Since day one, this week's feature ingredient Cocoa Butter has been one of our favorites here at Cosmic.
Cocoa butter is a natural, plant-based fat produced from the cocoa bean.
Unlike shea butter (more about shea butter here), cocoa butter has a familiar smell, similar to chocolate, which most people find pretty pleasant.
Cocoa butter has a long history of use in skin care, dating back to ancient civilizations in Central and South America. I've read that during the Aztec and Mayan times, cocoa beans had more value than gold and were used as a currency. The Mayans and Aztecs used cocoa butter to moisturize and heal inflammatory skin conditions and even believed it to have spiritual significance.
Cocoa is rich in antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and protect the skin from damage. Considered an occlusive, one of cocoa butter's most notable benefits is its ability to protect and moisturize skin. Occlusives block water loss from the skin by creating a barrier to help lock in moisture and keep the skin feeling soft and smooth. Another benefit of cocoa butter is its ability to improve skin elasticity and firmness. This is due to its high levels of phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that have been shown to boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity.
Cocoa butter is considered to be hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin, making it suitable for all skin types, and yesssss that means even you, my sensitive skin girls!
Cocoa butter is firm in texture and doesn't melt at room temperature, so you'll rarely find it for sale in its raw form for at home skin care. It's a popular ingredient used in combinations with others in a wide range of skin healing products, including lotions, creams, and balms, because of its ability to protect and improve the skin's overall health. When it comes to using cocoa butter to improve the health of your skin, it is best used as a moisturizer. Look for products that use pure cocoa butter, and avoid any products that contain added fragrances, colors, or other harsh chemicals, which can irritate the skin.
So whether you're dealing with dry, irritated skin or simply looking for a way to improve your skin's overall health, I invite you to try cocoa butter in Cosmic, organic face & body soaps, organic lip balms, select tub teas, and body frostings. Made with only the finest natural ingredients, our products will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and happy.
