Cocoa Butter Uses for Skin and Hair (DIY Recipes Included!)

Cocoa butter is extracted from roasted cacao beans. It contains natural saturated fats and anti-oxidants that help in softening and healing the skin. Cocoa butter uses range from being used standalone or in combination with other ingredients to create face and body creams, body butter, lip balms and more.

In this post, we cover:

• Top Benefits of Cocoa Butter for Skin
• How to Use Cocoa Butter for Skin (DIY recipes included)
• Precautions When Using Cocoa Butter on Face
• Top 10 Cocoa Butter Benefits for Hair
• How to Use Cocoa Butter for Hair

Top 8 Cocoa Butter Benefits for Skin

Cocoa butter is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins A and E, and fatty acids, making it the perfect multi-tasker for your skin.

1. Hydrates and deeply nourishes the skin
2. Helps in combating skin irritations, such as eczema and dermatitis
3. Diminishes the appearance of stretch marks and scars
4. Is easily absorbed by the skin and is non-greasy
5. Prevents skin from becoming dry and flaky
6. Fights signs of aging
7. Is a natural remedy for burns and rashes (when used in pure form)
8. Can be used as a natural makeup remover

Do you have dry skin? Try out these 6 simple FACE MASKS FOR DRY SKIN!

How to Use Cocoa Butter for Skin

From soap bars to body lotions, uses of cocoa butter for skincare are numerous.

DIY Cocoa body scrub and butter recipes

The following are some do-it-yourself recipes for making cocoa butter creams and lotions at home.

• Cocoa butter body scrub:

  a. Melt 1/8 cup cocoa butter
  b. Add ½ cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoon cocoa powder, and ¼ cup almond oil
  c. Can add any essential oil or 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder to enhance fragrance (optional)
  d. Store in a jar and use as and when you like it

• Cocoa butter body butter:

  a. Melt ½ cup cocoa butter and ¼ cup shea butter
  b. Mix 3 tablespoons almond oil and ½ teaspoon Vitamin E oil
  c. Can add 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder (optional)
  d. Pour into a jar, let it cool and apply

• Whipped cocoa body butter

  a. Melt ¾ cup cocoa butter and ¼ cup coconut oil
  b. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes
  c. Whip the mixture for 5 minutes till it becomes silky smooth
  d. Store in a jar (will last 3 months) and start using

DIY Cocoa butter lip balm recipes

1. Cocoa butter and beeswax

   a. Melt 1 teaspoon grated cocoa butter, ½ teaspoon grated beeswax, and ½ teaspoon almond or walnut oil
   b. Stir and store in a container to cool
   c. Rub a small amount on your lips to use
   d. Add a flavour by mixing vanilla, sweet orange, or raspberry essential oils

DIY Cocoa butter face cream

1.    Cocoa butter face moisturiser

a. Mix the following in a bowl – ½ cup coconut oil, 1 tablespoon cocoa butter, 2                       teaspoon almond oil, 5 drops lavender oil
b. Whip for 5-7 minutes until the mix is light and fluffy
c. Store in a jar (in refrigerator during summers) and use every time you wash your                  face

2.    Cocoa butter anti-ageing face cream

a. Melt ¼ cup each of cocoa butter and shea butter
b. Remove from flame or microwave and mix ¼ cup safflower oil
c. Add the essential oils — 20 drops frankincense oil, 15 drops geranium oil and 10                   drops rose otto oil
d. Refrigerate for 1 hour till it is of semi-solid consistency
e. Whip it till becomes light and fluffy
f. Store in a jar and apply on face every night before hitting the bed

3.   Cocoa butter anti-ageing night cream

a. Melt 1/4th cup cocoa butter and 1 tablespoon jojoba oil together
b. Mix 1 teaspoon honey once the above ingredients have melted and refrigerate for               15 mins
c. Whip the mixture and add 4 drops each of geranium and lavender essential oils
d. Whip again till the cream is white and fluffy
e. Store in a jar and use pea-sized dollop every night before going to bed.

Precautions When Using Cocoa Butter on Face

As cocoa butter is high in saturated fats and fatty acids, there are certain thumb rules to keep in mind when using cocoa butter. Applying cocoa butter on your face 1-2 times in a day is okay if you have an extremely dry skin. However, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, high amounts of cocoa butter might clog your pores leading to more breakouts.

Top 10 Cocoa Butter Benefits for Hair

Considering that cocoa butter is one of the best naturally occurring emollient, it’s benefits to hair are no less. The following are the benefits of cocoa butter for hair growth and maintenance:

1. Moisturises hair
2. Makes scalp soft, improving hair growth
3. Adds shine to hair, making them glossy
4. Makes hair manageable
5. Strengthens hair shaft
6. Reduces hairfall
7. Improves hair texture affected by chemical and heat treatments
8. Increases hair volume
9. Heals inflamed scalp as it has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties
10. Protects hair from chlorine and UV rays

[Also Read: Is Hair Spa Good For Hair?]

How to Use Cocoa Butter for Hair

Cocoa butter can be used in multiple ways, such as:

1. Pre-shampoo treatment: Melt the butter, and massage it into your roots, scalp and strands. Leave it on for 10 mins or so and wash off with lukewarm water. Note that cocoa butter remains solid at room temperature, so don’t leave it on your hair for more than 15 minutes. However, if you forget the timer and the butter solidifies, you can apply steam or blow dry hair (just a little) to melt it.
2. During-wash hair conditioner: Using cocoa butter as rinse-off conditioner is another great way. Simply mix a small drop with your current conditioner and apply to the ends your hair, avoid roots and scalp. Wash it off after 2-3 minutes. Don’t use a lot of butter as it might make your hair greasy.
3. Leave-in conditioner: If you are using cocoa butter in any of the above-mentioned steps, then you can skip it here. If not, then here goes. Use a tad bit of melted cocoa butter (you can add a few drops of jojoba oil) and apply to the length of your hair. It will help tame the frizz and add shine.

How to Make Cocoa Butter Hair Conditioner

There are multiple DIY cocoa butter conditioner recipes, here are some easy ones you can try at home:

1. Recipe #1: Cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil
   This does wonders to curly and wavy hair by adding volume to the curls.
   a. Melt 2 tablespoons each of cocoa butter and coconut oil together.
   b. Add jojoba oil and let the mixture cool
   c. Whip it for 4-5 minutes once the mixture starts to solidify
   d. Apply right away or store for later use
2. Recipe #2: Cocoa butter, jojoba oil, honey
   This is ideal for extremely and unruly dry hair.
   a. Melt 6 teaspoons of cocoa butter
   b. Add 3 teaspoons each of jojoba oil and honey
   c. Leave it for 4-5 mins till the mixture starts to become solid
   d. Whip and apply to your hair
3. Recipe #3: Cocoa butter, coconut oil, beeswax, olive oil
   This works as a deep conditioning hair mask and can be applied every week.
   a. Melt 1/4th cup cocoa butter, 1/4th cup coconut oil and 5 tablespoons of beeswax
   b. Add olive oil once melted and store
   c. Whip it before application and leave it on for 15-20 mins
   
   Note, you may have to adjust the quantity of products depending on your hair length.

If you have more DIY cocoa butter recipes, share them with us in the comments below!