Ways To Use Cocoa Butter In Baking & Cooking
When it comes to baking and cooking, cocoa butter is one of the most popular substitutes for chocolate. It has a chocolaty aroma and can be used in sweet recipes. In addition, it contains no preservatives or artificial additives. As it is 100 percent cocoa, it is also vegan.
Cocoa butter has a mild, sweet taste and is an excellent replacement for dairy butter. It doesnt overpower your taste buds, and the flavor profile is mild and pleasant. Its pleasant chocolate aroma also makes baked goods more appealing to eat. This product keeps its freshness for years if stored in a cool, dry place.
Shea Butter Vs Cocoa Butter For Stretch Marks
Both shea butter and cocoa butter claim to help remove stretch marks or striae but there is a lack of quality evidence to support this . If you have dry skin, improving the texture and appearance will make the stretch marks less apparent, but there is not sufficient evidence to say that they will repair the skin and remove stretch marks.
It is thought that vitamin A in shea butter can help repair the damaged collagen in stretch marks, but there need to be large randomized controlled trials to fully assess this claim. Since there is a component of inflammation in certain types of stretch marks, striae rubra, it is thought that cocoa butter with its anti-inflammatory properties could help.
Once again, there is a lack of concrete evidence to support this claim.
Cocoa Butter Vs Shea Butter For Stretch Marks
Cocoa butter penetrates the skin to help retain moisture in the inner layer of the skin. While it does that, it also deposits vitamins A, and E as well as stearic acid into the skin. This will help to improve the appearance of scars on the skin.
Using cocoa butter will help to lighten stretch marks and may also prevent their formation on the skin. However, Shea butter seems to be a better option for reducing the appearance of stretch marks as it does not clog the pores. It also doesnt stick to the skin.
Shea butter also contains more vitamins and nutrients that can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks quicker.
SEE: Best Stretch Mark Creams That Work
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Chocolate As Health Food
What is health? It is chocolate!
Soooo, youre not going to want to make cocoa butter a LARGE portion of your diet .. unless of course your goal is to consume a diet of world-record-worthy caloric content. Thank god calories cant be absorbed through the skin, so using cocoa butter topically wont add to the waistline.
Can I get an amen?! BUT, cocoa beans are considered to be in the super-food group along with blueberries, acai, green tea, etc & cocoa butter is believed to be loaded with polyphenols .. micro nutrients that have a myriad of benefits: anti-oxidant, cancer & inflammation-fighting, heart health, the list goes on.
Many of these are super helpful in assisting the body to neutralize free radicals, those pesky little buggers that were all warned against in hushed tones but few ordinary folk seem entirely sure how to find .. under the bed w/ the monsters & dust-bunnies, maybe? Its free radicals we can blame for much of our aging, wrinkles, age spots & the dreaded crows feet, not to mention their contributions to the more serious conditions mentioned above.
Is Shea Butter Good For Skin
You will no doubt have heard of the wonders of shea butter. It has been used to treat numerous conditions such as skin burns, dandruff, skin discoloration, stretch marks and dry skin, just to name a few.There are many benefits to using shea butter on your skin so its an easy yes!
Shea butter is an effective skin softener, keeping the skin moisturized and smooth due to its high levels of lipids and vitamin E. It can be used on the face and body and reduces inflammation, is filled with antioxidants, has antimicrobial properties all while helping to prevent signs of ageing.
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What The Research Says
Cocoa butter might smell good and feel luxurious when you rub it on your body, but there isnt much proof that it will improve your skins appearance. When it comes to treating scars and stretch marks, so far the research isnt very compelling. Recent research on using cocoa butter for stretch marks suggests that it doesnt work any better than an inactive or placebo cream.
Some research does suggest that cocoa butter has the potential to prevent and treat skin diseases. It may also protect the skin from damage that can lead to premature aging. These effects still need to be confirmed by future studies.
How To Remove Dark Spots With Cocoa Butter
First and foremost, start with good quality 100% pure cocoa butter to get the maximum results. As this is the most concentrated form of butter it has the potential to yield the best results for your skin. You can then begin the process by thoroughly washing and exfoliating the skin to remove the dead cells and letting cocoa butter go deep into the layers of your skin.
Remember never to exfoliate too hard as it can do more harm than good. Then apply the cocoa butter directly to the skin and let it soak in it for a few minutes. Then, go ahead with your regular moisturizer to improve the effectiveness of both.
If you stick with it daily after a shower and before sleeping, you will begin to see gradual results within a few months.
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Best Multipurpose: Vaseline Skin Protectant
One of the best topicals for eczema is Vaseline ointment,” says dermatologist Evan Rieder, MD. “Though it can be greasy, nothing protects the skin like it. One tip I give to my patients who are really suffering from itchy, dry skin or eczema is to apply Vaseline to their arms and legs before they go to bed and wrap with socks and gloves or Saran wrap. The occlusive barrier allows the skin to recover through the night and alleviates concerns about getting work clothing messy during the days.
What Is Kokum Butter And What Are Its Benefits
First off, did you know that the first cold cream recipe ever published dates all the way back to 150 A.D.?
Although the green skincare movement is relatively new, people around the world have been using natural substances to treat their skin and hair for thousands of years. One of those natural substances, kokum butter, is making a comeback in the skincare world and you need to know about it.
You can find kokum butter in some natural and organic skincare products or even use it to make your own DIY products. But, before you do, youll want to hear about what it can do for your skin and hair. Keep reading to find out.
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How Do You Apply Cocoa Butter To Your Face
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The Science Behind Coconut Oil And Eczema
Out of all the natural ingredients used to treat eczema, coconut oil has the most scientific research to back up its legitimacy.
An article published in January 2018 in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that coconut oil is effective at reducing the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other pathogens.
Another 2018 study found that coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the skin.
Although multiple disease types have been addressed in the research behind coconut oil, there was one study in particularly that focused specifically on children with eczema.
Results of that study, published in the December 2013 issue of International Journal of Dermatology, revealed that virgin coconut oil applied topically to the skin for eight weeks improved skin hydration for children with eczema.
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Can Shea Butter Be Frozen
Shea butter can be frozen. In many cases, this is done after mixing the butter with other ingredients. If you want to firm the products you have just made, you should not immediately place it in a freezer. Make sure you transfer your butters into cool containers and use the refrigerator. Once the shea butter turns back into a smooth fat again, you can freeze it without harming it.
If you happen to have 100% Shea butter for your cosmetic use, chances are that you will be looking for ways to make sure that it lasts as long as possible. Simple things such as making sure that the container the butter is in is correctly closed once you are done using it. You should also make it a habit to prevent water from contaminating the Shea butter since this might lead to the growth of mold. Using high quality Shea butter also helps.
A large number of people consider freezing as a way of keeping the Shea butter from becoming rancid. This is an easy process you only need to place the Shea butter in a container and then put it in the freezer. You should make efforts to ensure that any thawing ice does not enter the cream, thus contaminating it.
In summary, it is true that you can use freezing as a method of keeping Shea butter fresh. However, you should also remember that other things such as sealing the container properly and making sure that the product you buy is of high quality also help, and you should insist on this.
The Best Products With Cocoa Butter
Aspen Naturals Raw Cocoa Butter is unrefined and perfect for making your own lip balm and lotion. When you make your own, you do know exactly what you’re putting on your skin.
This particular product has been on store shelves since the 1980s, so it’s clearly beloved. You can thank beta-carotene, squalane, and, of course, cocoa butter, for its continued popularity. The quick-dry, non-greasy cream is perfect for anywhere on your body, which makes it great for a gym bag or a beach bag.
The Cococare Cocoa Butter Stick is a good one to try if you’re looking into the ingredient it’s made of 100 percent cocoa butter and is super affordable. Use it on your lips, cuticles, elbowsanywhere you could think it would help.
Eve Lom’s cleanser is a beauty editor favorite, and one of the first cleansing balms people really fell in love with. It’s a great cleanser thanks to essential oils like clove and eucalyptus , but it’s also super nourishing due to its inclusion of cocoa butter.
- Can cocoa butter cause breakouts?
If you’re prone to acne, proceed with caution when using cocoa butter as it can clog pores.
- Does research support the benefits of using cocoa butter on skin?
No studies have proven the benefits of cocoa butter in skincare most of the benefits are anecdotal.
- Can cocoa butter help with scars?
Yes, cocoa butter can help with the appearance of scars less than two years old.
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Using Cocoa Butter For Your Face
You can apply cocoa butter to your skin once or multiple times per day.
Using cocoa butter might improve the overall health and appearance of the skin on your face. Moisture, elasticity, and sun protection are all desirable attributes for keeping skin looking healthy.
Since pure cocoa butter becomes oily when melted, it would be good to try as a natural makeup remover. Thicker cocoa butter, closer to room temperature, may work well on dry lips.
How To Use Cocoa Butter
Youll often see cocoa butter as an ingredient in body lotions and creams. Because its edible, its also an additive in some lip balms. Many cocoa butter products have added sunscreen or vitamins. You can rub one of these cocoa butter products on your skin or lips every day as part of your skin care regimen.
Many cocoa butter lotions and other products contain only a small amount of cocoa butter, along with other ingredients and additives. If youre looking for purity, buy it in stick form, which contains 100 percent cocoa butter. Or, if youre concerned about additives, get a piece of whole, unrefined cocoa butter and melt it in hot water to make your own products.
Some do-it-yourselfers have gone beyond basic creams and lotions. Theyve created their own home lines of cocoa butter skin care products. Some people combine cocoa butter with various oilssuch as coconut or vitamin E oiland use the mixture as a moisturizing shampoo. Others use it to make their own shaving lotion.
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What Does Shea Butter Do
Shea butter has saturated fats, such as oleic, palmitic, arachidic, linoleic, and stearic acids . The fatty acids, stearic and palmitic acids, help repair the lost lipids in our skins barrier, or stratum corneum. If the skins barrier is not functioning optimally, this can lead to infection and dehydration. Shea butter is a great emollient moisturizer and barrier repair cream which is non-comedogenic.
Shea butter is also a potent antioxidant because it contains vitamins A, C, and E, which help to rebuild collagen and protect the skin from premature aging by the sun These antioxidants scavenge up free radicals produced by the sun and get rid of them so they do not cause damage to your collagen or DNA.
Since shea butter contains oleic acid, it may even have some healing properties useful in the treatment of burn wounds .
Shea butter is anti-inflammatory as well, which makes it useful in the treatment of eczema . It stops the production of inflammatory cells and even some tumor cells. This anti-inflammatory effect is in part due to the linoleic acid it contains.
Also, it has a low SPF which can help protect against UV radiation from the sun. It should not be used as a true sunscreen because the SPF is too low to afford adequate protection.
Something To Be Mindful About
Many products advertising that they contain the goodness of shea butter unfortunately do not contain enough of it for your skin to benefit from it. To make matters worse, because of its origins, you also want to make sure that your shea butter is ethically sourced and is Fairtrade so know where it comes from and where its made.
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Cocoa Butter Bath Milk
This wonderful blend of cocoa butter silk and powdered milk will enhance a relaxing bath. Were using the brittle texture of cocoa butter to blitz it into a fine powder with the milk powder, creating a beautiful chocolaty flavored powder thats practically hot cocoa for your tub. Combine it with a hearty dose of Epsom salts and an excellent book for optimal results.
Palmers Cocoa Butter Lotion Eczema
Only humectants moisturize the skin. Palmers cocoa butter softens and soothes them when they are dry, scabby and irritated, but does not make them less visible. I did switch it up a bit and used half mango butter and half unrefined shea butter. A reviewer with a sun allergy that leaves her elbows red and itchy finally found something that smells amazing and keeps her skin clear and itch-free. You can also make this lotion without using any essential oils. Other divisions within johnson and johnson consumer companies, inc, including the aveeno brand and neosporin brand, manufacture consumer products that help treat eczema, including aveeno eczema therapy moisturizing cream, aveeno baby eczema therapy moisturizing cream, aveeno baby eczema therapy soothing bath treatment, and neosporin essentials eczema care. Another beautiful organic body oil from french girl organics that is sure to make you the center of attention! Hello, i am very interested in making your coconut oil free lotion but i have a question that i was hoping you could help me with. I tried another homemade lotion recipe with beeswax and i found it to be too hard to spread for my taste. This is the best lotion you will ever use in your life!
On that note i am going to share with you and your readers a recipe that i have used many times for homemade lotion. It is an excellent all-over-the-body moisturizer and after tanning butter.
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Weleda Skin Food Body Butter
If youre looking for an all-over moisturizing cream with both cocoa and shea butter, give this body butter a try.
Certified as a natural cosmetic product, this cream is free of synthetic preservatives, colorants, fragrances, or raw materials derived from mineral oils.
The thick consistency means a little goes a long way.
Is Cocoa Butter Good For Hair
Cocoa butter is good for hair growth since it can keep the hair smooth and healthier in the process. Like coconut oil, cocoa butter has softening and healing properties that will make the look shinier as it grows. Its fragrantly sweet smell keeps the hair smelling good at all times.
However, nothing can be further from the truth. If you have natural cocoa butter, you can do more than just applying it on your skin. One way to do this is to use it to treat your hair. The fact that cocoa butter is extremely moisturizing means that it will keep your skin soft and supple, and will make it look much healthier as well. Of course, this depends on the proper application of the cocoa butter, particularly if you are using it when you have long hair.
In addition to keeping the skin hydrated, cocoa butter also makes the skin strong. One of the commonest causes of hair loss in both men and women is having brittle hair. This can be due to many factors including using the wrong hair care product which strips the hair of all its moisture. By using cocoa butter on your hair, you will be reducing the rate at which this breakage occurs.
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