Cocoa Butter Is Your Key to Soft, Supple Skin

If baby-soft skin is what you're after, consider adding cocoa butter to your body-care routine. Cocoa butter is a common skin-care ingredient in many topical products like lotions, creams, and lip balms. However, it can also be used on its own due to its wide range of benefits, particularly its moisturizing properties.

But before you start slathering cocoa butter on, we asked two board-certified experts to explain what cocoa butter is, its skin benefits, and how to incorporate it into your routine. Keep reading to learn more.

Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, is a dermatologist at Orentreich Medical Group.

Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell.

Cocoa butter, also known as theobroma oil (its maiden name), is a pale-yellow, edible fat extracted from the cocoa bean, Theobroma cacao, dermatologist Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, tells PS. It is used to make chocolate and is a common ingredient in topical products and cosmetics. Some might say that in high school, its superlative would have been "most likely to moisturize."

According to board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, cocoa butter offers several benefits for the skin. Rich in fatty acids, cocoa butter helps to nourish and moisturize the skin, making it an excellent moisturizer for dry and rough skin. She explains that the antioxidants in cocoa butter help protect the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. "Regular use can improve skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks," she says. Cocoa butter is also known for its soothing properties, making it effective in calming irritation and inflammation.

Dr. LoGerfo explains that cocoa butter is nourishing and can improve the skin's elasticity and texture. It helps retain moisture in the skin, acting as a humectant, and is rich in phytochemicals. Plus, if you spend a lot of time in the sun, cocoa butter can offer photoprotection against ultraviolet (UV) light. "Cocoa butter may be helpful in absorbing UV light and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties," she says.

For those who enjoy a touch of luxury, cocoa butter has a smooth texture that blends into the skin easily and a pleasant scent that elevates your skin-care routine.

Dr. Garshick recommends starting to use cocoa butter by warming a small amount in your hands until it becomes a smooth, spreadable consistency, then applying it directly to your skin. Focus on areas that need hydration or have scars and stretch marks. For best results, she suggests using it after a shower or bath when your skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture. Cocoa butter can be used on the face, body, and lips to keep them soft and moisturized.

As for frequency, there's no limit on how often you can use cocoa butter. Dr. LoGero suggests using cocoa butter alone or in another product once or twice a day.

"When using cocoa butter, keep in mind that it can be quite rich and may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with oily or acne-prone skin," Dr. Garshick says. It's also worth avoiding cocoa butter or cocoa butter products if you are allergic or sensitive to it. "Individuals with active acne breakouts, any type of skin infection, psoriasis, skin that has any discharge or scabs, current herpes infections, or any other skin condition that causes broken or tender skin should also avoid products containing cocoa butter," says Dr. LoGerfo. When in doubt, ask a professional.

For best results, use cocoa butter consistently as part of your skin-care routine. "Combining it with other nourishing ingredients, like shea butter or essential oils, can enhance its effectiveness and provide additional benefits for your skin," Dr. Garshick says.

Iman Balagam is a freelance journalist and brand consultant who specializes in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. The Texas native's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Vogue, Allure, and Elle.