Whether you know it or not, you’ve probably eaten cocoa butter already. It’s an all-natural oil extracted from cocoa beans, commonly used as the fat source to make chocolate (yes, even healthy chocolate!). This is what gives chocolate its appealing, melt-in-the-mouth smoothness. Additionally, like most other healthy fatty acid sources, cocoa butter is good for healing dry and sensitive skin. You’ll probably see it added to many beauty products. If you want to learn more about this amazing product, give this article a read.
What is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa beans, as we know, are native to various parts of South and Central America. They have been harvested for many centuries now to make food and natural skin creams. Due to their mild scent, smooth consistency and ultra-hydrating properties, cocoa butter is very well-known throughout today’s beauty industry.
Another astronishing attribute of cocoa butter is that the beans have a lot of antioxidants, including noteworthy amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols. Some of these antioxidants stay in the butter even after it’s been detached from the beans solids. This makes it essential in improving cardiovascular health, lowering inflammation and boosting immunity, despite the fact that it’s a saturated fat.
What is in Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is considered a healthy fat, and it typically goes through a saturation process, similar to coconut oil. The saturated fats make up 57-64% of the entire fat content, although this depends on the batch. Among the various types of fatty acids are:
- Lauric acid, with about 0% to 1%
- Arachidic acid, with about 1%
- Myristic acid, with 0% to 4%
- Palmitic acid, with 24% to 30%
- Stearic acid, with about 24% to 37%
What makes the cocoa butter different is that it is sometimes considered a pure butter, meaning it isn’t heated to high temperatures during manufacturing. This typically preserves more of its healthy fats as well as some other compounds naturally present in the beans.
Health Benefits of Cocoa Butter
Here are some of the most surprising health benefits of cocoa butter:
- Helps boost immunity. Studies show that the polyphenols in cocoa butter are essential in boosting the immunity. This helps the body fight cell mutations, DNA damage and inflammation.
- Helps improve heart health. The polyphenolic properties in cocoa butter lower inflammatory markers connected to atherosclerosis, which is why cocoa butter is promoted as a famous anti-inflammatory food.
- Helps treat mouth sores. You can use cocoa butter to treat painful mouth sores and recurring blisters by keeping your mouth moisturized all the time.
- Helps fight the signs of ageing. Cocoa butter has compounds known as mass polyphenols, which help diminish the signs of aging and soothing sensitive skin that has rashes or dermatitis. Moreover, polyphenols fight various chronic diseases, skin degeneration and more.
- Helps prevent dry and peeling skin. Cocoa butter is an excellent skin moisturizer, not only hydrating the skin but helping it heal inside and out. Since it’s a great source of antioxidants, it vastly improves skin’s health.
Cocoa Butter vs. Coconut Oil
Cocoa butter and coconut oil actually have the same hydrating effects, and the benefits that coconut oil offers skin can mimic those of cocoa butter. Nevertheless, coconut oil possesses additional benefits, including antibacterial properties. This can make coconut oil more practical to keep at home.
Moreover, coconut oil has fatty acids in it which keep skin clean and healthy. These acids include caprylic acid, lauric acid and capric acid. It melts when you rub it into your skin, and it has a pleasant and smooth texture and smell.
