In addition to cocoa powder, there is also cocoa butter. Today we will talk about its properties and application in cosmetology.
Cocoa butter is obtained by pressing the beans of the cocoa tree. This is a fairly hard and brittle substance, which becomes liquid and oily after heating, and it is enough to heat it up to 35 degrees. Cocoa butter is known in the culinary and cosmetic industries. It has a pleasant aroma and numerous beneficial properties.
Beneficial properties of cocoa butter:
1. Natural natural antioxidant
2. Healing and toning effect
3. Strengthening capillaries
4. Prevention of oxidative processes
5. Reducing the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases
6. Protecting the heart muscle from weakening
7. Reducing the likelihood of developing cancer
8. Improving collagen synthesis and skin hydration
9. Normalization of cholesterol in the blood
10. Improving blood circulation in the brain
11. Protecting skin from ultraviolet rays
Cocoa butter is used as a fatty base in cosmetics and culinary recipes. It is based on ingredients that improve the condition of the body and create a rejuvenating effect. Cocoa butter is also added to medications - against peeling lips, burns and other skin damage.
Everyone is familiar with a depressive state; for many it occurs in the fall and winter, and for some there are such ailments in the spring. Cocoa butter will help you protect yourself from this disease. With the help of oil, the functioning of the entire body improves.
Is there any harm in eating cocoa butter? Yes, there is, but from overuse, as, indeed, from all other foods, vegetables and fruits, which we sometimes get too carried away with.
If you love candies, chocolate and other products that contain cocoa, you should also be aware of the results of abuse. And here are the main ones - metabolic disorders may occur; appearance excess weight and as a result, acne may appear.
And hence the contraindications of cocoa butter: for those with diabetes; those who are obese or have metabolic disorders, as well as young children (up to one year old), since the oil contains a small amount of caffeine.
Maybe someone will ask, what about allergies? Medical specialists and nutritionists say that cocoa beans themselves will not cause allergies, but we should not forget that when we eat our favorite sweets and other chocolate products, then before you put this tasty morsel in your mouth, it goes through various stages of processing, where other chemical products.
Composition of cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is a vegetable fat. Cocoa products contain the same substances, but in different quantities and ratios. Cocoa butter has the highest fat content - approximately 95%, the remaining 5% is water, biologically active substances of lipid nature (oleic, stearic, lauric, palmitic, linolenic fatty acids) and other substances.
Cocoa powder has the lowest fat content, however, it contains more carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Cocoa powder is rich in vitamins and microelements, as well as biologically active compounds of the protein structure, which includes dopamine and serotonin.
Cocoa beans contain the largest amount of biologically active substances. And so, back to cocoa butter again. Cocoa butter is very fatty, hard, and pale yellow in color. It has a high calorie content. Natural, unprocessed oil is considered the most useful and fragrant. As a result of processing, the product loses some of its properties, and even the aroma partially disappears. Cocoa butter is superior to other natural remedies in its antioxidant properties.
The quality of an oil is determined by its purity from chemicals. It is easy to confuse it with substitutes, which is what dishonest sellers sometimes take advantage of. The oil is solid at 20°C and begins to melt above 35 degrees. If it melts at 20 degrees, then this indicates its poor quality.
When purchasing cocoa butter, you may encounter a rather low-quality product. The most best oil, obtained from cocoa beans grown without chemicals. Its cost is high. The first thing to pay attention to is the color of the oil. As already mentioned, cocoa butter is light yellow in color, but not white. There may be a substitute with white color. The oil has an aromatic cocoa smell. If the oil does not smell, it is also a substitute.
Palm oil with a low cocoa content may be a substitute. Hence the conclusion - do not choose the cheapest oil.
Cocoa butter can be stored in a cool place, and not necessarily in the refrigerator, as long as it is not in direct sunlight. If the room is too hot, you can put it in the refrigerator. Shelf life up to 2 years.
Properties and application in cosmetology
Due to the content of biologically active components in the oil, it is used in cosmetology, for the production of creams, shampoos, soaps and other products, in salon cosmetology - for body, face and hair care. Cocoa butter is used for softening, mainly in the care of dry skin. It is also used for skin rejuvenation.
What are the results of using cocoa butter?
The oil has regenerating and moisturizing properties. It nourishes the skin, smoothes out fine wrinkles, restores cellular structure and strengthens capillary walls. Cocoa butter can eliminate peeling, redness, sagging skin, and promotes the healing of small wounds.
This is what improves immunity. Cocoa butter can also be used as a night cream if your skin is dry. During winter, when going outside in windy and frosty weather, you can lubricate your lips and facial skin with oil. By covering the surface of the skin with a thin film, it protects the skin. Moisturizers with a high water content are not suitable for this purpose.
Cocoa butter can also be used for hands; it nourishes, softens and protects the skin. The oil is suitable for use in home cosmetics. It can also be applied in pure form, and as part of masks. It is suitable for any skin type.
If you want to use it in its pure form, take a piece of oil in your hands and massage it over your skin. The piece will melt and remain on the skin as a greasy layer. But all this will pass quickly, as it is well absorbed. Cocoa butter can also be used for the area around the eyes. There are also other options for using oil at home. Melt the oil a little and add a few drops of it to any face cream.
In the summer, this miracle remedy can be used not only as protection against sun rays, it will also help you achieve a beautiful tan. The last property is best used by those who need a tan.
Recipes with cocoa butter at home
Of course you like the aroma of chocolate. And if you also remember the benefits of oil, then try preparing the following masks.
Mask for nourishing and rejuvenating facial skin
Mix 1 teaspoon of melted cocoa butter, 1 yolk, 1 teaspoon of liquid honey and any fruit juice, add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply to face and neck for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. After this mask, you do not need to apply the cream.
Melted butter can be mixed with the essential oil you like and applied in a thin layer to your face. This procedure will help with particularly dry and flaky skin.
You can prepare a face cream based on cocoa butter. To do this, melt a teaspoon of our product in a water bath, add the same amount of jojoba oil, peach oil, or olive oil. Mix everything, remove from heat and add a few drops of essential oil. Place the container in which the mixture was prepared in cold water for cooling. The cream is ready.
The pleasant aroma of cocoa butter, its softening properties and velvety texture have made it one of the most popular ingredients in cosmetic products. It can be found in lotions, soaps, creams and other types of cosmetics.
The oil can be used to treat chapped skin, to prevent dryness and itching, and to care for lips.
For example, lip balm.
15 ml beeswax, heat 20 ml of cocoa butter until completely dissolved. Add 15 ml of shea butter, which should also dissolve in this mass, 3 drops of honey and 5 ml of sweet almond oil. The balm is ready. It can be used daily.
Body Oil
Melt 1 gram of cocoa butter, add 30 ml of shea butter to it, stir. Then add 12 drops, 15 ml of jojoba oil and 5 drops of vitamin E oil to the resulting mass. Mix everything and transfer the resulting mixture to a dry container, closing it until it cools completely. This oil can be used as a body moisturizer.
If you use natural oil in your home cosmetics, then in a short time you will see amazing results. In almost all homemade masks, just one teaspoon of melted butter is enough.
The most commonly used are masks, wraps and massage. As for hair, the use of oil gives it extraordinary shine, softens it well, and perfectly strengthens the roots, preventing brittleness and hair loss. Hair cared for with this product is easy to style.
Cocoa butter masks can be purchased at pharmacies and cosmetic stores. However, many who have used this oil, contained in products purchased from these sources, say that it cannot be better than homemade oil. What we mean here, of course, is a natural remedy, and not a substitute or counterfeit, which may contain chemical impurities or other components that are unnecessary for our skin.
Hair masks
Rosemary mask
Heat the oil, add the same amount of rosemary tincture to it. To prepare the tincture, take 2 tablespoons of dry rosemary, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew. Use after cooling, after straining. It is better to apply this mask to damp hair 1-2 hours before washing. Then rinse with warm water and shampoo.
Rum mask
A mask made from cocoa butter with the addition of rum warms up well and stimulates hair growth. To do this, mix oil and rum in equal proportions, apply to hair, and rinse with warm water after an hour.
Mask with kefir
Mix cocoa butter, burdock oil and kefir (one tablespoon for each component), add one yolk. Rub the entire mass well and apply to your head - to the skin and hair roots. It is enough to leave it on for 1 – 2 hours, then rinse with shampoo. In general, a mask with fatty oils can be kept for much longer.
You can add oil solutions of vitamins A and E to the masks, 3-5 drops each. You can use various herbal infusions, to which you add 2 teaspoons of cocoa butter. Cocoa butter for skin and hair care is most often recommended for those who have dry skin and hair. And those with oily hair can replace the oil with powder.
Except nutritional benefits, the powder also colors the hair, but more on that another time. This coloring method deserves more detailed study.
Hello, my dear friends, readers and guests!
You can’t prepare homemade cosmetics if you don’t know what properties the substances that make up the cosmetic product you want to prepare have.
So I decided to look at a few of the main components of most homemade cosmetics in more detail.
I suggest starting with the most important component and considering beneficial features oils and various ways its application.
From this article you will learn:
Beneficial properties of cocoa butter and methods of use
Cocoa butter (cocoa butter, cocoa butter) is fat squeezed from cocoa mass - ground beans of the fruit of the chocolate tree. Basics for making chocolate.wiki
Cocoa butter is included in most homemade cosmetics: face and body creams, lipsticks, hard massage bars, anti-cellulite products, lotions, children's cosmetics.
Therefore, it is simply impossible not to know the properties of cocoa butter and how to use it, as well as the features of manufacturing cosmetic preparations based on it!!!
How is cocoa butter obtained?
Cocoa butter is obtained from the fruits of the cocoa tree, and freshly harvested cocoa beans do not have any flavor or taste. aromatic properties, characteristic of chocolate and powder, they have a bitter-tart taste and pale color.
The main producers of cocoa butter are the countries of West Africa: Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Cote d'Ivoire produces about 43 percent of the world's cocoa.
Indonesia, Colombia, Brazil, Malaysia, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic also produce cocoa butter.
Main method of obtaining:
- Seeds extracted from the fruit of the cocoa tree undergo a process called fermentation, resulting in a darker brown color and a "chocolate" smell and taste.
- Next, these seeds are sorted, cleaned, and heat treatment, crushed to the state of grains, which are ground very finely, obtaining grated cocoa, from which, by hot pressing, cocoa butter is obtained, and the cake remaining after pressing is used for preparation.
- The cocoa butter is then refined, depending on the application.
Natural cocoa butter, used in cosmetology, has the highest level of purification and does not contain any chemical or harmful impurities.
One of the best for making homemade cosmetics is virgin cocoa butter - high-quality unrefined cocoa butter.
It is not deodorized, and therefore has a delicious, rich aroma of dark chocolate, and also completely retains all the beneficial properties of cocoa butter.
Physical and chemical properties of cocoa butter
Natural cocoa butter, which is used in cosmetology, has a yellowish cream color and a characteristic subtle, barely noticeable aroma of cocoa beans.
Cocoa butter belongs to solid oils (butters) - Cocoa Butter
At temperatures up to 25-27°C, cocoa butter remains solid in consistency and breaks easily.
Its melting point is 28-34 C degrees, which makes cocoa butter very convenient for use in cosmetology, because upon contact with the skin, whose normal temperature is 36 ° C, cocoa butter begins to melt and is easily absorbed by the skin, immediately relieving its dryness and irritation.
Cocoa butter is one of the most stable, highly concentrated natural fats.
Chemical composition of cocoa beans
Cocoa butter contains unsaturated and saturated fatty acids such as oleic, stearic, lauric, palmitic, linoleic, and arachidic acid.
These acids are partially present in natural skin secretions, and therefore they all play a very important role in the life of our skin (they help moisturize it, restore it, and slow down the aging process).
Cocoa butter contains:
- 3% polyunsaturated fat
- 35% monounsaturated fat
- 61% saturated fat
As well as copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and manganese and vitamins A, group B, vitamins C and E, melaxontin, caffeine and tons
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and has known healing and moisturizing properties for the skin.
Cosmetic properties of cocoa fruit oil
The main feature of cocoa butter is its high content of antioxidants (cocoa mass polyphenols) and its unsurpassed ability to increase skin elasticity.
The main properties of cocoa butter in cosmetology:
- Due to the high amount of oleic acid, cocoa butter is able to restore the barrier functions of the surface layer of the skin and retain moisture in it, so it can be successfully used in products for dry and flaky skin.
- Due to the content of palmitic acid, cocoa butter has lipophilic properties, due to which cocoa butter enhances the penetration of active substances into the skin.
- Natural vitamin E (tocopherol), which contains cocoa butter, has skin moisturizing properties, as well as properties, it enhances collagen production, thereby reducing wrinkles and increasing skin elasticity.
- Polyphenols of the CMP type (cocoa mass polyphenols) inhibit the production of immunoglobulin IgE, which is responsible for allergic reactions, so cocoa butter can be used to treat allergic dermatitis.
How to use cocoa butter for skin?
Cocoa butter is a water-repellent occlusive agent.
It is able to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), cover the skin with a protective waterproof film and retain moisture in the epidermis, so it is especially useful for dry, chapped, flabby and aging skin.
Main uses:
- It is included in cosmetic products for the care of the skin of the face and neck, décolleté, lips, and hands.
- Cocoa butter is able to regenerate skin cells, so it can be included in products for restoring the surface layer of the skin, and can also be used in anti-aging cosmetics to treat wrinkles around the eyes and in the corners of the mouth.
- Cocoa butter has protective properties, so it can be used to protect the skin during low temperatures in winter.
- Cocoa butter has a high emollient effect and is also a lubricant, enhancing the sliding effect of oils when applied to the skin.
- Cocoa butter, due to its caffeine content, is included in anti-cellulite cosmetics and is used to prevent skin stretch marks and increase its elasticity.
- Cocoa butter can enhance, so it can be added to lotions for. But it is worth remembering that it does not have a sun protection factor (SPF).
How to use cocoa butter in making homemade cosmetics?
It is believed that cocoa butter can be used in its pure form by simply applying it to the skin of the face.
But, according to experts, cocoa butter for the face cannot be used in its pure form, due to the fact that it has comedogenic properties (4 each), can clog skin pores and is not recommended for application in its pure form to oily and problematic skin.
- Therefore, when making home cosmetics, it is usually added to other oils in an amount of no more than 5%.
- Pure cocoa butter can be lubricated on dry elbows, knees, etc. To do this, you need to hold a small piece of oil in your hands and lubricate the necessary places on your body with it.
- In the manufacture of homemade cosmetics, cocoa butter is used as a structure-forming agent in the manufacture of creams, lipsticks, balms, massage bars and body butters, and candles.
- It is also added to soap in amounts up to 15% to create stable foam and to bath bombs as a binding component.
How to store and shelf life of cocoa butter?
Shelf life: 2 years. Can be stored in the refrigerator.
Precautionary measures
Cocoa butter can cause allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the components.
Where to buy quality cocoa butter?
I spent more than one day looking for good cocoa butter. Today you can buy it in almost every online store of goods for making home cosmetics.
The average price for 100.0 is from 170-190 rubles. But I found the best cocoa butter in terms of price-quality ratio here
Here, 100% natural cocoa butter without fillers, preservatives, additives and artificial colors can be purchased for around 350 rubles per 200 grams.
Interesting video about cocoa butter
How cocoa grows and how its beans are obtained is very interesting in this video.
I hope this information will be useful to everyone who was interested in the issue of using cocoa butter for the face, for the skin and in cosmetology, as well as in the process of making homemade cosmetics.
If you have anything to add on this topic, I would be very glad if you share your knowledge in the comments to this post.
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Alena Yasneva was with you, be healthy and take care of yourself!
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Cocoa butter is widely used in cooking and cosmetology. It is very rich in fatty acids, which have a very beneficial effect on the skin. It very effectively smooths out wrinkles and keeps the skin fresh. By applying masks to your face that contain cocoa butter, you will always look young and beautiful. All these advantages make the oil very popular among various segments of the population.
Many people try to make cocoa butter at home. This is a difficult task, without special equipment, but completely doable. It must be remembered that high-quality butter can only be obtained from high-quality cocoa beans.
The first stage of preparation is to select first-class cocoa beans. They must be well ripened and not spoiled. The selected cocoa beans are roasted well on a baking sheet or in the oven at a temperature of 120 - 125 degrees. This procedure should last for 25 minutes.
Well-roasted cocoa beans are cooled and thoroughly blown with a fan, this allows you to remove all the husks that appeared during roasting of the beans. Cocoa must be thoroughly ground. A mixer or coffee grinder is suitable for this. Place thoroughly ground cocoa beans in a juicer. Here you will need a juicer that does not squeeze, but grinds. The Champion juicer is perfect for such purposes. Fill the juicer in small portions. The juicer should run at medium speed and cocoa butter will flow out of the juice hole.
This method, of course, is inferior in productivity to the industrial method using special equipment, but it may well solve your needs.
Cocoa butter is one of those natural products that, due to its unique properties, are used in various fields of production, from cooking to pharmacology. It is added to masks, cosmetics, and is also used in folk medicine.
Cocoa butter is a fat obtained by processing the fruits of the chocolate tree. As you might guess, it serves as the basis of chocolate, and the more it is included in the composition, the more beneficial it is for everyone. favorite treat. Unfortunately, now you can’t find natural chocolate in ordinary supermarkets, since it consists of cheaper ingredients. Quality connoisseurs and adherents healthy eating As a rule, they make the product themselves or buy it in specialized stores. “Live Chocolate” is not a cheap pleasure.
What does cocoa butter look like?
Many people think that cocoa butter resembles chocolate in appearance, but in reality it is a light yellow mass. Most often they sell it in bars, which when room temperature they break easily, and at 32-35°C they begin to melt and become colorless. Before use, melt the oil in your hands or in a water bath (depending on the quantity). It is important to remember that it should not be brought to a boil.
The taste is bitter, but quite pleasant. The aroma is very “delicious”, reminiscent of cocoa or chocolate.
Chemical composition of cocoa butter
Like any oil, it differs into refined and unrefined. The latter is considered the most useful, since it contains much more useful vitamins and elements.
Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, E, K, H, PP.
Minerals: iron, potassium, calcium, iodine, magnesium, manganese, copper, sodium, selenium, sulfur, phosphorus, zinc.
Organic acids: arachidic, lauric, linoleic, myristic, oleic, palmitic, stearic.
In addition, cocoa butter contains caffeine, xanthine, amino acids, polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidants. Thanks to the latter, the likelihood of developing cancer is reduced, and the skin remains young and healthy.
Calorie content of cocoa butter - 899 kcal per 100 g.
Useful properties and health benefits of cocoa butter
- has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties,
- increases immunity,
- treats colds,
- strengthens the cardiovascular system,
- improves the condition of blood vessels,
- reduces bad cholesterol levels,
- prevention and treatment of respiratory system diseases,
- eliminates cough,
- treats cervical erosion,
- fights hemorrhoids,
- cancer prevention,
- improves brain function,
- lifts the mood
- protects against UV rays,
- accelerates the healing process of burns and wounds,
- relieves ulcers and scars,
- prevention of stretch marks,
- fights cellulite,
- improves the condition of skin and hair,
- moisturizes the skin,
- increases skin elasticity,
- improves skin color,
- treats skin diseases,
- eliminates small wrinkles,
- has a rejuvenating effect.
Contraindications and harms of cocoa butter
- individual intolerance,
- increased nervous excitability,
- diabetes,
- overweight,
- headache,
- children under 3 years old,
- diarrhea,
- hypertension,
- insomnia.
Doctors advise pregnant women to be extremely careful when consuming cocoa butter, as it is an allergen, and during this period the body is more susceptible. Therefore, you should avoid it completely or consume it in small quantities.
You should not take cocoa butter at night. It excites the nervous system, which can lead to loss of sleep.
In addition, the product is not suitable for use for cosmetic purposes by those with oily skin. But many still add it to their products, but in small quantities.
How to choose cocoa butter
A high-quality product can be purchased in specialized health food stores or for making home cosmetics. When purchasing, pay attention to price, color and aroma.
Price per quality product very high, approximately $2.5-3 per 100 g.
The color, as mentioned above, should be light yellow, even cream. If the oil is too white, it is either rancid or a substitute.
Real cocoa butter has a distinct cocoa aroma. If there is no smell, then this is a fake.
How to store cocoa butter
The ideal storage condition is a dark and cool room. Store the product in a container with a tight lid.
Shelf life of cocoa butter - 2 years.
Application of cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology to improve the condition of skin and hair.
Treatment with cocoa butter. Folk remedies
For colds and runny nose. Treat the inside of the nostrils with the product once a day.
Against cough. 1) Like a lollipop, suck on a piece of cocoa butter in its natural form 4-5 times a day.
2) 1 tbsp. Melt the butter in a water bath (32-35°C), add 1 tbsp. propolis and mix. Take the mixture 0.5 tsp. 3 times a day.
3) Apply the product to the chest area with massaging movements - blood flow to the lungs increases, due to which the patient’s condition becomes better.
For hemorrhoids. 1) Before going to bed, carefully place a small, hard piece of oil into your rectum.
2) Dip a cotton swab in cocoa butter and place it inside. It is recommended to do the procedure before bedtime.
For cervical erosion. Mix 1 tsp. product with 10 drops of sea buckthorn oil. Take a cotton swab and soak it in the resulting mixture. Then insert it deeper into your vagina overnight.
Duration of treatment is 14-17 days.
From burns and wounds. To speed up the healing process of wounds, scratches, burns (including sunburn), apply cocoa butter to damaged areas of the skin.
The use of cocoa butter in cosmetology
Cocoa butter is popularly added to skin and hair care products because it works wonders. It is not necessary to buy ready-made cosmetics; it is best to make it yourself. This way you will be completely confident in its beneficial composition.
Cocoa butter for face at home
Its cosmetic and healing effect on the skin is obvious: it moisturizes and maintains natural water balance. Therefore, cocoa butter will be especially useful for those with dry skin; in addition, it eliminates flaking. After regular use, the skin becomes firmer, more elastic and acquires a healthy color.
The product in its pure form is not suitable for oily skin. It should be added to your favorite masks and products in very small quantities.
Cocoa butter contains vitamins A, E and K, which are very necessary for healthy skin. Thanks to them, the product is famous for its rejuvenating effect. The oil eliminates fine wrinkles and fights other signs of aging.
Masks for dry skin. 1. The easiest way to use the product: melt it in your hands and apply a thin layer to your face. Leave for 20 minutes, then use a paper napkin or towel to remove any excess.
2. 1 tsp. cocoa butter + 2 tbsp. chopped parsley. Apply the mask to your face and leave for half an hour. Then rinse with water.
Anti-wrinkle mask. Mix well 1 tsp. honey + 1 tsp. cocoa butter + 1 tsp. carrot juice (optional). Apply the mixture for 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
Cocoa butter for hair
Cocoa butter has a beneficial effect on hair. It stimulates their growth, fights their loss, strengthens their structure, adds shine, makes them more obedient and gives them their wonderful aroma.
Hair Mask. Before applying cocoa butter to your hair, you should warm it slightly in a water bath. This way it is absorbed better and washed off easier. Massage the product into the scalp and distribute it over the entire length of damp hair. Warm your head with film and a towel. The mask should be kept on for at least 2 hours to obtain the desired result. Afterwards, rinse with shampoo.
For a noticeable effect, this procedure must be done 1-2 times a week for 2-3 months.
Use of cocoa butter in cooking
One of the most successful areas of its application is the production confectionery. We bring to your attention recipes for healthy treats that will cheer you up and not harm your health.
Recipes with cocoa butter
- raw chocolate,
- “Spicy note” cake,
- banana ice cream,
- chocolate-coconut candies.
With proper use of high-quality cocoa butter, it will bring amazing results for the whole body.
Today we will listen to the song of the Italian singer Mina - lo Faresti (cacao cacao)
Natural cocoa butter, whose benefits and harms are discussed in the article, is obtained by squeezing ground beans of the fruits of the chocolate tree (Theobroma cocoa). It is used in cooking as a fatty base for chocolate and desserts (but not in all “chocolate” desserts; manufacturers often use cheaper fats, for example, a palm analogue or lauric-type chemical substitutes). It is also used in cosmetology as part of masks and creams to moisturize and protect the skin due to the presence of fatty acids. They are equally actively used both in industrial production cosmetics and as part of homemade masks.
Benefits of fatty acids
The benefits of cocoa butter for the body are explained by its high content of fatty acids. In total, 100 g contains 62.5 g. They have a positive effect both externally and internally:
- Oleic (up to 43% or up to 26.875 g of the total content), due to its chemical stability, has the property of preventing the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, this product will not harm even patients with atherosclerosis (reduced vascular permeability due to the formation of cholesterol plaques on their inner walls);
- Stearic (up to 34% or up to 21.25 g) has thickening properties. That’s why cocoa fat is popular in cosmetology – stearic acid allows you to maintain the necessary consistency of creams and masks. This also explains why it is often used in the manufacture of medicinal ointments and suppositories. When applied to the skin of the face, it forms a protective film. In the body, it is part of lipids that perform the function of an energy depot, i.e., it has the property of forming fat deposits, which are broken down and converted into energy spent on motor activity and breathing;
- Lauric and palmitic acid (up to 25% or up to 15.625 g), when applied externally, can prevent water evaporation and water loss by cells, since they act as emollients (fats fixed in the stratum corneum of the skin) - they penetrate under the horny scales and create a barrier that prevents evaporation. In the body, these acids help regulate the water-salt balance of intercellular fluid;
- Linoleic acid (2% or 1.25 g) is involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins, enzymes necessary for the synthesis of hormones, normalization of vascular tone and muscle contractions;
- Arachidic acid (trace) is beneficial for the stomach as it suppresses excess production of hydrochloric acid in the gastrointestinal tract and also stimulates the production of mucus in the stomach, which helps protect the mucous membranes of the stomach.
Cocoa fat substitutes (such as palm fat and lauric fat substitutes) do not contain these useful substances. Therefore, it is preferable to purchase chocolate and desserts with cocoa butter, although they are more expensive due to more complex processes spin Palm, for example, is pressed directly from the soft fruits of the palm tree. Whereas to extract cocoa butter, you must first extract the beans from the fruits of the chocolate tree, then grind them. Only from this mass is oil directly pressed.
Other useful properties
Vitamin E is contained in a small amount - 2 mg, while palm oil contains 33.1 mg. Nevertheless, it has an antioxidant effect - it increases the resistance of cell membranes to the penetration of free radicals through them. Free radicals, the results of peroxidation occurring in the body, can accumulate in cells, form insoluble compounds in them and increase the likelihood of developing cancer.
The composition also contains phosphorus (2.4 mg). It is part of bone tissue, teeth and nails. Increases their density, reduces porosity, makes them resistant to breakage, and reduces fragility.
Application in cosmetics production
Stearic acid in the composition has a number of properties necessary in the production of cosmetics for the skin of the face and body. Its properties as a thickener are actively used in the production of masks, creams, and soaps. When applied externally, cocoa butter forms a thin film on the skin, invisible to the eye. This occurs due to the inability of stearic acid to be completely absorbed. The film has a protective function and also slightly smoothes the skin, making it easier to apply makeup. It also increases the resistance of the epidermis to the negative effects of temperature changes (facial skin does not dry out).
The properties of lauric acid in the oil make it suitable for moisturizing the skin of the face and body. It is used as part of moisturizing masks that prevent moisture retention on the surface of the skin.
In addition to the fact that the product is part of ready-made facial cosmetics, it can also be used as part of homemade masks.
Advice! The easiest way to use this product is to melt a small piece of butter in the palm of your hand (it melts at a temperature of 35 degrees) and apply to the skin of the face for 15-20 minutes. You can apply this mask 1-2 times a week for maximum facial hydration.
Contraindications
In addition to beneficial properties, cocoa butter also has harmful ones. It may cause harm in the following cases:
- If you are obese or have intense weight control, it is better not to use it internally, as this will harm your figure due to the high content of saturated fatty acids, which accumulate in the body as fat deposits;
- The product (like chocolate and cocoa) contains obligate allergens that have a high degree of sensitizing activity, i.e. they tend to provoke skin or respiratory allergies more often than other products, which can harm allergy sufferers;
- Despite its widespread use in cosmetology, the product can cause allergic reactions of the contact type, i.e. those that occur when an allergen is applied to the skin, which can also cause harm;
- Cocoa butter contains caffeine in small quantities (no more than 5 mg per 100 g), so it should not be used by people with diseases of the nervous system, as well as mental disorders, because it can be harmful and have an unpredictable effect on the nervous system.
Some symptoms of appearance:
- increased sweating;
- weakened immunity, frequent colds;
- weakness, fatigue;
- nervous state, depression;
- headaches and migraines;
- alternating diarrhea and constipation;
- I want sweet and sour;
- bad breath;
- frequent feeling of hunger;
- problems with losing weight;
- decreased appetite;
- night grinding of teeth, drooling;
- pain in the abdomen, joints, muscles;
- cough does not go away;
- acne on the skin.
If you have any of the symptoms or are in doubt about the causes of your ailments, you need to cleanse your body as quickly as possible. Read how to do this here.
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In the article we talk about cocoa butter, its beneficial properties, use in cooking, cosmetology and medicine. You will learn how to use a natural remedy for your face, body and hair, and how to take cocoa butter for cough.
Useful properties of cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is a vegetable fat obtained from grated cocoa.
Cocoa liquor is ground grains (beans) from the fruits of the chocolate tree.
Cocoa butter has a hard and brittle consistency, a whitish-yellow color and a characteristic chocolate aroma. At a temperature of 32-35 degrees, the oil melts and becomes liquid.
Composition of cocoa butter:
- oleic acid;
- stearic acid;
- lauric acid;
- palmitic acid;
- linoleic acid;
- arachidic acid;
- vitamin E;
- vitamin D;
- vitamin K;
- tannins;
- caffeine.
How cocoa butter affects the body:
- eliminates inflammatory processes;
- reduces blood cholesterol levels;
- improves blood circulation;
- increases hemoglobin levels;
- helps accelerate regeneration processes;
- improves digestion.
The main use of cocoa butter is confectionery production. The product from cocoa beans is used as a fat base for making chocolate, chocolates, baked goods and other products.
Apply natural product in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries - as a fragrance, for the preparation of suppositories, cosmetic creams and ointments.
Cocoa butter is widely used in cosmetology. The product is used in its pure form and as the main ingredient for making masks at home. The presence of tannins and caffeine provides wound healing and tonic properties of the product, so the oil is used to improve appearance facial skin and stretch marks on the body. The benefits and harms of cocoa butter depend on its use.
Types of cocoa butter
You can find unrefined and refined cocoa butter on sale.
Unrefined oil is a product squeezed from the beans of the chocolate tree and has not undergone subsequent purification. This product contains the maximum amount of useful substances, has a thicker consistency, and a bright aroma.
Refined oil is a product that has undergone special purification. It is softer and more delicate and contains less fatty acids. This oil is lighter in color and has no odor at all. After the refining procedure, the shelf life of the product increases. Pregnant women can use refined oil without fear of developing an allergic reaction.
For cosmetic and medical purposes, it is more advisable to use an unrefined product, as well as for flavoring chocolate and desserts.
Cocoa butter in cosmetology
In cosmetology, cocoa butter is valued for its beneficial properties. The product has a moisturizing, regenerating and softening effect. The aromatic product acts on the skin of the face and body as an antioxidant and has an anti-cellulite effect. The oil smoothes wrinkles, increases skin elasticity, and promotes better absorption of nutrients.
For face
The natural product is used to care for dry and aging skin. When used systematically, cocoa butter smoothes wrinkles, retains moisture on the surface of the skin, and eliminates dark circles under the eyes.
The product can be used on the face in its pure form. You don't even need to melt it to do this. Upon contact with skin, the oil will become thinner and easier to spread. You can apply the product instead of cream before bed.
To combat fine wrinkles on the skin around the eyes, mix cocoa butter with liquid vitamin E, adding 2-3 drops of tocopherol to a portion of the product. Gently apply the mixture to the skin and leave for 20 minutes. Wash off after time.
For body
For the body, cocoa bean oil is used to prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the skin and eliminate existing stretch marks. The natural product increases skin elasticity, promotes the production of collagen and elastin, and moisturizes the upper layers of the epidermis.
For these purposes, lubricate the stomach, thighs and chest daily. The product can be applied in pure form, mixed in equal proportions with olive oil or sea buckthorn oil. Apply the product with light massage movements, rinse after 20-25 minutes.
Cocoa butter helps eliminate cellulite. Use the product for lymphatic drainage massage, massage problem areas for 10-15 minutes. It is possible to carry out wraps with the product. To do this, grease the areas with cocoa butter, wrap with cling film and leave for half an hour. Rinse off with warm water.
For hair
Chocolate tree oil is also used for the beauty and health of hair. The product is melted in a water bath and applied to the entire length of the curls or only to their ends. The product is used both in pure form and as part of various masks. The exposure time depends on the specific recipe; in its pure form, the oil can be kept on the hair for 30-50 minutes.
Regular use of hair oil makes it manageable, shiny, and voluminous at the roots. The product improves the structure of each hair and seals split ends.
Cocoa butter has a dense consistency, so it is not recommended to use it in its pure form for oily hair types.
For lips
Since the oil has a wound-healing effect, it is used to treat chapped or dry lip skin. The product is applied in a thin layer 3 times a day. The oil is used to protect against frost in winter and sun rays in summer.
If you add sugar or honey to melted cocoa butter, you can use it as a homemade scrub. Scrub your lips for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with warm water and apply a moisturizing or nourishing balm.
Cocoa butter for cough
Chocolate tree oil is used not only in cosmetology, but also in home medicine. The product is actively used to treat coughs in adults and children. You can cure a cough with the help of the product for colds, bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma. However, do not forget that the main treatment should be medication.
To eliminate cough, melt ½ teaspoon of cocoa butter in a glass of hot milk and drink the drink. Using the remedy for respiratory diseases, massage the back and chest.
Cocoa butter in cooking
Cocoa butter is one of the main ingredients of white, milk, dark and bitter chocolate. By the way, if dark and bitter varieties of slab sweets can be prepared without vegetable fat, then White chocolate impossible to make without cocoa butter.
The product is also used in the manufacture of sweets, bars, cakes, creams, and glazes. You can add cocoa butter to baked goods, cereals, puddings and even drinks.
Cocoa butter for children
Products with cocoa butter can be safely given to children if they do not have an allergic reaction to it.
The drug is also used to treat cough; this is most important for young children, when not all medications are allowed to be taken.
Cocoa butter during pregnancy
During pregnancy, cocoa butter should be used carefully - products containing cocoa bean fat can be consumed in the absence of personal intolerance.
But even with a normal reaction of the body, it is recommended to limit the consumption of chocolate and other desserts. The caffeine contained in cocoa butter increases blood pressure. The product impairs the absorption of calcium by the body.
External use of the product will help avoid the appearance of stretch marks on the stomach, hips and chest, improve the condition of the skin of the face and body, and hair. Therefore, the cosmetic use of cocoa butter during pregnancy is possible.
What is cocoa butter equivalent
The cocoa butter equivalent is a substitute for a natural product, or, more precisely, a whole group of substitutes. The cocoa butter equivalent is hydrogenated vegetable fats - cottonseed, rapeseed, soybean, palm and others. Such oils undergo special processing, which allows them to acquire the properties necessary for use in making chocolate.
Cocoa butter equivalent is used to reduce the cost of production of chocolate bars, sweets and other confectionery products.
How to melt cocoa butter
You can melt cocoa butter in a water bath; the product begins to melt at a temperature of 32-35 degrees. If you want to use the product in its pure form for the skin of the face and body, you do not need to melt it first. It will become liquid upon contact with skin.
Contraindications
The use of cocoa butter has no categorical contraindications. You should not use the product internally or externally if you have an individual intolerance. It is also not recommended to consume cocoa butter and products containing it for insomnia and excess weight.
How to store oil at home
Cocoa butter must be stored in a dry place protected from sunlight at a temperature of 16-18 degrees.
The shelf life of the product is 2 years from the date of production.
Where can I buy
You can buy cocoa butter in a specialized store or online stores of natural cosmetics and organic products.
The average price for 100 g of cocoa butter is 150 rubles.
Cocoa butter is a real source of nutrients. It is widely used in cooking, cosmetology and pharmaceuticals. This component is known to everyone not only because of its beneficial properties, but also due to its excellent taste qualities, because it is practically the main component of everyone’s favorite chocolate.
The value of this product lies in the fact that it can be used to make home cosmetics. Cosmetics made with your own hands with the addition of this aromatic ingredient, will become a real panacea.
Composition, properties and use of cocoa butter
This product is a vegetable fat. It is produced from the fruits of the tropical Theobroma tree, which is also called the “chocolate tree”. These evergreen and medium-sized trees are found in the forests of South and Central America and Africa. Before reaching us, this butter, like other cocoa bean processing products and the fruits themselves, undergo long transportation.
The fruit of the cocoa tree is shaped like a melon, 25 - 30 cm in size, and has a red-yellow color.
Cocoa butter is obtained in a rather complicated way, since the freshly picked fruits of the “chocolate tree” themselves are light in color, and their taste is quite tart and bitter. In order to give this product the familiarity to us chocolate taste, the fruit goes through several stages of processing.
- Cocoa bean seeds can be fermented; this process involves fermentation, as a result of which their taste properties change significantly.
- After completion of the fermentation process, the seeds are crushed and hot pressed, and then filtered, after which the finished oil is obtained.
The finished product is pale yellow to golden in color and has a creamy aroma.
To increase the shelf life of this product, it undergoes secondary processing: deodorized “chocolate” oil retains its beneficial properties, but completely loses its aroma. It is used for the production of cosmetic products, soap, masks and other things. In cooking, white chocolate is made from deodorized oil.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of aroma, unscrupulous manufacturers sometimes use a cocoa butter substitute - a mixture of palm, soy and rapeseed oil, which leads to an increase in harmful trans fats in the finished product.
Interesting fact! The first who began to consume cocoa beans in food were the inhabitants of the Aztec and Mayan tribes. They prepared a drink from crushed cocoa beans, which they called “chocolatl”. At that time it was believed that it was a drink of the gods that gave wisdom and longevity.
To choose real cocoa butter, you can follow several rules:
- high-quality oil will have a yellow tint
- low cost may indicate a substitute
- the natural product does not melt at room temperature, its minimum melting point is 30 degrees
Part natural oil cocoa includes:
- fatty acid
- vitamins
- microelements
As well as caffeine, theobromine, polyphenol, melanin. These are vital compounds that participate in metabolic processes.
A high-quality product has a wide range of positive properties:
- In cosmetology, cocoa butter can eliminate many problems, as it nourishes and softens the skin, and also has antiseptic and healing properties.
- In medicine, it is used to strengthen blood vessels, treat varicose veins, peptic ulcers and much more.
- And in cooking it is used in a huge number desserts and chocolate production.
The benefits and harms of cocoa butter
Cocoa butter contains substances that can enhance immunity and stimulate brain function, as well as antioxidants that have a good effect on the body as a whole and cleanse it. Systematically consuming this product in small quantities can significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels.
In pharmaceuticals, extracts from this drug are used in various medicines. Cocoa butter has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Modern beauties know it as an important tool for many cosmetic procedures. Chocolate wraps They allow you to effectively fight cellulite, and cocoa butter is also an excellent preventative against stretch marks.
Cocoa butter can be used in food in small quantities or used as one of the ingredients in homemade cosmetics.
A few contraindications to the use of this product are:
- obesity
- diabetes
- allergy
Cocoa butter is completely prohibited for children in infancy, as there is a risk of developing allergic reactions. This product can be consumed in small quantities; due to the high amount of calories it contains (namely about 1000 kcal per 100 g), it can lead to weight gain. In addition, cocoa interferes with the absorption of calcium.
Pregnant women and during breastfeeding are not recommended to use this product due to possible allergic reactions.
Cocoa butter in medicine
Due to its medicinal qualities, cocoa butter is used for treatment both in its natural form and its individual enzymes and extracts for the production of medicinal products. It has the following actions:
- anti-inflammatory
- enveloping
- expectorant
- healing
Cocoa butter is widely used to treat illnesses and is used for massage purposes.
Cocoa butter for cough is an excellent alternative to expensive and not always effective drugs. It can be taken for medicinal purposes, either in its pure form or in combination with other components. In its pure form, it is recommended to suck a piece of oil at least 4 times a day.
The following recipes with cocoa butter will help in the fight against cough:
- A glass of milk with a teaspoon of butter and honey, consume 1/3 glass three times a day for 5 days;
- A spoonful of badger fat is mixed with the same amount of cocoa butter; you need to take a dessert spoon three times a day for a week;
- Propolis ointment is added to melted butter at a rate of 1:10, used 3 times a day with meals.
Reviews about the treatment of cough with cocoa butter are varied, due to the individual characteristics of each organism. So for some people, products based on cocoa fat become a panacea, while others do not notice much result.
Cocoa butter in cosmetology
Cosmetic cocoa butter is a real find, it has the following effects:
- moisturizing
- rejuvenating
- nutritious
- anti-inflammatory
- brightening
Regular use in reasonable quantities allows you to achieve amazing results: skin and hair are rejuvenated and look well-groomed and healthy.
Today, there are a large number of homemade cosmetics recipes with which you can easily make lip balm with cocoa butter, a hair or face mask based on this fat, a scrub or cream. Wrapping compositions with this ingredient are very popular.
Recipes with cocoa butter for skin
- "Spicy" scrub. In a ratio of 1 to 2, mix honey and cocoa butter, add to the resulting mixture ground coffee. The aromatic composition can be used as a peeling for the face and body. Cocoa butter in combination with coffee will gently remove dead skin scales and moisturize the skin by nutrients. Peeling can be used no more than twice a week.
- Rejuvenating mask for all skin types. A mask containing cocoa butter provides excellent lifting for the face. Mix aloe pulp with fat and grape seed oil in equal parts, apply the composition for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This vitamin charge will make the skin glowing and elastic. Cocoa butter helps get rid of wrinkles and other age-related changes.
- Masks for oily skin with cocoa butter. This oil stops inflammatory processes and allows you to get rid of acne and acne. To make a mask for oily skin at home, you will need the pulp of one cucumber, aloe juice, 1:1 cocoa butter and chamomile. Combine the components and apply to the face for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Another option would be a face mask with cocoa fat and milk: add a teaspoon of cocoa butter to one tablespoon of milk, apply the warm mixture to the skin for 10 minutes, then rinse off. Numerous reviews indicate that cocoa butter is very beneficial for the face and can get rid of many problems with regular use.
- Eye care product. Cocoa butter is mixed with vitamin E, and sea buckthorn oil is added. The composition can be used several times a week. With this product, your skin will become radiant and moisturized, so you can forget about highlighter and corrective pencil.
- Hand cream based on cocoa butter. Good for sensitive skin. Mix linseed oil and cocoa butter 1 to 2, add 40 g of pharmaceutical glycerin. This composition will moisturize the skin and have a healing effect.
- Lip emollient. On steam bath melt the paraffin and add cocoa butter; if desired, the composition can be varied with essential oils. This product will protect your lips from external factors. The product will be characterized by a delicate aroma and dense texture.
Recipes for hair masks with cocoa butter
Masks based on this ingredient make hair healthy and shiny. This is an excellent remedy against brittle and dry hair.
Recipe No. 1
- Melt the mixture in a steam bath and mix cocoa and burdock butter in equal parts, add a solution of vitamin A and E
- Apply to hair and wrap for 40 minutes, after which rinse off the shampoo and apply conditioner.
- Regular use will help achieve lasting results.
Recipe No. 2
- Mix kefir or yogurt with one yolk and a spoonful of cognac, add 1 tbsp olive oil. l. and pre-melted cocoa butter 1 tsp.
- Apply the mixture to dry hair, leave it on for an hour, and then rinse it off.
To enhance the effect of the masks, it is necessary to additionally apply a wrap to ensure maximum transportation of nutrients deep into the hair.
Cocoa butter in cooking
Cocoa butter is widely used in cooking. It is used in the preparation of creams and desserts, as well as sweets and chocolate itself. Homemade chocolate Made from cocoa butter, this is a tasty and healthy treat. Preparing it at home is not difficult.
For this you will need:
- cocoa powder 200 g
- sugar 2 teaspoons
- cocoa butter 70 g
- milk 4 tablespoons
- Additionally, you can add vanilla or cinnamon to taste
After melting the butter, put it on low heat, add cocoa and sugar to the milk, and after complete dissolution, mix the mixture with the butter. Pour the finished chocolate into molds and cool. Natural and useful product ready.
Technology for making cocoa butter at home
For this you will need high-quality cocoa beans. You can purchase such a product in a supermarket, a store specialized in chocolate making, or order it online.
- The beans must be ripe and without blemishes. Like any other product, before processing they must be washed and dried, laid out on a paper or regular towel.
- The next step is toasting. Place cocoa beans in a preheated oven using a baking sheet or any heat-resistant container. Recommended oven temperature is 150 degrees. Typically, the frying process takes about 20 minutes. During this time, the fruits acquire a brown color and a characteristic chocolate smell and taste. You can determine the degree of readiness by smell and appearance.
- After roasting, the fruits must be cooled; it is recommended to cool them at room temperature.
- And then you need to start chopping. You can use a coffee grinder, mortar or mixer. The mass obtained as a result of crushing must be squeezed out through a press or gauze. The resulting liquid will be cocoa butter.
The result of such work will be unrefined, cold-pressed oil with a pronounced taste and smell. This product is very useful and retains all its good properties.
You can store the natural product in the refrigerator.
