If you already know that cocoa butter is good for skin, it probably comes as no surprise that it’s also great for hair.
Cocoa butter works well no matter what your hair type, but people with curly hair seem to love cocoa butter a lot. It adds definition to your hair but reduces frizz at the same time.
But, regardless of your hair type, you’ll notice visibly healthier hair. Cocoa butter moisturizes and strengthens hair while also making it shinier.
In this guide, I’ll discuss cocoa butter and its benefits when used in hair. I’ll also share a couple of my recipes for great cocoa butter curls!
What Is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter comes from the cocoa tree. The cocoa tree grows in West Africa, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
The cocoa tree produces large green fruit which contains up to five cocoa beans. The inside of the cocoa bean is what we use to create cocoa butter and cocoa powder. Cocoa butter is the substance that we use for health and beauty. But, cocoa powder is what we use to make chocolate.
Cocoa butter is a type of plant fat that is healthy for the skin and hair. We extract the butter from the bean in a process of roasting, stripping, and pressing.
There are two kinds of cocoa butter: refined and unrefined.
Unrefined cocoa butter is better for your health. This is because it’s more natural and retains all its nutrients.
Refined butter experiences exposure to high heat and chemicals. This leaves it devoid of almost all nutrients.
Is Cocoa Butter Good For Curly Hair?
Many people with curly hair become frustrated. Their hair never seems to cooperate. It’s hard to have a nice hair day two days in a row when you have curly hair.
Still, those who use cocoa butter for their curly hair have found that they can have that luxury. Like skin, cocoa butter does a wonderful job of moisturizing the hair. It hydrates deep within the hair to provide lasting hydration. This provides healthier hair while reducing frizz.
Can You Use Cocoa Butter For Hair Growth?
There’s no proof that you can use cocoa butter for hair growth.
Still, we do know that cocoa butter can make your hair healthier. It increases circulation in the scalp which provides hair follicles with extra nutrients.
It also moisturizes the hair. Both of these properties strengthen the hair. This makes it less likely to break or fall out.
So, cocoa butter will not cause your hair to grow. But, it may provide the right conditions for optimal hair growth.
What Are The Cocoa Butter Curly Hair Benefits?
Fortunately, cocoa butter has properties to benefit curly hair and hair of all types.
Cocoa Butter Is Moisturizing
We know cocoa butter nourishes the skin, and the hair is no different. It is a thick substance that easily penetrates the hair. It can sink deep within the hair so that the entire strand becomes hydrated from the inside out. Despite its thickness, cocoa butter will not weigh down hair.
Cocoa Butter Is Soothing
The moisturizing properties of cocoa butter don’t only hydrate the hair. They also soothe your itchy and dry scalp. So, if you deal with itchy, dry, or dandruff-prone skin, cocoa butter may be a good option.
Cocoa Butter Promotes Health & Heals Damage
Cocoa butter promotes the health of your scalp and your hair. There are antioxidants and fatty acids in cocoa butter. They will keep your hair and scalp healthy and strong. If either sustains damage, the cocoa butter will work to repair the damaged cells. It will also work to produce new, healthy cells to take the place of the damaged ones.
Exactly How To Use Cocoa Butter For Curly Hair
No matter what your usual hair care routine is, you can easily fit cocoa butter into your schedule. Cocoa butter is easy to use, so there is an option for everyone.
Use Cocoa Butter As-is
The easiest way to use cocoa butter is to use 100% pure unrefined cocoa butter. Unrefined cocoa butter retains all its nutrients, unlike its refined cocoa butter counterpart.
Use Cocoa Butter As An Occasional Deep Treatment
Do you have wild, uncontrollable hair? A cocoa butter deep treatment should be effective. Simply massage a small amount of cocoa butter into your scalp and down the lengths of your hair. Do this once or twice a week.
With regular use, your hair will lose its frizz, becoming easier to manage. Cocoa butter will also make your hair softer, and it won’t weigh down your hair.
Use Cocoa Butter Before Shampooing
Applying cocoa butter to your hair before washing can protect your hair. Shampoo, although necessary, often strips your hair of oils and makes it less healthy. Use cocoa butter before you shampoo. This protects your hair and prevents it from losing all its moisture.
Before washing your hair, melt a small amount of cocoa butter in the microwave. Then, massage the cocoa butter into your scalp and hair. Allow the cocoa butter to work its magic for about 15-20 minutes. Then, you can shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
Use Cocoa Butter To Get Rid Of Frizz
If you’re struggling with frizzy hair, you’ll simply need to apply some cocoa butter. Rub a small amount of cocoa butter into your palms, and massage it into the frizzy parts of your hair.
Buy A Cocoa Butter Product
Another option is to buy a hair product that already contains cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is one of the best moisturizing products on the market. It’s really easy to find shampoos, conditioners, and even hair masks that contain cocoa butter.
Buying a pre-made product is a good option. It’s quick, easy, and usually cheaper than buying pure cocoa butter. It also contains nutrients from other ingredients that cocoa butter may not have.
The downside to using a cocoa butter product is that you need to watch the ingredients. Some ingredients included in manufactured products are bad for the health. Also, most products consist of refined cocoa butter.
Make A Cocoa Butter Recipe
My favorite way to use cocoa butter is to create my own concoction. Doing so allows you to choose whichever ingredients you like.
I’ve included some of my favorite cocoa butter recipes below.
[mv_create key=”104″ type=”recipe” title=”Cocoa Butter For Curl-Defining Hair” thumbnail=”null”]
To start use, put some of the mixture in your palms and massage it into your curls. Avoid placing the mixture directly on the scalp or it may cause oiliness.
[mv_create key=”105″ type=”recipe” title=”Cocoa Butter For Dry & Frizzy Hair” thumbnail=”null”]
To use, using your palms, apply the mixture to dry or frizzy hair as needed.
Conclusion
Your hair doesn’t have to be curly to use cocoa butter. Everyone can receive its benefits. Still, those with curly hair love how cocoa butter makes their hair look.
Cocoa butter fluffs up your curls to give you big, beautiful locks. But, it also moisturizes your hair and reduces frizz so that your hair doesn’t look wild. In short, cocoa butter will provide you with the best of both worlds.
Discover more wonderful ways to use cocoa butter for nails, scalp, face and some skin issues such as diaper rash, sunburn and stretch marks. Find all our cocoa butter guides here.
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