December 19, 2023
6 min read
Nourish, hydrate, and glow—naturally with cocoa butter
When you hear “cocoa butter” what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Let me guess – chocolate! Apart from its delicious tie to everyone’s favourite sweet treat, you may be surprised to learn that Cocoa Butter has many skin-loving properties that can benefit your complexion.
What is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is a natural fat extracted from cocoa beans, the same plant used to make chocolate. It’s solid at room temperature but melts on contact with the skin, making it easy to apply and absorb.
Packed with antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E, cocoa butter is known for its intense moisturising properties that support dry skin and its contribution to smooth, glowing skin.
The Beauty Benefits Of Cocoa Butter
When you hear “cocoa butter” what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Let me guess – chocolate! Apart from its lovely aroma, coconut oil has great properties that can benefit your skin in a variety of ways (unlike sweet choco treats that only sabotage your hot-rockin-body). Today we’d love to tell you a bit more about the magic behind the lovely chocolate smell- let’s see what cocoa butter can do for your skin!
1. Wonderful Natural Moisturizer
Cocoa butter has the ability to penetrate deep in the skin (instead of just sitting on top of it) and deliver moisture where it’s most needed. At the same time it forms a “shield” on the skin’s surface which prevents water loss, keeping your face looking dewy and fresh. Quite often, cocoa butter (or products that contain it) is recommended to people with eczema and dermatitis, not only because it retains moisture, but also because it forms a protective barrier against “external aggressors”. Since it is being absorbed deep into the skin, two applications of pure cocoa butter per day are believed to be enough to keep your skin hydrated, soft and supple for 24 hours. Last but not least, cocoa butter contains cocoa mass polyphenol – a natural anti-inflammatory compound that eases the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis.
2. Powerful Ally In The Fight Against Aging
Being rich in one of the most potent vitamins/antioxidants out there (yes, I am talking about the kind – Vitamin E!), cocoa butter reduces the negative effects that damage-causing free radicals can have on your skin, ensuring your cells will stay healthy, thus your skin will look at its best longer. What makes the antioxidant properties of cocoa butter even stronger is the presence of powerful phytochemicals, like flavonoids and polyphenols.
3. Incredibly Delicious Smell
Okay, this is not actually a skincare benefit, but c’mon – who would say no to a nice pampering face treatment that smells divine? Cocoa butter and its slightly sweet, chocolaty aroma will help you relax and enjoy those special “you” moments when you just want to apply your favorite face mask and forget about everything else – your own spa at home!
4. Deep Hydration
Cocoa butter has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin (rather than just sitting on top of it) and deliver moisture where it’s most needed. At the same time it forms a shield on the skin’s surface which aids in preventing water loss and keeping your skin looking dewy and fresh all day long. Its high concentration of saturated fats helps soften and nourish even the driest skin, making it ideal for anyone suffering from dry, dehydrated and rough textured skin. Cocoa Butter is particularly beneficial during colder months or in dry climates when the skin is more prone to dehydration and irritation.
5. Rich in Skin-Loving Antioxidants
Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, Cocoa Butter helps to brighten the skin naturally while neutralising free radicals that cause skin damage, reducing signs of premature ageing.
6. Fights Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Being rich in Vitamin E - one of the most potent vitamins and antioxidants out there, Cocoa Butter has an incredible ability to reduce the negative effects that environmental stress can have on your skin. What makes the youth-boosting properties of cocoa butter even stronger is the presence of powerful phytochemicals, like flavonoids and polyphenols.
7. Soothes and Calms the Skin
Quite often, cocoa butter (or products that contain it) is recommended to people with eczema and dermatitis, not only because it retains moisture, but also because it forms a protective barrier that allows the skin to heal while protecting from further irritation. Cocoa Butter also holds anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm the redness, itching and flaking often associated with sensitive skin conditions.
8. Promotes a Natural Glow
If your skin feels dull or tired, cocoa butter can restore radiance by deeply nourishing and smoothing the skin while delivering a brightening antioxidant boost! Its rich texture enhances skin suppleness - resulting in a soft, luminous glow.
How to Use Cocoa Butter for Glowing Skin
You can find cocoa butter in a variety of skincare and body products to support hydration and maintain a healthy barrier. Below are our favourite ways to incorporate nature’s favourite butter into your daily skincare routine.
Daily Moisturiser
LAMAV’s Hyaluronic Moisture Cream is packed full of nature’s hydration heroes - including Cocoa Butter. This moisture-locking day cream delivers a radiant and visibly plump glow thanks to Cocoa Butter and the addition of Hyaluronic Acid, Bisabolol and Aloe to hydrate and soothe the skin for a fresh and radiant complexion.
Apply 1-2 pumps morning and night after cleansing and before your morning SPF.
Night Cream
If there’s ever a great time to pump up the hydration in your skin, it has to be at night. Our skin finally has a chance to breathe and repair overnight, and LAMAV’s Omega 3 Advanced Night Cream will help you achieve plump, hydrated skin while you enjoy some shut eye. Specifically created to recharge, repair and hydrate the skin while you sleep, this formulation is packed full of barrier-loving ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid, Chia Seed and Cocoa Butter.
Apply 1-2 pumps as the last step in your PM skincare routine to deliver and lock in hydration.
Face Mask
If your skin is feeling extremely dry or looking particularly dull, it’s time to indulge in a face mask. LAMAV’s Multi-Award Winning Beauty Sleep Mask contains Cocoa Butter, along with soothing Bisabolol and Hyaluronic Acid to support your skin’s natural ability to repair and rejuvenate overnight. You’ll wake up with noticeably plumper, calmer skin.
Use 2-3 times per week as the last step in your nightly skincare routine to boost and maintain hydration and glow!
Is Cocoa Butter Suitable for All Skin Types?
While Cocoa Butter is great for sensitive skin types and low risk when it comes to skin reactions or irritation, it may not be suitable for those with extremely oily or acne-prone skin. As Cocoa Butter delivers intense hydration and holds a rich texture, there is a chance it could cause skin congestion if used alone directly on the skin. If you have oily skin but would still like to enjoy the many benefits of Cocoa Butter, look for products that include it on the lower section of the ingredients list where it is less likely to cause congestion issues.
Choose Pure, Organic Cocoa Butter
When introducing cocoa butter into your skincare routine, it’s important to choose raw, unrefined cocoa butter to ensure you enjoy maximum skin benefits. Using pure, organic Cocoa Butter retains more of the natural antioxidants to deliver more skin loving results.
