessary. Always good help. In addition, the healing properties of the oil are impressive. Most of all, I like to use cocoa butter for coughs.

In winter, I lubricate my lips with it, the oil softens and heals very well. True, now I didn’t have it in the refrigerator, it’s over and I haven’t had time to buy it yet, I just haven’t needed it yet. I will definitely buy cocoa butter. I always buy it at the pharmacy. I hope this oil will become your favorite oil too.