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10 Nov 2006

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter (theobroma oil), chocolate and cocoa are extracted from the the cacao bean. Due to it's high melting point cocoa butter is used in the process of making chocolate which then keeps the chocolate solid at room temperature but melts in the mouth at body temperature. Cocoa butter also adds richness to the chocolate. Yum ! Yum !

The butter, is a very stable fat and has a shelf life of more than two years without becoming rancid. This is due to the antioxidents that it contains. Cocoa butter is yellowish-white with a wonderful fragrance and a smooth texture.

Cocoa butter is used an an ingredient in cosmetics and skin care products. It has been said to enhance a suntan and is excellent for fading stretch marks. It is excellent for making your own skin products with it.

An excellent example of how to use cocoa butter is given on the site MakeYourOwnCosmetics. They also have some other wonderful recipes so do pop in and visit.

Cocoa Butter Dry Skin Complex
submitted by HandMadeBeauty (HTN) President Donna Maria
This thick, rich "complex" for dry skin is made with lots of cocoa butter and other oils designed to aid dry skin. While it is liquid at room temperature, it is rather thick and requires shaking a little before using. I used unscented cocoa butter so I could add essential oils and not have to worry about a chocolate aroma, but you can use scented cocoa butter just as well if you like the aroma of chocolate. If you use unscented cocoa butter, you will enjoy the blend of essential oils ... a fresh, clean and soothing combination.

20 grams (2Tbsps*)unscented cocoa butter
18 grams (2Tbsps*)sesame oil
18 grams (2Tbsps*)extra virgin olive oil
18 grams (2Tbsps*)avocado oil
1 drop clary sage essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop rose essential oil
1 drop geranium essential oil
*approx conversion

Place cocoa butter, sesame oil, olive oil and avocado oil in a heat proof (I use Pyrex) measuring cup, and place the cup in a saucepan of boiling water. Once the cocoa butter is nearly melted, remove the mixture from heat and stir with a clean spoon or pop sickle stick to mix well. Make sure the cocoa butter is completely melted and mixed in. Add the essential oils next and stir well to incorporate. Pour the mixture into a glass bottle with a dropper top and dispense a little at a time to soothe and protect dry skin.

In cooler climates, this Cocoa Butter Dry Skin Complex could harden a bit. If this happens, just warm it under warm water before using or store it in a sunny window to keep it pourable.

Why not experiment and make your own skin care products ?

Tabs:

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This recipe almost sounds good enough to eat Jackie! I have quite dry skin and often use products containing cocoa butter. I'm going to have a look at the natural cosmetics site you mentioned.

Anonymous said...

I swear I'm going to find the time to make this recipe, Jackie, lol!

I think it's a keeper!