What Is the Difference between Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter?
The biggest difference between shea butter and cocoa butter is their origin. Shea butter is extracted from shea nuts, and cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa beans. Cocoa beans are the fruits of the cocoa tree, which is native to the Amazon forests and can also be found in other parts of Peru and in Mexico. The shea nut tree is found exclusively in Africa. Both butters are fats and have similar uses, but they have slightly different properties.
Both products are extracted from their respective fruits through the application of pressure, but in different ways. For shea butter, the nuts are boiled and sun-dried before being ground up and made into a paste, from which the fat is extracted and churned into butter. Cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa beans through extrusion or the use of an expeller, a screw press, or a hydraulic press.
The beauty industry makes good use of both butters. One or the other can be found in many cosmetics, soaps, lotions and creams. Cocoa butter is commonly used to treat skin conditions and stretch marks. Shea butter is also used as a skin treatment and on stretch marks, as well as on hair. The skin conditions that both butters can help treat include dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.
Cocoa butter is a highly concentrated fat that melts at body temperature, meaning that it is easily and quickly absorbed into the skin. Shea butter is also readily absorbed into the skin because it has large amounts of fatty acids in it. Although both are popular moisturizers, cocoa butter is more likely to be used in aromatherapy or massage lotions and treatments, because many people consider it to smell better than shea butter.
A substance called cocoa mass polyphenol (CMP) is found in cocoa butter, and it makes the butter effective in alleviating stress and boosting the immune system when it is massaged into the skin. Shea butter contains vitamin A and vitamin E. These vitally important vitamins help keep skin and eyes healthy and are the reason why shea butter can also boost the immune system. Shea butter has cinnamic acid in it as well, which can help protect the skin from damage by ultraviolet (UV) rays.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![Both shea butter and cocoa butter are used on stretch marks.]()
By: Leo LintangBoth shea butter and cocoa butter are used on stretch marks. -
![Cocoa butter is made from the cacao seed.]()
By: PrintempsCocoa butter is made from the cacao seed. -
![The fruit of shea trees is the source of shea butter.]()
By: ElenathewiseThe fruit of shea trees is the source of shea butter. -
![Cocoa butter melts at body temperature.]()
By: svl861Cocoa butter melts at body temperature. -
![Making cocoa butter involves collecting the fat that drips off of cocoa beans.]()
By: Jiri HeraMaking cocoa butter involves collecting the fat that drips off of cocoa beans.
Discussion Comments
I think shea butter has more medicinal properties than cocoa butter. I've read that it can be used for cuts, scars, scalp problems, athlete's feet and so many more things. It's good for moisturizing too, but I've seen more lotions with cocoa butter than with shea butter.
Cocoa butter does have some medicinal benefits as well. There was an article some months ago where it talked about a study showing that cocoa butter is good for blood circulation. But I've usually heard cocoa butter recommended and used for its moisturizing effects. Especially if your skin is really sensitive and becomes dry very quickly. It's in a lot of lip products for chapped lips too.
These two look really similar in solid form, so it's normal to confuse them. But if you pay more attention to the color and textures, there are differences. Like cocoa butter is a bit darker yellowish color than shea butter.
The scent is also a great way to tell them apart. When you smell cocoa butter, it really does smell chocolaty. Shea butter has a very different unique scent to it. If you smell them even once, I'm sure you can easily differentiate between them after that.
Post your comments