Chocolate has been loved by everyone since childhood, people know about its beneficial properties, for example, a large number of endorphins that improve mood. In recent years, girls have appreciated the use of chocolate and chocolate tree fruits in cosmetology. Anti-cellulite chocolate wraps, face masks - the active use of cocoa butter is noticeable everywhere. The component is popular because it is a natural product - fat, which is obtained from cocoa beans.
Benefits of cocoa butter
The composition of fat contains many antioxidants, which opens up the possibility of using cocoa butter as a natural stimulant of the immune system. A high concentration of oleic acid strengthens and cleanses blood vessels, promotes blood renewal, and lowers cholesterol levels. The components include palmitic acid, which helps beneficial substances penetrate deep into the skin.
Oleic acid in the composition of the oil helps to strengthen the epidermis, prevents the appearance of stretch marks. The content of vitamin F helps to moisturize the skin and the production of natural collagen, and vitamin A accelerates the fight against skin damage (scratches, cracks). Due to the high content of polyphenols, the development of allergic diseases is prevented.
How to use the oil
An oil extract from cocoa fruits can be useful for the skin of the face and body, for hair, for the treatment of certain diseases - this is a real natural pharmacy. It is better to store cocoa butter solid, and melt it in a water bath before use or just warm it up in your hands. You can use pure oil without additives: in cold weather, it will perfectly cure cracked lips and hands, if lubricated at night.
The oil mixture is suitable for massage - relaxing or anti-cellulite. But more useful properties will appear if you mix the oily base with other components to create natural cosmetics. Depending on which supplement you choose, you can create your own cream, scrub or mask. To enhance the nutritional effect of cocoa, mix with other oils, such as olive and burdock.
For hair
Beauty and shine will return to you quickly, as the oil nourishes the hair follicle and strengthens the hair from the inside. The easiest way to use cocoa butter is to rub it into the scalp half an hour before washing. Complex treatment becomes more effective if you make a mask. There are several recipes:
- Yolk mask. Melt a tablespoon of oil extract from cocoa fruits, the same amount of burdock oil and kefir, then add egg yolk. Apply the mixture evenly to the hair, wrap with a bag, then with a warm towel. Wash off after an hour and a half without using shampoo.
- Rosemary mask. You will need 50 grams of dried rosemary. Pour half a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain. Mix the tincture with two tablespoons of melted cocoa butter and apply to your hair. Leave the mask on for two hours. Rinse thoroughly with shampoo.
For face
Vitamin A softens the skin, helps heal cracks, stimulates the production of collagen, so cocoa butter is widely used in cosmetology. The mask can be selected depending on the needs of the skin:
- Moisturizing for all skin types. Mix a teaspoon of melted cocoa butter, a teaspoon of condensed milk and fresh fruit puree, such as strawberries or bananas. Leave the mask for a quarter of an hour, rinse with cool water.
- Against wrinkles. Chop parsley and mix with a spoonful of melted cocoa butter. Apply with patting movements along the massage lines of the face. Leave for half an hour. Wash off with cool water.
- Active hydration. Mix a spoonful of melted cocoa butter, a spoonful of honey, egg yolk and some fresh carrot juice. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, wash your face and wipe the skin with an ice cube.
From stretch marks
The high concentration of vitamin F and oleic acid in the oil has many beneficial properties: it improves skin elasticity, makes it softer, eliminates minor defects. Therefore, massage with cocoa is an excellent remedy for stretch marks. The procedure will help smooth stretch marks and make them invisible, prevent the appearance of new ones. Cocoa butter from stretch marks during pregnancy should be used with caution - do a light massage of the abdomen every two days. The thighs can be massaged more actively.
For body
Skin needs regular exfoliation. A prerequisite for this procedure is skin steamed after a bath or sauna. Try making some scrubs:
- For face. Mix with two tablespoons of cocoa butter a handful of crushed nuts (any), a tablespoon of honey, a handful of oatmeal. Warm up for a couple. Cool the finished scrub, roll into small balls - for one application. The scrub will heat up on contact with the skin. Massage for two minutes, rinse and generously lubricate the face with a nourishing cream.
- For body. Mix two tablespoons of granulated sugar, the same amount of coffee grounds. Add a tablespoon of preheated cocoa butter, mix, cool. Store in a cool place. Massage intensively and quickly from contact with steamed skin, the sugar dissolves. This scrub helps in the fight against cellulite.
