Indulging in the decadence of chocolate is a universal pleasure, and as it turns out, this delight extends beyond the palate to soapmaking. Cocoa butter, derived from the seeds of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao), has been a cherished beauty secret for centuries. Historically, indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica and Africa used cocoa butter for its moisturizing and healing properties, applying it to the skin to protect against harsh weather and promote wound healing. However, it wasn’t until the 1920s-1930s that cocoa butter gained popularity in Western cosmetics and skincare, particularly in moisturizers, lotions, and scar treatments. Here’s why we use cocoa butter in some of our soap bars.
Intense Moisturization:
Cocoa butter is renowned for its exceptional moisturizing properties. Rich in fatty acids, it forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and ensuring deep hydration. This makes it particularly beneficial for dry or parched skin, leaving it feeling velvety smooth and revitalized.
Antioxidant Powerhouse:
Bursting with antioxidants, cocoa butter is a formidable defender against free radicals. These antioxidants, including polyphenols, help neutralize oxidative stress and protect the skin from environmental aggressors.
Skin Elasticity and Collagen Support:
Cocoa butter contains compounds that promote the production of collagen, the essential protein responsible for maintaining skin elasticity. This makes cocoa butter an excellent choice for preventing and reducing the appearance of stretch marks, especially during pregnancy or periods of rapid weight gain.
Healing Properties:
The natural healing properties of cocoa butter make it an effective remedy for various skin concerns. It has been traditionally used to soothe irritated or inflamed skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis. Additionally, cocoa butter aids in the healing of scars and minor wounds, fostering a smoother and more even skin tone.
Aromatherapeutic Benefits:
Beyond its skincare attributes, the rich, chocolatey aroma of cocoa butter adds an indulgent sensory experience to your shower routine. The delightful scent can evoke feelings of relaxation and pleasure, turning your skincare ritual into a pampering and enjoyable moment of self-care. This is more prominent in our unscented bars.
Sunburn Relief:
Cocoa butter possesses mild sun protection properties, offering a natural shield against harmful UV rays. While NOT a replacement for sunscreen, adding cocoa butter into your skincare routine can provide additional moisture and a layer of protection, particularly for those with sensitive skin.
Versatility for All Skin Types:
Cocoa butter’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of skin types. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, cocoa butter can be seamlessly integrated into your routine to address various concerns. Its non-comedogenic nature means it won’t clog pores, making it a go-to option for those prone to breakouts.
We use cocoa butter in our goat milk soaps. Not only does it help to harden the soap, but it’s profound moisturizing abilities helps those who need a little more hydration in their bath bars.
Soapmaker Tips: Cocoa butter is a fantastic ingredient in soapmaking, adding a rich, creamy lather and a luxurious feel to your bars. But since it’s a brittle butter, using too much can make your soap too hard (resulting in cracks) and reduce lather, so a good rule of thumb is to keep it around 10-15% of your total oils. It pairs beautifully with coconut oil and olive oil to balance out hardness and conditioning properties. One trick is to add it at the end of the cook if you’re making hot process soap—this helps retain more of its natural goodness! If you’re working with cold process, make sure to fully melt it and mix well to avoid any grainy texture. And don’t forget, cocoa butter has a subtle chocolatey scent that can add depth to your fragrance blends, especially when paired with vanilla, coffee, or warm spice notes.
Pro Tips:
A few more tips to take your soap to the next level. Hooray!
Pre-chop for Easy Melting – Cocoa butter is super hard at room temperature, so chopping it into small pieces before melting speeds things up and prevents overheating. This butter also takes longer to melt, so I heat it separately from other softer butters, then combine all melted butters together.
• Boost Lather with Castor Oil – Since cocoa butter can slightly reduce bubbles, adding 5% castor oil to your recipe helps maintain a nice, bubbly lather.
• Try It in Whipped Soaps – If you’re making a whipped or floating soap, keep cocoa butter on the lower side (around 5%) since too much hardness can make it difficult to whip.
• Layer It with Other Butters – Blending cocoa butter with shea or mango butter keeps the soap from getting too brittle while still adding creaminess.
• Cocoa Butter Swirls? Yes, Please! – In hot process soap, reserve a small amount of cocoa butter and mix it with mica or powder to create beautiful, swirled designs.
• Storage Matters – Cocoa butter has a long shelf life, but storing it in a cool, dry place (or even in the fridge) helps prevent it from developing a grainy texture over time.
• Experiment with Natural Scents – Unrefined cocoa butter has a light chocolatey aroma that pairs wonderfully with essential oils like peppermint, orange, or cinnamon for a natural scent boost.