Cocoa Butter, also called Cacao Butter, is the cream-colored fat extracted from cacao seeds (cocoa beans) and used to add flavor, scent, and smoothness to chocolate, cosmetics, tanning oil, soap, and a multitude of topical lotions and creams. Cocoa Butter has been called the ultimate moisturizer, and has been used to keep skin soft and supple for centuries. It is one of the most stable, highly concentrated natural fats known, and melts at body temperature so that it is readily absorbed into the skin. Cocoa Butter is often recommended for treatment of skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. When applied topically, it creates a barrier between sensitive skin and the environment and also helps retain moisture. In addition, Cocoa Butter contains cocoa mass polyphenol (CMP), a substance that inhibits the production of the immuno globulin IgE. IgE is known to aggravate symptoms of both dermatitis and asthma.
Cocoa butter contains a large proportion of minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper and iron, all of which are in a highly bioavailable form that render them more effective than commercial vitamin supplements. Not only that, though, it also contains tryptophan, involved in the formation of serotonin, the 'feel good' neurotransmitter, and also dopamine and phenylethylamine, all good substances. It is brain food as well as food for your skin.
Cocoa Butter contains a number of different antioxidants that can kill off a wide range of different free radicals that destroy your skin cells and lead to premature aging. This makes it an ideal skin care product. Free radicals destroy cells. They are organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases. These molecules are very unstable, therefore they look to bond with other molecules, destroying their vigor and perpetuating the detrimental process. They do this through a process known as oxidation, which antioxidants can prevent. Cocoa Butter contains Vitamin E, which is a strong antioxidant - the strongest of all the antioxidant vitamins in fact, and can easily kill off hydrogen peroxide and any other oxidizing agent. It also contains phytochemicals (plant chemicals) such as flavanoids that are also strong antioxidants. Polyphenols are very effective at neutralizing free radicals, and the cocoa mass polyphenols are particularly effective. In fact, Cocoa Butter contains a much higher antioxidant concentration then even blueberries and other so-called superfoods.
Cocoa Butter also contains fatty acids in these percentages:
Oleic (Omega 9) - 33-39%
Palmitic - 24-30%
Stearic - 30-36%
Linoleic (Omega 6) - 1-3%
Cocoa Butter Contains:
Stearic Acid
Palmitic Acid
Oleic Acid
Linoleic Acid
Polyphenols
Antioxidants
Theobromine
Vitamin E
Manganese
Calcium
Iron
Zinc
Potassium
Copper
Flavanols
Tryptophan
Dopamine
Sterols and Methylsterols
Tannins
Phenylethylamine
Xanthines
Caffeine
Vitamin K
"Cocoa butter can be applied both to scarring and the skin surrounding it. In addition to softening and moisturizing your skin, it will smooth out the tone and texture of it, making scars look less noticeable. Furthermore, applying cocoa butter topically on a daily basis can help facilitate repairing damaged skin. In order for the body to regrow skin tissue, the skin must be well hydrated. Therefore, cocoa butter's unique ability to lock moisture in at the deeper levels of the skin make it particularly beneficial as a treatment for scars. Because scarring is permanent, no amount of topical treatments will ever make it disappear completely; however, daily use of cocoa butter can prevent scars from forming in the first place, particularly during pregnancy. Massaging it onto your growing belly will keep your skin soft and pliable, which will allow your skin to stretch without tearing."
Cocoa butter has been used for centuries to help manage dry skin, eczema, stretch marks, scars and more. Mixed with other oils and butters makes it easier to apply and gives your skin added nutrients and benefit. Body butters are great all times of the year. In the Summer they are used to keep skin looking sexy and smooth and heal the harm done from sun damage. In the winter, body butters are perfect to keep the dry, scaly skin at bay. With all of the benefits from all natural oils and butters, why choose anything else for your skin?