Cocoa butter

What it is

Cocoa butter is a fat pressed from cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao). It is solid at room temperature, melts on skin, and is rich in long-chain saturated fatty acids, triglycerides and antioxidants.

Function

Cocoa butter functions as a rich emollient with occlusive character. Its saturated fatty acids are stable and sit on the skin surface, forming a barrier that traps moisture. It is long used for very dry skin and to improve skin suppleness and elasticity.

Properties

Cocoa butter carries a comedogenic rating of around 4 on a 0 to 5 scale, meaning a higher likelihood of clogging pores, particularly on the face or for congestion-prone skin. Its thick consistency can leave a greasy film.

In tattoo aftercare

Cocoa butter appears in some tattoo balms and is used for maintaining and conditioning healed tattoos. Its heaviness and higher comedogenic rating make it more suited to long-term care than to fresh, actively-healing tattoos.

Considerations

Better suited to healed skin than fresh tattoos. Those prone to congestion may find a lighter emollient preferable.

This is general, factual information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice or a product recommendation. If your skin reacts to anything during healing, stop using it and speak to your artist or a GP.