Don’t you love the luxurious feel and scent of cocoa butter on your skin? I reckon cocoa butter is skin caviar for the poor woman. It leaves your skin silky soft and smelling amazing after. Sadly, when I got seborrheic dermatitis, I found that cocoa butter may not be the best thing for my skin anymore.
Cocoa butter contains many beneficial compounds that may help reduce the inflammation associated with seborrheic dermatitis. However, it’s also very rich and high in long-chain fatty acids which can cause clogged pores, oily skin, encourage Malassezia growth and aggravate seborrheic dermatitis.
Let’s explore the skin benefits of cocoa butter and the potential risks of using cocoa butter on seborrheic dermatitis:
What is cocoa butter?
Cocoa butter is a type of fat that is derived from the cocoa bean. It’s used in a variety of products, including chocolate (yum!), cosmetics, and extensively in skincare. Cocoa butter has a creamy, pale yellow color and a mild, chocolate-like aroma. It’s solid at room temperature but quickly melts on contact with the skin, making it an effective emollient and moisturizer.
Cocoa butter is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. It’s also a source of antioxidants, which may help to protect the skin from free radicals and other harmful substances that can contribute to inflammation. As it’s also affordable and easily available, cocoa butter is a popular ingredient in many homemade beauty and personal care products, including lotions, lip balms, and body butters.
Does cocoa butter help with seborrheic dermatitis?
Some people believe that cocoa butter can be helpful for managing seborrheic dermatitis because it may help to reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin, and provide a protective barrier against irritants.
There is actually limited (none) scientific research on the effectiveness of cocoa butter for seborrheic dermatitis. Some studies have suggested that cocoa butter may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could potentially be beneficial for reducing redness and swelling associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Cocoa butter is also rich in antioxidants, which may help to protect the skin from free radicals and other harmful substances that can contribute to inflammation.
However, cocoa butter is high in saturated and unsaturated fats, including palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid. These fatty acids are thought to be responsible for cocoa butter’s emollient properties and its ability to moisturize and nourish the skin. As we know, Malassezia loves long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and thrive on it. Our skin is also more sensitive to oleic acid and some studies have found that this LCFA contributes to the inflammatory response.
Is cocoa butter antifungal?
There is limited scientific research on the antifungal properties of cocoa butter. Some sources suggest that cocoa butter may have antifungal activity, although more research is needed to confirm this.
One study found that cocoa butter was effective at inhibiting the growth of certain types of fungi, including Tricophyton rubum, Tricophyton tonsurans and Microsporum gypseum. However, this study was conducted in a laboratory setting, included essential oils and didn’t examine the effectiveness of cocoa butter in humans.
I couldn’t find any lab or human studies on the effects of cocoa butter on Malassezia, dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis although there are many sources touting cocoa butter as an awesome scalp treatment.
Does cocoa butter make seborrheic dermatitis worse?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cocoa butter will necessarily make seborrheic dermatitis worse. In fact, some people with seborrheic dermatitis may find that cocoa butter helps to reduce their symptoms, such as itching and flakiness. Cocoa butter has not been studied as a treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, and its effectiveness may vary from person to person.
In fact, using cocoa butter on affected areas may worsen symptoms due to its high fat content. Cocoa butter contains fatty acids that can clog pores and lead to further inflammation around them.
I’ve personally found cocoa butter to be way too rich for my face and neck, causing clogged pores, oily skin and increased itchiness. I don’t recommend cocoa butter for seborrheic-dermatitis affected skin at all. However, cocoa butter is an awesome moisturizer for the rest of your body that is not affected by seb derm.
Components of cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is a natural product that is extracted from the cocoa bean. It is rich in a variety of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including:
- Fatty acids: Cocoa butter is high in saturated and unsaturated fats, including palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid. These fatty acids are thought to be responsible for cocoa butter’s emollient properties and its ability to moisturize and nourish the skin.
- Antioxidants: Cocoa butter is a good source of antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenols, and procyanidins. These compounds are thought to help protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and other environmental stressors.
- Vitamin E: Cocoa butter is a good source of vitamin E, which is an important nutrient for maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from oxidative stress and may help to reduce the appearance of scars and other skin imperfections.
- Phytosterols: Cocoa butter contains small amounts of phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Phytosterols may help to reduce redness, swelling, and irritation associated with certain skin conditions.
Cocoa butter also contains small amounts of other minerals and vitamins, including calcium, iron, and vitamin K.
Skin benefits of cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is solid at room temperature but melts at body temperature, making it an ideal ingredient for use in lotions, creams, and other skincare products. It is known for its emollient properties, which means that it helps to soften and moisturize the skin. Cocoa butter is also rich in antioxidants, which may help to protect the skin from free radicals and other harmful substances that can contribute to inflammation.
It’s also sometimes used as a natural remedy for a variety of health conditions, including stretch marks, scars, and dry skin. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of cocoa butter for these uses has not been extensively studied, and more research is needed to determine its potential benefits.