When it comes to solutions for stretch marks, natural plant oils are often the first thing that comes to mind. Rich in fatty acids, they are indeed among the best anti-stretch mark alternatives. But what about plant butters? Let’s take a closer look at cocoa butter — with its enchanting scent, its comforting texture… and its remarkable effects on stretch marks.
What is cocoa butter?
Cocoa butter is a vegetable fat obtained by pressing cocoa beans. These beans, the seeds of the cacao tree, are extracted from pods called cabossas. They are also the very ingredient used to make chocolate : they are harvested, fermented and dried. They are then degermed and roasted. It is during the roasting process (heating to 140o-160o for 20-30 minutes), followed by pressing, that cocoa powder and cocoa butter are obtained. It is worth noting that the beans are made up of 50% fat.
Once extracted and filtered, cocoa butter is then put to use: in chocolate making, but also in the formulation of many parapharmaceutical and cosmetic products. It is commonly found in sun care products, lip balms and certain treatment ointments (skin rashes, dermatitis, burns).
What are the benefits of cocoa butter?
The composition of cocoa butter is quite unique. It is rich in four fatty acids with different melting points, giving it a variable yet supple texture — slightly greasy to the touch but with good absorption. It actually becomes liquid above 30oC. More interestingly, the various fatty acids in cocoa butter give it a wide range of benefits:
- Stearic acid, present in high concentrations in cocoa butter (around 35%), has protective (film-forming effect) and emollient properties. It brings softness and nourishment to the skin, and helps prevent the early appearance of signs of ageing.
- Oleic acid (around 35%), found in many natural plant oils (avocado, hazelnut, argan, olive), is renowned for its nourishing, repairing and healing properties. This is due to its chemical structure, which closely resembles that of the hydrolipidic film.
- Palmitic acid, well represented in cocoa butter (around 25%), is one of the main components of sebum. It therefore acts as a protector and lubricant for the skin. It also plays an antimicrobial role.
- Finally, linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, is highly beneficial for skin health. It is involved in the formation of cell membranes (ceramides), making it essential for maintaining the lipid barrier and the cohesion of the skin. It helps prevent dryness and contributes to the resilience of the epidermis.
But cocoa butter has more to offer. It also contains a number of unsaponifiables that are particularly beneficial for the skin:
- Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that neutralises the damaging effects of free radicals and inflammation. It also noticeably improves microcirculation.
- The phytosterols in cocoa butter have nourishing, anti-inflammatory, healing and restructuring properties.
- Squalene, naturally present in the skin, is a powerful regenerating agent. It helps to regenerate and strengthen the lipid barrier of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the epidermis).
Can cocoa butter be considered a treatment for stretch marks?
Thanks to its rich composition and the many benefits that come with it, cocoa butter makes an excellent treatment for stretch marks. Daily application to at-risk areas (chest, stomach, thighs, hips, buttocks) helps prevent stretch marks from forming, while also supporting the rapid healing and fading of existing ones.
- Stearic, palmitic and linoleic acids, through their emollient and protective properties, help maintain the skin’s intrinsic qualities (suppleness, elasticity and resilience), for effective stretch mark prevention.
- Oleic acid, along with the unsaponifiables in cocoa butter, enables deep skin repair. By boosting microcirculation, soothing inflammation and promoting skin regeneration, these ingredients support rapid stretch mark healing and solid restructuring of the dermis.
It is worth noting that it can be used throughout pregnancy, with no risk to the baby.
With that in mind, you may be wondering how to use cocoa butter on your stretch marks. Here are a few suggestions.
1- Used on its own
Cocoa butter has a pleasantly creamy texture (especially when warmed between the hands first) and a delightful scent. It can therefore be used on its own, applied directly to the affected area. Simply take a small amount, apply it to the stretch mark-prone zone, and massage it in using small circular movements. It will leave the skin soft and supple without feeling greasy.
2- Combined with other oils
If you want to make the most of nature’s many benefits, it is perfectly possible to combine the virtues of cocoa butter with those of other ingredients. Plant oils are an obvious choice, as several are particularly effective against stretch marks. Choose one or more oils with complementary fatty acid profiles to maximise the effectiveness of your homemade treatment. For example, you can make an anti-stretch mark balm by melting a little cocoa butter in a bain-marie, adding a splash of coconut and jojoba oil, then placing the mixture in the fridge to set.
3- With essential oils
Certain essential oils are highly effective against stretch marks, both for prevention and reduction. To be used safely, they need a carrier — and cocoa butter is a great one. Simply melt your cocoa butter in a bain-marie, add a few drops of rosemary verbenone essential oil (healing), rosewood (regenerating), Italian helichrysum (firming and regenerating) or rose geranium (anti-inflammatory), and use the blend as a daily anti-stretch mark treatment. That said, if you are pregnant, please note that essential oils are not recommended.
4- With our Stretch Mark Cream
If you prefer to buy your anti-stretch mark products rather than make them, you’ll be pleased to know that our Repairing Stretch Mark Cream is formulated with cocoa butter! It combines macadamia oil, known for its regenerating properties, with cocoa butter and provitamin B5, which helps activate the dermis repair process. Applied twice daily, it visibly and lastingly reduces both new stretch marks (red, purple) and mature ones (white). Our cream is also suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding — safe for everyone. And users are almost unanimous: 98% would recommend it.
