The use of cocoa butter is not limited to the walls of a confectionery factory; a herbal product has settled in modern cosmetology and home skin care. The rich composition of cocoa fruit extract contains useful fatty acids and a group of vitamins that increase the elasticity of the epidermis and have a tonic effect on blood vessels.
There is a refined and unrefined product based on fatty acids; additional processing of the oil generates a refined composition - less valuable in terms of nutritional properties, but safer for use on sensitive and thin skin. Mostly on sale there is an unrefined product and is in great demand among modern beauties.
Composition and useful properties
For the production of a valuable nutrient, cocoa beans are used - fragrant and incredibly rich in composition; the thick consistency of the product is achieved by cold pressing them. The finished cocoa extract is saturated with fatty acids, which have one or another effect on the largest organ of our body - the skin:
- Oleic acid as part of the cocoa bean extract, it helps to retain moisture inside each cell, that is, it acts as an excellent natural moisturizer. It is used to treat problematic and oily skin prone to rashes, so brown extract will be useful for caring for this type of epidermis. In addition, oleic acids restore the outer shell of the epidermis, smooth it and give a pleasant glow without oily sheen.
- Palmitic acid as part of pomace from cocoa fruits, it has the ability to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis; it is not found in all vegetable oils, and it is especially abundant in cocoa extract. Omega-7 activates the regeneration process, restores elasticity and firmness, provides strength and a smooth surface of the epidermis. Useful acid decreases with age in a woman's skin, so it is important to replenish its supply with cosmetics from outside.
- Stearic acid in the composition of the plant extract, it acts as an auxiliary element and moisturizes the skin, allows the remaining components of the cocoa butter of the fruit to penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis.
- Polyphenols act as components of youth: they consist of several thousand elements and are a natural protector of plant fruits and have the same effect on our skin. They are excellent anti-aging supplements and natural antioxidants, in addition, the substances stimulate the metabolic processes in the skin and regenerate the integument, protect the skin from adverse effects such as bacteria and microbes that cause inflammation and irritation.
Features of use
Cocoa fruit oil has found a very wide application; in cosmetology, the finished product is used to treat the skin and eliminate small external defects on it, for nutrition and basic care of the epidermis. Let's figure out what advantages the product has in care:
- Cocoa extract is used for general facial skin care: it nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis of any type, from problematic youth to age, prone to the formation of deep wrinkles.
- The cosmetic product is quickly absorbed into the skin and does not leave a greasy sheen on its surface with a small amount of it; in any case, after applying the composition to the skin, it is necessary to remove the excess - blot your face with a dry cloth or towel.
- The herbal remedy is indicated for the age-related type of the epidermis: the oil nourishes well and saturates with useful palmitic acid, which is synthesized by our skin, but over time, its production slows down and there is a need for this component. Fragrant oil will keep the youth and elasticity of the skin of the face, neck and décolleté.
- Cocoa butter is used in home care for problem skin, as it has an antiseptic effect and fights bacteria that cause unpleasant inflammation.
- Regular use of the product will normalize the production of sebum and prevent clogging of pores.
- Applying the composition in the summer will protect the skin from UV radiation.
- Using a product for problematic or post-acne skin will make pinkish marks less noticeable due to its ability to brighten the skin and even out its tone.
- The herbal extract is used as a standalone product - rinse-off or leave-on, as part of homemade cosmetic masks and even ready-made store products - just add a little melted butter inside a jar of cream, shampoo or body lotion.
- Cocoa bean oil is used to treat burns in medicine, respectively, it restores the structure of the epidermis well.
- Fragrant cocoa extract is used to get rid of scars and stretch marks, prevents the appearance of new ones with regular use on the body.
- The benefits and harms of the finished composition are determined individually; before using a pure product, test for an allergic reaction, and then check its effectiveness on the rest of the body and especially the face.
The properties and use in cosmetology of cocoa extract are practically unlimited, which allows you to fully trust the product and use it in regular epidermal care: every day or several times a week as part of cosmetic masks or as a pure product.
More about the beneficial properties of cocoa butter in the next video.
Cocoa fruit cosmetic oil is easy to use at home as a standalone product - an indelible emulsion, and as part of other ready-made or do-it-yourself products. The use of natural cocoa butter as part of a homemade mask will provide high-quality and complete care for the surface of the face, and additional components of the composition will determine the direction of the home cosmetic product.
- It is recommended to apply oil or a composition with its use on previously cleansed skin: this will ensure the full operation of the cosmetic product and will not cause irritation on the skin and will not lead to blockage of pores.
- Beforehand, it is recommended to melt the oil in a water bath to obtain a liquid texture: it is more convenient to apply and it is the liquid consistency that has the best penetrating properties.
- Pure vegetable oil can be used as an overnight leave-in mask: apply it on a pre-cleansed face and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then blot your face with a dry cloth.
- The wash-off mask can contain pure cocoa extract or include additional ingredients to expand the possibilities of home formulation.
- Don't limit yourself to just using a fatty compound: melt some oil and add it to your hair shampoo, body cream or face cream - a little trick will increase the spectrum of store-bought products.
- Mix the melted cocoa butter, coconut oil and olive extract together, preheating them in a water bath. Dilute the composition with mineral water to obtain a pleasant consistency and apply to the skin with a cotton pad. Leave the mask for half an hour and remove after warm water, without using soap, if the procedure is carried out in the evening before going to bed.
- To maintain the elasticity of the epidermis, take cocoa fruit extract and finely chopped parsley as a basis. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and leave the mask in the bowl for about 15 minutes.
For problematic skin, the use of a mask based on cocoa butter is also indicated:
- Mix together melted cocoa butter, cucumber pulp (with juice), aloe extract and a few drops of any essential oil with anti-inflammatory effect.
For any skin type
Use brown fragrant oil as a base and add fatty components to it: essential components or pure vegetable analogues. For example, extract of tea tree, propolis, lemon have anti-inflammatory properties and perfectly disinfect the surface of the epidermis. Flower oils moisturize the skin well, and fatty acids in the extract of olive, almond, coconut, shea and other oils perfectly nourish dry and dehydrated skin.
For lips and eyelids
The use of cocoa butter is not limited to the surface of the epidermis on the face: the product copes well with peeling on the lips and skin of the eyelids. Apply a clean product to nourish the thin skin of the eyelids or sensitive skin of the lips and leave for a while to absorb and blot with a tissue after.
By the way, based on the fatty extract, you can make a lip scrub: melt a little oil in a water bath and add sugar (white or brown), salt or any other small abrasive element. Apply the finished product to cleansed lips and massage for 20-30 seconds. Rinse off with warm water.
For body
Cocoa butter can be used to care for the body: its individual coarsened areas or as a whole. Use a clean product, melted in a bain-marie, to apply to clean skin and focus on dry areas such as feet, hands, cuticles and nails.
The use of cosmetic oil is possible as a basis for a scrub: ground coffee, sugar, sea salt are suitable as an abrasive for a home remedy.
And now the video is a recipe for a mask using cocoa butter.
