Cocoa Butter

Theobroma cacao

The natural, beneficial properties of Cocoa Butter make it a lipid suitable for aromatherapy work.

Cocoa Butter is moisturizing, leaves a protective barrier on the skin, is gentle and can be included in massage blends, lotions, creams and other natural skin care products. Cocoa Butter is well recognized for its ability to keep the skin supple and to help prevent or reduce stretch marks or scars. It is said that cocoa butter is rich in anti-oxidants. Pure cocoa butter has a distinctive chocolate aroma that will compete with the aroma of any essential oils that you blend with it.

Botanical Name

Theobroma cacao

Aroma

Unrefined cocoa butter has a rich, sweet, chocolate-like aroma. The cocoa aroma is less noticeable in refined or deodorized cocoa butter.

Texture

Solid and hard to work with at room temperature. Breaks into pieces. To work with Cocoa Butter, soak the container in hot water. The edges of the cocoa butter will melt so that the butter can be removed from the container. Because cocoa butter is such a hard butter, it should be combined other vegetable oils or butters to make a balm, lotion or cream.

Color

Tan

Shelf Life

Up to 5 Years
(Store in airtight container in cool, dry location.)

Important Information

The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

General Safety Information

Use caution when trying any new ingredient, including carrier oils on the skin or in the hair. Those with nut allergies should consult their medical practitioner before coming into contact with nut oils, butters or other nut products. Do not take any oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Safety information can be found by visiting the Safety Information page. For very in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand.

Carrier Oil Book Suggestions

Click on a book's title to view details and read a full review for the book. Visit AromaWeb's Books area to find details about many other essential oil and aromatherapy books.

The Carrier Oil Palette: Fixed Oils, Butters, Herbal Oils, and CO2 Extracts of the Carrier Oil Palette
Authors: Jade Shutes & Sherilyn Siegmund-Roach

Power of the Seed: Your Guide to Oils for Health & Beauty
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Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage
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