Vegetable fat from ground chocolate tree grains has a peculiar taste and pleasant smell. Fragrant cocoa butter is appreciated in the confectionery industry, cosmetology and medicine. We will find out what effect the product has on the skin and hair, how to use the product correctly at home.
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Cocoa Butter: Useful Properties in Cosmetology
Unlike most other vegetable fats, cocoa butter is not liquid, but solid. Has a whitish yellow or cream color, a delicate aroma of chocolate, crumbles when pressed. A piece of oil will retain hardness at room temperature, at 32 ° C it starts to melt, and at 40 ° C it turns into a clear liquid.
The main components of cocoa butter:
- triglycerides;
- fatty acids (FA);
- vitamins A, E, group B;
- polyphenols;
- tannins.
About 40% of the mass is in omega-6 and 9 unsaturated FAs (linoleic and oleic). Saturated fatty acids are also available: stearic, lauric and palmitic. Minerals: potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus.
Cocoa bean oil has a set of beneficial properties due to its rich composition. The natural product does not deteriorate for two years, because it contains antioxidants.
In medicine and cosmetology, unrefined cocoa butter is used. Leading cosmetic brands include valuable raw materials in creams for dry, mature and baby skin.
Useful properties of cocoa butter:
- nutritious;
- moisturizing;
- anti-inflammatory;
- regenerative;
- soothing;
- emollient.
The best penetration of the active ingredients into the dermis is facilitated by palmitic acid. Oleic FA improves elasticity and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Vitamin A stimulates the production of collagen, helps in the healing of cracks. Polyphenols prevent inflammation and the development of allergic reactions. Cocoa butter almost instantly softens the skin, eliminates its irritation.
Beauty Application
After applying cocoa butter to the face or body, a thin, transparent film forms that protects against weathering and moisture loss. This effect is especially important for dryness, increased sensitivity of the epidermis, and withering of the skin. Consider the use of cocoa butter in various areas of cosmetology.
Cocoa Butter For Hair
The tool makes the hair smooth, shiny, obedient. To enhance the effect, you can add rosemary oil. Vegetable fats nourish the hair follicle, restore health and strength to curls. The easiest way to use cocoa butter for hair is to apply the product on the scalp before washing it.
Skin Benefits
Cocoa butter is often part of cosmetic creams. Vegetable fat does not mask, but helps eliminate skin imperfections (facial wrinkles, small age spots, small spider veins).
The result of application depends on the initial state of the dermis. The most effective creams with natural fatty acids and vitamins for peeling and the first signs of aging. Cocoa butter ingredients soften and even out the epidermis, helps restore lipid balance.
A herbal product is used to nourish, moisturize and smooth the skin around the eyes. Cocoa butter does not cause swelling and redness, but it is applied to the sensitive areas of the face with the thinnest layer, used with great care. You can add other oils - peach or almond in a ratio of 1: 2. The same tool is used to treat cracks in the corners of the mouth, as a protective lip balm.
Body Cocoa Butter
The cosmetic product is well absorbed into the skin, almost does not leave a greasy shine. However, in its pure form, cocoa butter is not applied to the body. Most often used with other oils: jojoba, olive, castor. Such mixtures are suitable for relaxing and anti-cellulite massage, prevention of stretch marks, including during pregnancy.
Cocoa butter ingredients enhance the synthesis of the melanin pigment, which is appreciated in the manufacture of cosmetic sunblocks. They do not interfere with the penetration of harmful ultraviolet radiation. After applying the cream, you need to be careful while in the sun in the summer.
Cosmetic cocoa butter for the skin is used in its pure form to lubricate small scars and scars, spots after acne. First, a small slice is warmed in the hands, then rubbed into the problem area. You can use the product to care for dry skin on the elbows, knees and heels.
Read also:peach hair oil
Effective Cocoa Butter Recipes
Thanks to the use of a natural remedy, fine wrinkles are smoothed out after a few weeks, peeling decreases, and complexion improves.
Moisturizing mask for all skin types
1 tsp melted cocoa butter mixed with mashed banana or strawberry. Apply a mask to the face. After 15 minutes, you need to wash with cold water.
Anti wrinkle mask
A handful of parsley leaves is crushed using a blender, mixed with melted cocoa butter. Apply the mass, gently rubbing along the massage lines of the face. Leave the mask for half an hour, after which it is washed off with cold water.
Mask for nourishing and moisturizing the skin
First, prepare juice from fresh carrots. To 1 tsp. the ingredient is added the same amount of melted cocoa butter, honey, egg yolk and 10 drops of lemon juice. All components are thoroughly mixed. Apply the product on clean skin, leave for 20 minutes.The mixture is removed with a cotton pad, then washed. Complete the procedure with a light facial massage using an ice cube.
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Anti-cellulite body scrub
Mix 2 tbsp. l sugar and ground coffee. Add 1 tbsp. l pre-melted cocoa butter. The mixture is cooled. Apply the product to problem areas of the skin and massage. The procedure helps to improve microcirculation, strengthen the vascular walls.
Egg Yolk Hair Mask
One tablespoon of deodorized cocoa butter is heated in a water bath to 40 ° C. Then add the crushed yolk. The resulting mass is applied to the hair under a plastic hat and a soft towel. After an hour and a half, the mask is washed off in the shower. The volume of components can be increased depending on the length of the hair.
Contraindications
Allergies to butter and cocoa powder are rare. However, it should be borne in mind that the individual intolerance of these products and chocolate is the main contraindication for their use. Before using cocoa butter, be sure to carry out an allergy test. A drop of the product is applied to the skin behind the ear or on the elbow. With individual intolerance, itching, redness, blisters occur.
It is not recommended to use cocoa butter for oily and combination skin. The tool can have a comedogenic effect.
Cocoa butter is used to moisturize and nourish the skin, strengthen and rejuvenate the skin by stimulating collagen production. The cosmetic product fights the signs of aging: wrinkles, age spots. Cocoa butter enhances the production of tanning, is widely used for massage with anti-cellulite effect, as a basis for scrubs, cosmetic masks and creams.
