FEATURED ARTICLE: Shea Butter vs. Cocoa Butter

What’s the difference between shea butter and cocoa butter? Some people use the terms interchangeably. Although these two natural ingredients have many of the same uses, there are also many differences.

Shea butter comes from the nut of the shea tree in Africa. It is a wonderful moisturizer and leaves the skin feeling smooth and youthful. It has a non-greasy application, and it is used as the base of many expensive skin care products. Shea butter revitalizes the skin as well as the hair. Shea butter is a great natural hair conditioner that protects follicles from splitting and drying. It has also been used successfully to treat acne and eczema and to reduce wrinkles and scars. As a bonus, shea butter blocks harmful UV rays from damaging the skin.

Cocoa butter, on the other hand, comes from the cacao bean. It’s used in making chocolate, pharmaceuticals, and many personal care products. Cocoa butter contains many antioxidants and has a long shelf life of up to five years (depending on other ingredients in the final product). Cocoa butter is often added to cosmetics, skincare products, and soaps to increase shelf life. It is also wonderful for chapped lips. Cocoa butter also smells heavenly and makes a wonderful massage oil. It moisturizes the skin and is often used my expectant mothers to prevent stretch marks.

shea butter and cocoa butter.