Cocoa butter is a unique substance that can be used in hair and skin care. Find out the features of its use at home. Cocoa is a specific type of plant that is native to the subequatorial latitudes of South America. Recently, cocoa is gaining more and more popularity, because it helps not only maintain health, but also youth and beauty of the body. Cocoa has unique properties, which makes it widely used in cosmetology, cooking and pharmaceuticals.
Cocoa butter: beneficial properties and uses
Cocoa butter is a fat that is obtained from the beans of the Cocoa tree. It contains a large amount of fatty acids and triglycerides. Palmitic and oleic acids increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, promote natural blood purification, and gradually decrease blood cholesterol.
This product is widely used in medicine to treat coughs, stretch marks, burns. It is added to the composition of various healing ointments and suppositories.
Cocoa butter is no less relevant in the field of cosmetology, as it has excellent antiseptic and tonic properties due to the content of tannins, methylxanthine, and caffeine. It is on the basis of cocoa butter that a large number of skin care creams are produced, including soaps and lotions.
Cocoa butter is considered an excellent fat base for various desserts, including chocolate. This product is of natural origin, has a pleasant and appetizing aroma, making it even more desirable for use.
Cocoa butter for facial skin
Natural cocoa butter is a product that is extracted by extracting vegetable fat without the use of additional substances. The use of this component is very beneficial for the skin of the face and has an effective effect.
By its nature, this substance is unique, as it helps to normalize enlarged pores and remove oily sheen, ideal for moisturizing the epidermis, helps to get rid of the problem of flaking and dryness.
Cocoa butter quickly restores radiance to the skin and removes pallor. Regular use of masks containing this component helps to maintain facial skin tone when the first age-related changes appear. The product is instantly absorbed into the skin and does not leave an ugly shine on its surface.
By regulating the fat metabolism of the epidermis, cocoa butter removes inflammation and irritation, accelerates the healing process of small wounds, abrasions and scratches. Ideal for use in the cold season, as it protects the skin from frost and frostbite. If cocoa butter is used regularly, the skin's natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid is enhanced.
Using pure cocoa butter
Cocoa butter can be added to the composition of various cosmetics or used in its pure form:
- The skin of the face is pre-cleaned from dust and makeup residues.
- A small amount of pure cocoa butter is applied to the skin.
- Before applying the oil, you must first warm it up in your hands.
This cosmetic procedure is best done in the evening, before going to bed, using instead of the usual caring cream. This tool is ideal for combating various age-related changes in the skin, including eliminating flaking.
To remove bruises under the eyes, relieve puffiness and refresh the complexion, it is recommended to apply cocoa butter to the area around the eyes. With the development of vitamin deficiency or after the extension procedure, it is useful to apply a small amount of cocoa butter on the eyelashes and eyebrows.
Cocoa butter cream
Cocoa butter can be an excellent base for making homemade cosmetic creams. This product retains its properties for a long time, if stored in the refrigerator:
- Cocoa butter (25 g) is melted in a water bath, after which jojoba oil (5 ml) and olive oil (30 ml) are added. All components are well mixed until a mixture of uniform consistency is obtained. The composition is left for a while until it cools down - it can be placed in a container filled with cold water. Next, sandalwood essential oil (2 drops) is injected and the cream is ready to use.
- Cocoa butter (25 g) is mixed with paraffin (5 ml) and lanolin (5 ml), petroleum jelly (15 g) is added. The mixture is placed in a water bath and stirred constantly. As soon as the components are melted, pre-warmed rose water (45 ml) is introduced. The mixture is well mixed and whipped with a mixer, cooled. The cream is ready to use - you need to store it in a container with a tightly closed lid in the refrigerator.
Cocoa Butter Masks
At home, you can quickly and easily prepare natural cosmetic masks using the following recipes:
- To lighten and moisturize the skin, melt cocoa butter (6 ml) in a water bath. Fresh aloe juice (7 ml) and chamomile essential oil (5 ml) are added. A cucumber, previously chopped on a grater, is introduced into the mixture. The resulting composition is applied to the skin of the face and left for 30 minutes.
- For nourishing and cleansing the skin - cocoa butter (25 ml), light honey (18 ml) and brown sugar (15 g) are taken. All components are thoroughly mixed. The finished mask is applied to previously cleansed skin. After 10 minutes, you need to wash with cool water.
- To remove fine wrinkles in the eye area, you will need to take vitamin E (4 drops), sea buckthorn oil (10 ml), cocoa butter (5 ml). All ingredients are well mixed, and the mixture is applied in a thin layer to the skin around the eyes. The mask is left on for 15 minutes, then washed off with cool water. This cosmetic procedure is best done before bedtime.
Cocoa butter for body care
This unique product can be used both for prevention and treatment. There are several ways to use cocoa butter in body care:
- Cleansing scrub - cocoa butter (2 tablespoons) is pre-melted in a water bath, natural honey (1 tablespoon), a mix of ground nuts (1 tablespoon) are added, oatmeal is added. All components are mixed and the mixture is left for a while until it cools. The resulting mass is applied to the skin of the body and a light massage is performed. This procedure will not only help to cleanse the skin of dead particles, but also has a stimulating effect on blood vessels.
- For massage, it is useful to use a mixture of cocoa butter with olive and castor oil. All components are taken in equal amounts.
- Wraps for stretch marks and cellulite - cocoa butter is melted in a water bath, olive and almond are added. The resulting mixture is applied to problem areas, a layer of polyethylene film is applied on top. Then you need to cover yourself with a warm blanket and lie down quietly for 40–45 minutes. After the specified time, a warm shower is taken. To obtain a positive result, it is necessary to undergo a full course of wraps, which consists of 10 procedures - 2-3 wraps are done a week.
Cocoa butter for hair care
Each girl can independently use cocoa butter at home for hair care. This natural remedy helps moisturize and nourish strands, especially when combined with a scalp massage. As a result, more nutrients are supplied to the hair roots, and the blood circulation process is improved.
For hair care, you can use the following recipes:
- A mask with the addition of cocoa butter helps to stop hair loss. The product contains kefir and olive oil, boiled egg yolk. All components are thoroughly mixed until the mass acquires a homogeneous consistency. The mixture is applied to the hair, to the root area and left for 60 minutes. The head is covered with polyethylene and insulated with a towel. The mask is washed off with plenty of warm water. It is recommended to carry out this procedure several times a week.
- To maintain the beauty and health of your hair, it is beneficial to make a mask with the addition of cocoa butter. The composition includes an infusion of rosemary - 1 tbsp. boiling water is poured into 2 tbsp. l. raw materials. The finished mask is applied to the hair and left for 2 hours. The product is washed off with warm water and shampoo.
How to make cocoa butter at home?
Today, cocoa butter is a fairly affordable product that can be easily found in a pharmacy or specialty store. Natural oil is produced by various companies both in the form of a solid bar and a liquid substrate or cocoa powder.
Everyone can easily and quickly prepare their own cocoa butter at home, which will be much better than a store product. To do this, you need to adhere to the following scheme:
- First of all, you need to choose only high-quality cocoa beans. The ideal option would be to use not spoiled and well-ripened fruits.
- Cocoa beans are well roasted in the oven for 25 minutes at 120 ° C.
- Then the fruits are left for a while until they cool down or are simply blown by a fan, thereby removing all excess husk.
- Using a blender or coffee grinder, grind the product until a smooth paste is obtained.
- The mixture is passed through a juicer, but only in small portions.
- The liquid that will be obtained is cocoa butter.
- At room temperature, in its natural form, the product very quickly becomes hard.
Before using the cocoa butter, you just need to melt it in a water bath.
Cocoa butter: benefits and harms
Cocoa butter is incredibly healthy in its purest form. If the product does not contain a variety of foreign impurities, it can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, this remedy helps to cure a cough, restore the balance of the skin, accelerate the healing process of wounds, and effectively prevent age-related changes. That is why cocoa butter is versatile and has a wide range of actions.
However, even such a valuable product can be harmful. The thing is that it has a high calorie content. Cocoa butter contains a large amount of fatty acids. That is why nutritionists are advised to minimize the use of this product. First of all, these recommendations apply to people suffering from obesity and in the case of a diagnosis of a disease such as diabetes mellitus.
Before using cocoa butter, it is imperative to conduct an allergy test, since, if available, it is strictly prohibited to use this product. This product has no more contraindications, except for individual intolerance.
For more informative information about cocoa butter, see the following video:
