How do you choose between Shea butter vs Cocoa butter for your skin and hair care products? Well, it’s a conundrum, I agree. The most obvious point is that if you have a nut allergy, then shea butter will be a no-no (because it comes from the shea nut, but since cocoa butter comes from beans, it is safer…but any more than that, and it becomes difficult. Both are good vegan choices, and their chemical makeups are also similar. Both contain fatty acids, triglycerides, and antioxidants, which are incredibly nourishing, protective, and hydrating. But when you look a little closer, you’ll find they work differently in different applications, which we will explore in this article today.
They smell different. They have different hardnesses, bringing different textures to products.
Come with me to do a deep dive into the constituents and benefits of Shea butter and Cocoa butter so you can make balanced and informed decisions for your skin and hair care formulations and recipes. We’ll drill down to really get to know these fantastic products, which are so important to the world economy. We'll explore how using butters can help empower women of less affluent communities around the world, and then finally, I’ve added some DIY recipes for whipped body butters so you can get practical experience of weighing the differences of Shea butter vs Cocoa butter.
Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter
Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)
Shea Butter is derived from the nuts at the centre of the fruit of the Karité tree. These grow through Sub-Saharan Africa from Guinea in the west to Sudan on the east coast. She butter has been used for centuries to protect the skin and hair from the ravages of the harsh environment and the blazing desert sun. It is an important crop for the indigenous populations of the regions who process and sell the butters to support their families and communities.
Generally, the butter sold by these communities is unrefined. Since refining shea butter can damage the integrity of some of its natural chemicals, unrefined shea is richer in nourishing vitamins and antioxidant constituents.
Using unrefined Shea Butter should be a no-brainer then, but it does have quite a distinct odor that everyone likes. Refining shea also deodorizes it, which can be a safer option if you intend your product to be used by someone else.
Explore why Shea Butter is so important to the women of these African communities. The video also shows how they make Handcrafted Shea Butter.
Shea Butter Constituents
Fatty Acids
Shea butter is rich in fatty acids. Stearic acid and oleic acid support healthy skin barrier function. Stearic Acid is emollient, improving water levels in the skin. Protecting against water loss, it alleviates skin dehydration that can cause skin dryness and flaky patches. Palmitic Acid also moisturizes and balances hydration.
Protecting the integrity of the skin’s barrier, it soothes breaking and itching in skin conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.
Vitamins
Unrefined Shea butter is full of vitamins A, E, and F, which support healthy skin regeneration and fight visible signs of aging.
Vitamins A and E are powerful antioxidants that protect your skin against
free radicals, which contribute to environmental skin damage and signs of skin aging.
Both vitamins support healthy collagen production to maintain the elasticity of the skin. Healthy collagen levels plump and firm the skin to provide a more youthful appearance. It can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamins A & E also contribute to healthy wound healing, which can reduce the appearance of scarring.
Vitamin F is also known as linoleic acid, which has a vital role to play in skin cell repair as well as moisturizing the deeper levels of the skin and can make it appear plumper. Linoleic acid is a vital omega-6 chain fatty acid that our bodies cannot make on their own. It must be introduced into the body through diet or placed onto the skin in products like Shea butter.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides replenish moisture levels, condition and nourish our skin, making it healthier, plumper and smoother.
Triglycerides constituents promote skin healing and may also reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)
Derived from the beans of the cacao tree, which can be found all through Central and South America regions, Cocoa butter comes from the opposite side of the Atlantic to Shea. They enjoy different conditions. Shea grows in hot & dry desert regions, whereas Cocoa likes warm, humid, and shady areas.
Again, Cocoa is an important crop to the communities of South America, although it is a far more commercialized process since Cocoa also produces the raw ingredients of chocolate.
Cocoa butter goes through a slightly different process to Shea Butter because the beans are first fermented, then dried, roasted, and skinned. The dried and roasted beans are then ground down into Cocoa nibs and then ground further into powder.
The powder is poured into boiling water to make a paste, and as the water boils, oils form and separate on the top of the solution. The oil is removed and left to set to form Cocoa butter. It even smells reminiscent of chocolate.
Cocoa butter extraction process from Lady Ven at Venvenmusic & Countrylife in Jamaica.
Cocoa Butter’s Constituents
The composition of cocoa butter is very similar to Shea.
It is composed of around 60% saturated fat (palmitic and stearic acid), 35% monounsaturated fat (oleic acid), and 1% polyunsaturated fat (linoleic acid).
Vitamins & Antioxidants
Cocoa butter also contains a specific form of vitamin E known as tocotrienol.
‘Tocotrienol forms of natural vitamin E possess powerful hypocholesterolemic, anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties’ (Sen 2007).
Tocotrienol is also associated with promoting healthy hair growth.
Scapagnini (2014) writes:
“It is noteworthy that it has been shown that Cocoa has great potential not only for the treatment of skin diseases but also for their prevention. In particular, antioxidants found in Cocoa protect the skin from the inside by neutralizing oxidative stress, a major factor of dermal structure deterioration and premature skin aging” (Scapagnini, 2014)
We can use this preventative quality alongside other qualities like improving skin elasticity to help prevent and/or reduce the signs of stretch marks.
Comparisons between the Two
Shea Butter has numerous benefits for skin care. It protects your skin's barrier function, leaving it deeply nourished, moisturized, and feeling hydrated, soft, and supple.
Over time, it will rejuvenate your skin, encourage skin cell growth and renewal, and its antioxidants will reduce the visible signs of skin aging. It can help reduce scarring, too.
Its anti-inflammatory qualities are useful for sensitive, irritated, and inflamed skin, making it an ideal choice for those with skin conditions.
Effective skin cell regeneration improves the elasticity of our skin and how it looks. Giving you a smoother and more supple complexion. This boost to the skin’s elasticity can also help prevent the formation of stretch marks.
Is Cocoa Butter Good For Skin?
Packed with fatty acids, triglycerides, antioxidants, and vitamins, Cocoa butter will also boost your skin's barrier function and improve its appearance, leaving skin looking plump, smooth, and youthful. As we have discovered, it is not only a reactionary solution to premature signs of skin aging, it may also act as a preventative.
It can improve skin elasticity, which is useful in preventing and reducing stretch marks.
Pore Clogging Issues
Does Shea Butter OR Cocoa Butter Clog Pores?
This is a key difference between the two in deciding Shea butter vs Cocoa butter.
Is Shea Butter Non Comedogenic?
Shea Butter is classed as non-comedogenic and rated 0-2 on the comedogenic scale
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Shea Butter 0-2 - Far less likely to clog your pores
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Is Cocoa Butter Non Comedogenic?
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Cocoa - 4 - more likely to clog your pores.
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I’m not saying do not use Cocoa butter on your face, but I am saying keep it to a minimum. I would advise against daily use in high proportions and restrict it to 1-2 times a week instead. In much lower proportions, it can be used more readily.
Shea butter still has a small risk of clogging your pores. Consider what you use it in and what proportion you use. I’d not worry about using a moisturizer with 5% Shea butter daily. However, I might recommend using a night cream with 30% Shea butter less frequently, for this very reason.
What About Hair Care?
Is Shea Butter Good For Hair
Fatty acids moisturize and condition dry hair, which in turn reduces frizz and improves manageability. Shea Butter nourishes right down into the shaft of the hair, leaving hair looking and feeling smoother, shinier, and more manageable. It can also help reduce the appearance of split and dry ends.
Is Cocoa Butter Good For Hair?
Cocoa butter can deeply condition and moisturize your hair, making it ideal for brittle, dry and dehydrated hair. Fatty acids nourish the hair shafts and strengthen the hair from within, helping to reduce breakage and prevent split ends.
It can soothe the scalp and balance and restore moisture. This helps to reduce dryness, flaky skin, and scalp irritations, which can contribute to conditions like dandruff.
Cocoa Butter coats the hair shaft and seals in hydration and moisture. Softening the hair and making detangling easier and less inclined to breakage. This leaves hair looking shinier, and smoother, with less frizz and improved manageability.
Tocotrienols have also been shown to promote hair growth. We can use Cocoa butter along with carrier oils like Jojoba to promote strong, healthy growth.
Making Hair Care Products
Deciding between Shea butter vs Cocoa butter for hair mainly depends on your hair type.
Afro Hair
Afro hair tends to benefit a great deal from these rich nourishing butters, and the fatty acids have a highly beneficial effect on this hair type. Afro hair needs careful and consistent nourishment and care. However, when it comes to Shea butter vs Cocoa butter, it’s mostly a personal choice.
Our local Caribbean store also stocks a lot of African products too. The hair products he’d sourced from the Caribbean and especially Jamaica were very much Cocoa butter-based, but African ones used Shea. It was interesting to see the cultural differences set out before me.
Asian Hair
Again, when I stand in the local Indian/Pakistani stores, there is a distinct lean towards Coconut Oil for hair care, as there is throughout Asia. Cocoa butter seems to be more prevalent than Shea butter in this region of the world.
Like Afro hair, Asian hair tends to need careful nourishment and intense hydration, especially to maintain the wonderful shine and sheen that Asian hair has.
Caucasian Hair
Caucasian hair actually needs far less nourishment than the other two cultural types of hair. It does, however, benefit from the rich, intense nourishment and protection that either of these butters offers.
Personal preference is really the main factor between choosing Shea butter vs Cocoa butter for hair. If you want to boost hair growth, remember that Cocoa butter is full of tocotrienols, which have been linked with promoting hair growth.
Irritated Scalp?
Both of these cosmetic butters offer anti-inflammatory qualities that will soothe itchy, flaky scalps, so when it comes to choosing between Shea butter vs Cocoa butter, you can take your pick.
It is worth reading Unlock Your Hair's Potential with Jojoba Oil to discover how Jojoba can promote hair growth. It also explains how you can use it with Tamanu carrier oil to help relieve dandruff. Why not add Cocoa butter or Shea Butter to help things along too?
However, if you are black and have Seborrheic Dermatitis, this recent research from Tiffany Mayo (2023) might prove interesting for you. It suggests that hair oils help the hair, but not your irritated skin. It might be worth considering if cosmetic butters represent a better choice vs an oil, like Castor oil, for example.
Sunburn
Both products have always been used by their relative indigenous communities to protect the skin from sun damage.
Does Shea Butter Help Sunburn
Yes! Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce itching and soreness. Balancing moisture levels reduces dryness and peeling.
Does Cocoa Butter Help Sunburn?
Yes, like Shea Butter, its anti-inflammatory qualities can help soothe the symptoms of sunburn and repair the skin.
On balance, there is nothing to choose between the two except for whether you have sunburn on your body or your face. In both cases, butters should always be used in conjunction with an SPF.
Which is better for scars: Cocoa butter or Shea butter?
To reduce the chance or appearance of stretch marks, choose Cocoa butter, which is wonderful for promoting better elasticity in the skin. Helping in rejuvenating and strengthening the skin.
Shea butter is the better choice for scars, however.
Research by Olaitan (2014) showed that omega-3 fatty acids inhibit fibroblast growth in vitro. Fibroblasts are cells that help form connective tissue that supports and connects other tissues in the body. They themselves secrete collagen proteins and other extracellular matrix components, which help a wound in the skin to contract and close up. When these go into overdrive, we can end up with more scar tissue than needed or skin conditions like keloids.
Olatain’s study concluded that ‘traditional African keloid remedies, shea butter, and BCO, are effective in inhibiting growth of normal and keloid fibroblasts in culture. Omega-3 fatty acids are the likely mediators of growth inhibition.
While these results were conducted in vitro (in a test tube), anecdotal evidence and hundreds, if not thousands of years of cultural use show a clear correlation between Shea butter, facilitating wound healing and also reducing the appearance of associated scarring.
When To Use Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter
| Cosmetic Butter Proportions For Skin Care Formulations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| This table shows you how much of Shea butter vs Coconut butter I suggest adding to each respective skin care product. Alongside the recommended frequency of use for each product. | |||
| Type of Cosmetic Butter/Frequency of Use | Cleanser | Moisturizer | Night Cream |
| Cocoa Butter | 5% | 5 - 7% | 7 - 10% |
| Frequency | Daily | Daily | 3x Weekly |
| Shea Butter | 7 - 10% | 10 - 15% | 15 - 20% |
| Frequency | Daily | Daily | 3x Weekly |
| Equivalent body care products. (See Below) | Light Lotion | Heavy Lotion | Body Butter |
Therefore, when it comes to Shea butter vs Coconut butter for skincare, you need to consider the following:
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Comedogenic rating
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The proportion of each butter
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Frequency of use
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Both Cocoa butter and Shea butter are such wonderful products for face and lip care products and should be embraced for their active properties, fatty acids, and abundant antioxidants. Encourage skin cell renewal and rejuvenation for smooth, healthy-looking skin and protect it with those all-important fatty acids. Fight the signs of premature skin aging with all those incredible antioxidants, too!
Think About Scent
When it comes to deciding between Shea butter vs Cocoa butter, smell is an important factor. Especially if you are using unrefined versions. Unrefined Shea butter has a distinct aroma that some people find unappealing. It will be deodorised in the refined version, but it still has a fairly distinct aroma.
Cocoa butter smells very much like chocolate, and while some people seek out this appealing quality, others find it a bit too cloying.
The scent of either can be disguised to some extent with essential oils and fragrance oils. If you are producing a product where the aroma is one of the more important characteristics, consider using refined versions of these cosmetic butters.
Texture: Hard vs Soft Butter
When it comes to choosing Shea butter vs Coconut butter when needing a cosmetic butter for your recipes or formulation, it helps to understand their structure. Cosmetic butters are always graded by how hard (solid) they are.
For instance, Cocoa butter feels hard to the touch, much like the consistency of a bar of dark chocolate. Cocoa Butter is one of the hardest cosmetic butters, along with Kokom and Cupuaçu.
However, Shea is softer to the touch. It feels more soapy in your hand and even a little slippery. Kombo butter is another soft butter of a similar consistency. You can also get semi-soft butters like Mango and Tucuma.
So, does its structure matter? Yes, it does. Harder butters are great for making balms, salves, and lipsticks, while a softer butter is better for body butter, body whips, and for making skin-nourishing moisturizers and lotions.
If you asked me to choose between Shea butter vs Cocoa butter for lip balm. I would have to consider the containers being used. For twist-up tubes, I’d plump for the harder butter and choose Cocoa. For tins and pots that are applied with the fingers, I’d choose the softer Shea Butter.
When it comes to the difference between Shea butter and Cocoa butter in formulation, it is simply a choice between a hard and a soft butter. Especially since they have very similar qualities and active constituents.
Making Skin Care Products
When it comes to using Shea butter vs Cocoa butter for skin, we can relax a little and worry a little less about comedogenic ratings.
The only exception to this is those with very oily skin and those who experience acne elsewhere on the body as well as the face. If this is you, take note of those proportions and frequencies above and continue to apply them to your body care products. See the section of the table above highlighted in lilac.
For other skin types, it really does depend on your needs and preferences. Both are wonderful for rejuvenating and protecting the skin because of their positive actions on the skin’s barrier function. They both have skin-soothing abilities and can be a relief for those who suffer from eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and other irritating skin conditions.
They can help make the skin more elastic and stronger, help wounded skin to heal, and reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes.
Structure and Hardness
Consider the structure and hardness of these cosmetic butters when you are making your skin care products. The harder Cocoa butter makes wonderful salves and skin balms. The softer consistency of Shea butter is perfect for Shea Lotion Bars.
Why not make a super easy Shea Butter Lotion to suit your skin type?
DIY Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter Recipes
When it comes to choosing between Shea butter vs Cocoa butter, it is worth making a couple of very similar products and simply seeing which one you prefer and see which one suits your skin the best.
Why not try these super simple Shea butter vs Cocoa butter recipes and make up your own mind?
Lip Balm Recipes
Let me show you two amazing Shea butter vs Cocoa butter lip balm recipes. Both are incredibly nourishing for the lips and offer that vital protective quality to keep your lips smooth, hydrated, and lusciously kissably.
Remember, cocoa butter is harder and will give you a firmer texture that is more suited to a twist-up tube-type lip balm. Shea is softer and more suitable for lip balms in small pots and tins that are applied with your fingers. You can, of course, always mix them together for the best of both worlds!
Go with Castor oil for an ultra-glossy and rejuvenating lip balm. Find out why in How To Make Lip Balm With Castor Oil.
How many this makes depends on the size of your chosen receptacles. This recipe makes 100 ml of lip balm.
You Will Need:
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Measuring spoons
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Stainless steel spoon
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Microwavable measuring jug
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Heatproof mat
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Lip Balm tubes, pots, or tins
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Labels
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Ingredients:
For A Shea Butter Lip Balm
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4 tsp of Beeswax (Cera alba)
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6 tsp of Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)
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10 tsp of Castor Carrier Oil (Ricinus communis)
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60 drops of Palmarosa Essential Oil (Cymbopogon martinii var Motia)
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For A Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
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4 tsp of Beeswax (Cera alba)
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4 tsp of Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)
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12 tsp of Castor Carrier Oil (Ricinus communis)
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60 drops of Palmarosa Essential Oil (Cymbopogon martinii var Motia)
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For A Shea Butter & Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
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4 tsp of Beeswax (Cera alba)
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4 tsp of Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)
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2 tsp of Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)
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10 tsp of Castor Carrier Oil (Ricinus communis)
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60 drops of Palmarosa Essential Oil (Cymbopogon martinii var Motia)
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Optional Ingredients:
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Vitamin E capsules or liquid
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Natural coloring
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Natural preservative; follow your manufacturer's instructions
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Safety:
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Essential oil specific - Do not use in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
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Do not use Shea butter if you have a nut allergy or a type B latex allergy.
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Method:
Normally, I am extremely hesitant to recommend heating cosmetic butters, waxes, or carrier oils in a microwave. This is because a microwave can heat them too fast and unevenly and, therefore, degrade their quality. That said, we will be using such a small amount here that it is barely worth dragging the double boiler out. If you’d rather do that to be on the safe side, by all means, please do.
Heating Things Up
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First, put your beeswax into the heatproof measuring jug.
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Put the jug in the center of the microwave, close the door, and set the timer for 30 seconds.
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Check the wax after each burst and keep working in 30-second bursts until the wax is half molten.
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At the half-molten stage, add your cosmetic butters and again heat in 30-second bursts, checking after each one. Feel free to stir it to help it along.
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Once everything is molten, add the Castor oil and heat for a final burst of 10-30 seconds.
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Cooling Things Down
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Remove the jug from the microwave and set it aside on a heatproof mat to cool slightly.
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Once cooled a little, add your essential oils and any preservative you wish to use.
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This is the time to add any additional ingredients like Vitamin E and natural coloring.
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Stir the mix well for a couple of minutes to make sure all ingredients are evenly dispersed.
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Decanting and Labelling
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Pour carefully into your chosen lip balm containers.
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Now you need to let them cool completely before adding the lids, so cover them with a clean, soft cloth. Don’t allow the cloth to come into contact with the lip balm.
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Don’t add your lids while the mix still holds any warmth as it can encourage moisture, which can encourage the formation of mold and bacteria.
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Clean any spills or drips, especially from the rims.
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Once fully cooled and set solid, add the lids.
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List all ingredients on an oil and waterproof label.
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Add an expiry date of 3-6 months, it will be longer if you use a preservative.
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How To Use:
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Always carry out a 24-48 hour patch test
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Apply the lip balm to your lips evenly and roll your lips together to press the balm into your lips.
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Apply up to 8 times a day to increase moisture and protect your precious lips.
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Whipped Body Butter Recipes
When it comes to Shea butter vs Cocoa butter for Whipped Body Butter, I think you will like weighing up your options and seeing which one your skin prefers best.
All of these options will deeply nourish your skin, boost hydration, and help lock it in place. The fatty acids and antioxidants in the butters and carrier oils will rejuvenate, repair, and restore the skin barrier function. Antioxidants will go to battle with those pesky free radicals and fight the signs of premature skin aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Feel free to slather these on your skin with wild abandon! I’ll give you some essential oil options and a fragrance oil option, too, to give you even more delicious choices.
You Will Need:
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Handheld whisk or stand mixer
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Double boiler
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Protective heat mat
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Heatproof measuring jug
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Digital measuring scales
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Stainless steel spoon
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Silicone spatula
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Jar funnel
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8 oz jar
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Oil and waterproof label
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Optional: Natural preservative of your choice, follow the manufacturers' guidelines.
Ingredients:
For A Whipped Shea Body Butter
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3 Oz of Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)
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2 Oz of Cupuacu Butter (Theobroma grandiflorum)
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2 Oz Coconut MCT carrier oil (Cocos nucifera)
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0.5 Oz Rosehip Carrier oil (Rosa Canina)
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Extra 0.25 Oz (7g) of extra carrier oils in case a softer texture is needed.
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Plus, choose an essential oil or fragrance oil blend from below.
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For A Whipped Cocoa Body Butter
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4 Oz of Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)
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2.5 Oz Extra Virgin Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera)
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1 Oz Rosehip Carrier oil (Rosa Canina)
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Extra 0.25 Oz (7g) of extra carrier oils in case a softer texture is needed.
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For A Whipped Shea & Cocoa Body Butter
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3 Oz of Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)
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2 Oz of Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)
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1 Oz Extra Virgin Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera)
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1 Oz Coconut MCT carrier oil (Cocos nucifera)
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0.5 Oz Rosehip Carrier oil (Rosa Canina)
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Extra 0.25 Oz (7g) of extra carrier oils in case a softer texture is needed.
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Essential Oil and Fragrance Oil Blends
Floral Essential Oil Blend
You will love this floral blend with top, heart, and base note florals for a cascade of gorgeous aromatic flowers. Unashamedly feminine.
This is a floral essential oil blend intended to be diluted in at least 8 oz of Shea butter vs Cocoa butter whipped body butter.
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60 drops of Rose Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium Roseum X Asperum)
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40 drops of Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
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20 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata)
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Safety: Do not use it in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Soothing and Relaxing Essential Oil Blend
Smooth this onto your skin and sink back into a place of peace, calm and relaxation. The soothing essential oils can also help to relieve skin irritations and pesky itches. Lie back and take a minute for yourself with this blend.
This is a soothing and relaxing essential oil blend intended to be diluted in at least 8 oz of Shea butter vs Cocoa butter whipped body butter.
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60 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil (Anthemis nobilis L.)
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40 drops of Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
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20 drops of Patchouli essential oil (Pogostemon cablin)
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Safety: Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Sophisticated and Elegant Fragrance Oil Blend
When you want something elegant and sophisticated, this is the perfect blend. It has some unusual aromatic combinations that keep people guessing and give you just a little extra je nais sais quoi!
This sophisticated and elegant fragrance oil blend is intended to be diluted in at least 8 oz of Shea butter vs Cocoa butter whipped body butter.
Dark and Decadent Fragrance Oil Blend
Delve into this gloriously decadent blend of Amber and Oud, deliciously dark and oozing with sensual mystery. It’s the perfect blend for an intimate night in. Or even just a divine treat for yourself.
This dark and decadent fragrance oil blend is intended to be diluted in at least 8 oz of Shea butter vs Cocoa butter whipped body butter.
Method:
Heating The Ingredients
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The first thing to do for your Shea butter vs Cocoa butter whipped body butter is to organise your workspace, have everything laid out and ready to hand to work quickly.
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Then, carefully measure out the ingredients you will need first.
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Your double boiler needs to pre-warm, so set it over low to medium heat.
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Once the double boiler is warmed through, add the cosmetic butter and allow it to melt slowly. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up to speed things up; always go low and slow. You can degrade your oils and butters by exposing them to high heat.
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As soon as the butter has become molten, add your carrier oil and heat for a few moments to warm it through.
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Then, remove the double boiler from the heat.
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Cooling Down And Mixing Things Up
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Now you want to cool things down, so separate the top of the double boiler away from the hot water in the bottom section. Set the top section aside to cool on a protective heat mat.
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Simply allow things to cool down for a couple of minutes and pour into a bowl. You can place the bowl in the fridge to speed things up a bit.
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The sweet spot you are looking for is for the mix to be slightly set but not so solid that you cannot do anything with it!
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Take your hand whisk or stand mixer and whip the body butter thoroughly.
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Consistency & Additions
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The body butter will thicken more on standing and cooling fully, so take this in account when deciding the final consistency. You can always whip in more fluid carrier oil for a softer consistency.
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This is the spot to add your chosen preservative; follow your manufacturer's instructions.
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Add in your essential oils and give everything a final mix to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
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Decanting and Jar Up
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Using a jar funnel, decant carefully into your jar, and always clean the rim meticulously with a dash of white vinegar to discourage the formation of mold and bacteria.
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Cover your jar with a clean cloth and let the body butter mix cool completely.
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Once completely cooled, add your lid and label.
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On an oil and waterproof label, list all of your ingredients.
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How To Use:
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Store your Whipped Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter Body Butter in a dark, cool place with an ambient temperature.
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Don’t forget to do a 24-48 patch test before first use.
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Do not use this Whipped Shea Body Butter lotion if you are allergic to nuts
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Apply liberally and massage into the skin generously to stimulate blood circulation and skin cell regeneration. Work in long upward strokes towards the heart.
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You don’t need to rinse this product; leave it on the skin to do its work.
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Now you have several incredible versions of Shea butter vs Cocoa butter whipped body butter to choose from. They will all nourish, protect, and hydrate your skin beautifully.
The Final Word
Now, you know that when it comes to choosing Shea butter vs Cocoa butter, there are a few key factors for you to take into consideration. Let's just remind ourselves what they are.
Key Factors On Choosing Between Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter
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They both share similar ingredients in terms of fatty acids, triglycerides, and antioxidants. However, unrefined Shea Butter tends to hold on to its more broad vitamin content of A, E, and F. They will both hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin beautifully.
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People with nut allergies and Type B latex allergies should avoid Shea butter, Cocoa butter makes a wonderful alternative.
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Shea butter has a lower comedogenic rating of 0-2, while Cocoa butter has a rating of 4, meaning it is more likely to clog your pores. Making Shea butter a better choice for making face products.
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Cocoa butter has a harder structure and feels like a bar of dark chocolate in the hand, whereas Shea is softer and has a soapier feel. Their hardness is worth considering when making products like salves, lip balms, and moisturizers.
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Shea butter has a distinctive smell, especially when unrefined, that some people don’t like. Cocoa butter tends to smell of chocolate! You can get refined and deodorized versions of both that have little to no odor at all. Although you do lose some of the nutritive value through refining processes.
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Get proactive against stretch marks with Cocoa butter and use Shea butter to heal wounds and reduce the appearance of scarring.
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Both are vegan-friendly.
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Source your cosmetic butters from the indigenous communities that produce them. It helps to empower the women, raise them out of poverty, and create businesses to support their families and benefit the local community.
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You are armed with all you need to know about choosing between Shea butter vs Cocoa butter for your face, body, and hair care products. Have fun making them!
