Your Guide To The Skincare Benefits Of Luscious Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is a decadent, rich, and effective moisturizer for dry skin. Cocoa butter is a naturally occurring fat that comes from the cacao bean. Growers harvest cocoa seeds from cocoa pods and roast them; the dried and roasted seeds then are pressed or ground and the resulting product is cocoa butter. True to its origins, cocoa butter smells like chocolate. Thanks to its edible quality, cocoa butter is a common ingredient in lip balms, though it's also popular — and equally effective — in body care products.

Not only does it smell delicious, but it also comes with a lot of goodness for dry skin. Its rich, creamy texture soothes dry skin, making it a favorite for winter skincare, or a staple for those who struggle with year-round dryness. While its chocolatey goodness makes cocoa butter an appealing product to keep on hand, it does have its cons, making it unsuitable for all skin types. We've broken down everything there is to know about this cult-classic moisturizer.

Cocoa butter can do a lot for your skin, thanks to its high antioxidant content. It's rich in polyphenols, which are plant-derived antioxidants that bring nutrients to the skin. In a study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, researchers found that the polyphenols specific to cocoa butter were effective at targeting skin elasticity and collagen production, as well as the effects of aging. It's worth noting that this was one study and more research needs to be conducted to assert these claims.

Another interesting tidbit that came out of the study was that raw cocoa butter and cosmetic products that contain cocoa butter have the same positive effects on the skin. So you can reap the benefits of this amazing product through moisturizers and skincare that's infused with cocoa butter, like Kiehl's Creme de Corps Body Lotion. Another cult classic is Palmer's cocoa butter body care, which is also very affordable. Raw cocoa butter has a rich, chocolate scent that's certainly decadent, but it can also be overpowering. Refined cocoa butter doesn't have a powerful smell, but it's just as effective as its raw counterpart, so there's no need to stress if you can only find refined cocoa butter. It'll be just as good. In fact, many skin care products with cocoa butter have other nutrient-rich ingredients that pair well with the fatty oil, like shea butter, Vitamin E, and squalene.

Since it's high in fatty acids, cocoa butter does wonders for dry skin. Cocoa butter acts as an emollient by creating a protective layer on the top of the skin to keep water in and prevent transepidermal hydration loss. Its creamy, rich texture is an added benefit to its moisturizing abilities. "Cocoa butter products should be gentle on the skin but also thick and hydrating," dermatologist Nava Greenfield told Byrdie. Because of its gentleness and moisturizing capabilities, cocoa butter is a great choice as a daily product. "Use a generous amount one to two times per day on your trunk and extremities," Greenfield added. So cocoa butter gets the dermatologist's stamp of approval for consistent dry skin relief.

For those who suffer from dry skin, the relief that cocoa butter offers is immediate. You won't have to wait to see its positive effects. Plus, since it's approved for daily use, you can regularly lean into the richness of this hydrating superpower.

Cocoa butter has a lot of lore around it that's worth mentioning. The beloved moisturizer has famously been lauded as a remedy for stretch marks. In fact, Palmer's makes a cocoa butter-based product specifically for this called Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Pregnancy Stretch Marks. While it's targeted towards skin stretching caused by pregnancy, it also claims to work on skin stretching caused by many different reasons, like weight gain, surgery, etc. It's worth noting, though, that more research is needed to conclusively claim that cocoa butter can fix stretch marks. However, it does have a large cult following for this reason. 

In a study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that cocoa butter showed significant results in terms of skin health, and claimed that it could treat skin conditions like psoriasis and wound healing. It would be wise to consult with your doctor first on this subject. If you're acne-prone, it's widely advised not to use cocoa butter on your face since it's incredibly rich and could result in more breakouts. "Caution should be exercised if you're acne-prone, as this can clog pores," dermatologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil told Byrdie. So cocoa butter works best as a body moisturizer, particularly if facial acne is a concern.