Cocoa butter vs shea butter? Which one is better?
Lets discuss!
Getting rid of dry skin has ample ways but the best to infuse in your daily skincare routine is something that will persist longer. Have you heard of cocoa butter or even shea butter?
Well, of course, you have! The products sound familiar to you as well as the venture through repairing your dry skin. Both the forms of butter are very much nourishing to the skin. It helps in making your skin feel healthy and smooth.
Both cocoa and shea butter have long-lasting moisture that becomes a crucial part of your skincare routine. Being an excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, shea butter helps in moisturizing your skin further preventing premature aging.
On the other hand, the application of cocoa butter has a high-fat content. It builds a protective barrier all over your skin. When you are in a dilemma on what to use and become the best for you, we need to make the call ourselves.
We could help you further in garnering the basic details and differences between cocoa butter vs shea butter. Let’s get started!
What is cocoa butter?
Also known as Theobroma oil, Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids. It is acquired from the fat content of cacao beans. The cacao pod seeds are dried, roasted and pressed, and the vegetable fat is acquired from the beans. This fat makes way to become cocoa butter. The formula of the butter makes it all the way more potential to hydrate and nourish your skin enhancing elasticity.
The fat present in cocoa butter forms a protective barrier all over your skin that helps in holding moisture. Furthermore, cocoa butter is also rich in natural plant compounds known as phytochemicals. Being replete with antioxidants and emollients, cocoa butter is highly beneficial for your skin.
What is shea butter?
Also known as Mother Nature’s Conditioner, shea butter is acquired from the shea nuts of the shea tree. The natural fat is extracted through crushing and boiling the tree’s ripe nut or fruit. The butter is yellow-ivory having a consistent buttery, thick substance when kept at room temperature.
Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins that make it a perfect product for collagen production and UV ray protection. The buttery texture has got 60% fat making it ideal for penetrating the skin. The natural moisturizer in shea butter becomes analogous to the sebaceous glands of your skin. All the things packed make way for a moisturizing miracle for your skin.
Cocoa and shea butter difference
You might be looking forward to a natural beauty option. And in different products, you could have seen the presence of shea butter or cocoa butter. But what exactly is the difference between the two? Which is better than the other? Well, let’s get to the details here!
Main source
- The main, first and foremost difference between cocoa vs shea butter is their source of origin. Cocoa butter is extracted from real cocoa beans. On the other hand, shea butter is acquired from the nuts/fruit of the shea tree.
- The major difference here is that cocoa is a bean while shea is nuts.
- Also known as the cacao tree, the cocoa tree is found in the regions of South and Central America. Here on the other end, the shea tree is available only in Africa.
- Furthermore, cocoa butter is removed from the beans with the help of a hydraulic press or extrusion. This leaves behind the unrefined butter that comes with different characteristics and smells.
- Shea nuts are boiled for several hours, sun-dried followed by churned into a thick paste. The fat is then extracted from the paste and converted into butter.
Outlook and smell
- Unrefined shea butter has a creamy ivory color. The natural smell of shea butter is nutty and smoky due to the roast.
- Unrefined cocoa butter is a little darker than shea butter. It is browner in color. The natural scent has a chocolate edge to it.
- Speaking of consistency, shea butter is soft and pliable. It easily melts when it comes in contact with your skin.
- Cocoa butter is hard. You need to use a tool for breaking the butter and putting it to use on your skin. You need to produce friction in your palms or fingers to make use of the butter on your skin.
Benefits of cocoa and shea butter
Cocoa Butter
The fats present in cocoa butter are an outstanding source of moisture for your skin. It further helps in skin rejuvenation. Cocoa butter is rich in antioxidants and does have ample anti-inflammatory properties.
According to a study, cocoa butter has flavanols that help in improving blood flow and circulation right below the dermal layer of the skin. It further helps in boosting overall skin health.
If you are looking forward to combat damage and fine lines that come with aging, cocoa butter comes to your rescue.
Cocoa butter is a great product for soothing skin allergies. It does have cocoa mass polyphenol that restricts the production of immunoglobulin found in the skin, lungs and mucous membranes that boosts the growth of eczema and atopic dermatitis.
Using cocoa butter in your skincare regime will enhance your skin tone, boost elasticity and promote collagen production.
Not just that, it further helps in healing and fading away scars, chapped lips and skin. Works best for dry skin.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is also rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E that help in the protection of the skin against free radicals and UV radiation. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe skin reactions to irritants.
If you are looking forward to protecting your skin from sun exposure or environmental irritants, choosing a shea butter moisturizer is the best for your skin.
Shea butter could only cause allergies for people who are allergic to any form of nuts.
It does work on all skin types and also helps in the prevention of blackheads. It further helps in the promotion of collagen production.
Heals chapped lips and skin and reduces acne scars. Not just that, it has antimicrobial properties that fight off infections.
The presence of Vitamin E and A strengthens and repairs the skin, and offers UV protection due to caffeic acid. The presence of Linoleic acid helps in sealing moisture.
Cocoa vs shea butter – which one is better?
In the end, which is better, cocoa butter or shea butter? Well, both the products are best in their way. They are both great for the skin and both have shared beneficial properties. It is hard to choose a winner on our side. You have a clear call to take.
Almost 80% of people face acne issues. If you are looking for a natural solution, shea butter is best for acne-prone skin. This is because cocoa butter is on the oilier edge. Shea butter gets the buzz for all the dermatological issues. This includes eczema. But if you are suffering from stretch marks, cocoa butter wins the point. Only if you are an oily skin person, the suggestion is to stick to shea butter as cocoa butter could clog the pores.
Cocoa butter has high antioxidant properties that help in neutralizing free radicals. Damaged skin heals better with cocoa butter. Again, everything goes the way round depending on what skin type you have! If you ask us, the clear winner for all skin types is shea butter.
Bottom line
Both cocoa butter and shea butter have similar properties. They are just used for different purposes. All are natural, organic and vegan even. If you have acne-prone skin, you may consider cocoa butter only if you do not have oily skin. You could even opt for the DIY recipe at home to use cocoa butter on your skin for healthier results.
FAQs
What is better than shea butter?
Murumuru butter is better than Shea butter for hair and skin.
Is cocoa butter or shea butter more moisturizing?
Both cocoa butter and shea butter are moisturizing but shea butter gets absorb fast and better for sunscreen.
Can I use shea butter instead of cocoa butter?
Both of them are having some different benefits so they can be used interchangeably.
Can I mix cocoa butter and shea butter together?
Yes, the combination of shea and cocoa butter with two nourishing oils makes a highly moisturizing combination.
