What can soothe dry skin, fade scars, and ward off stretch marks? The best cocoa butter lotion can, of course.
Cocoa butter is one of the most versatile, nutrient-rich, and potent moisturizers for the skin. That’s good news, but how can you know which cocoa butter lotion is the best?
We hope the reviews below will answer the question for you. For now, here’s a little background on why cocoa butter is good for the skin.
The benefits of cocoa butter lotion
Cocoa butter is one of the main ingredients in chocolate. It smells delicious.
It’s also known as theobroma oil, the fat that’s pressed from dry roasted cocoa beans (1).
This natural butter is full of fatty acids and vitamin E that repair and hydrate the skin. They seal in moisture to prevent dehydration. Plus, they improve the skin’s elasticity, helping it prevent forming scars and stretch marks.
The phytochemicals in cocoa butter have antiaging benefits because they protect against damage caused by UV rays.
It’s not surprising that cocoa butter is in all sorts of skincare products, from lip balm to lotion.
What to look for when shopping for cocoa butter lotion
Whether you’re looking for the best cocoa butter lotion for pregnancy or simply for dry hands, the formula will always include more than a single ingredient.
Check to see if the other components meet your needs. For example, you may prefer a fragrance-free or subtly-scented product. Cocoa butter has a noticeable chocolate-like aroma. Some lotions take advantage of that, while others stifle it.
Then, many lotions contain petrolatum or mineral oil. These are hard-working emollients, but they are synthetic, and their purity may vary from brand to brand.
Also, be on the lookout for undesirable preservatives like parabens. If several products in your routine all contain parabens, it may create a significant risk over time.
Finally, consider the consistency. While a lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion may be best for daily use, body butter or cream will take care of cracked heels faster.
Best Cocoa Butter Lotion in 2024
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Skin Therapy Body Lotion
Palmer’s has been making cocoa butter products since the 1800s. Their classic formula has changed a bit through the years, but it still smells like chocolate and smooths the skin like nobody’s business.
What’s more, the moisturizing effects last up to twenty-four hours. Don’t be fooled, although the first ingredient is water, which immediately hydrates dry skin. Contrary to popular belief, oils and fats alone are not enough to moisturize the skin – it takes water to quench its thirst first. Then, cocoa butter and other ingredients can lock in the moisture.
Warning: this is one of the lotions with petrolatum and mineral oil (AKA paraffin). It also has artificial colors. But these problems are common among body lotions produced below a certain price point.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
Can cocoa butter prevent stretch marks? Maybe. It helps the skin stay supple.
But in reality, whether or not a person get stretch marks depends on their genetic makeup more than on whether they use the right moisturizer.
Yet no one can deny that massages feel good, and this bottle is an excellent excuse to enjoy one.
In fact, we prefer this lotion to the classic formula because it’s very effective without feeling greasy. It contains shea butter, plant oils, collagen, and elastin for extra potency. And if you’re familiar with K-beauty products, you’ll recognize Centella asiatica, a powerful healing herb.
On the downside, it also has petrolatum and an artificial fragrance.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Men Moisturizer
What’s the difference between the men’s formula and the others? For one, instead of smelling like cocoa, it smells a bit like men’s cologne.
Although it’s recommended for the face and body, we don’t suggest it for acne-prone complexions. That’s because it has coconut oil, petrolatum, and mineral oil, and these may clog pores.
Reviews seem generally positive. Guys say it has a pleasant scent that’s not overbearing. It’s also non-greasy and won’t stain clothing.
NOW Solutions, Cocoa Butter Lotion
Now, let’s switch gears and go for a more natural cocoa butter lotion. This formula features 6% cocoa butter, a high concentration. It’s the third ingredient on the list, right after water and aloe.
If you continue reading the label, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. After all, it’s made by a family-owned company that prides itself on pure products manufactured in safe conditions. They carry all sorts of certifications, including GMP-Quality Assured.
In fact, if you stop right here and order it, we’re certain you’ll be pleased with this cocoa butter lotion. No, we’re not shills for the brand—we’re fans.
As for the lotion, it starts out thick but spreads easily. It has an appealing fragrance from natural French vanilla and botanical ingredients, but the scent fades quickly.
Other highlights include unusual ingredients like Abyssinian seed oil and Rhodiola rosea root extract. These are also outstanding for repairing and conditioning the skin.
Jason Cocoa Butter Hand & Body Lotion
Here’s another wholesome cocoa butter lotion that’s free of parabens, phthalates, and petrolatum. It’s also cruelty-free.
Alongside the main ingredient, it features sunflower seed oil to soften the skin and chamomile to soothe it.
The manufacturer has been focusing on safe and healthy skincare products since 1959.
Burts Bees Butter Body Lotion for Dry Skin with Cocoa & Cupuau
This formula is 98.9% natural and dermatologist-tested. Clinical tests found that it moisturizes the skin for twenty-four hours.
Even the fragrance comes from natural ingredients. But here’s the rub: some reviewers say the scent is too strong for them. They’ve also complained that it takes a while to absorb.
On the other hand, it’s always nice to find so many rich moisturizers without petrolatum, parabens, or phthalates in the bottle.
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand & Body Lotion, Replenishing Cocoa Butter
Since we’re on a roll with skin-safe lotions, let’s keep going. This one is 100% vegetarian and has no synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or parabens.
Reviewers say it has a lovely scent and absorbs rapidly. It doesn’t make the skin slippery, greasy, or sticky. The only downside is that the tube seems to empty too quickly!
Besides cocoa and shea butter, it has macadamia, jojoba, flax, and sunflower oils. Some of the components are organic, like sunflower, aloe, pineapple, and ginger.
We saw it described it as luxurious, and we agree. It’s nice to know that something can counteract all this hand washing we’ve been doing.
All Good Hand & Body Lotion
Who says that cocoa butter lotion has to smell like cocoa? Here you can choose from lavender, lemongrass, and coconut. Each one is free of harsh chemicals and packed with herbs and beneficial oils.
Also, each formula is free of GMOs and gluten. They are vegan and biodegradable. Even the preservative is natural. It’s radish root ferment, certified as safe by the NSF.
Body Merry Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream
Here’s one of the two unscented cocoa butter lotions we reviewed. With daily use, it fades scars, stretch marks, and keloids. Plus, it comes with a ninety-day guarantee that you’ll love it.
Because of the organic cocoa butter, shea butter, seaweed, and plant stem cells, it’s overflowing with vitamins and moisturizers.
Moreover, even though it’s creamy, it’s not greasy. Just a little bit goes a long way.
Tree To Tub Lotion for Sensitive Skin
Here’s the second unscented lotion. It was formulated especially for susceptible skin as it’s free of potential allergens like artificial fragrances, parabens, silicone, gluten, dyes, and DEA/MEA.
Instead, it’s enriched with oatmeal, aloe, and chamomile. These are very soothing.
Furthermore, it’s pH-balanced to prevent irritation and dehydration. No lotion should have to work against itself to get the job done.
Lastly, the ingredients are Fair Trade and sustainably harvested. It’s also a cruelty-free, vegan product backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
Cantu Softening Body Butter
Cantu understands Black skin and hair. They designed this body butter with cocoa and shea butter to banish ashy skin forever.
It has no mineral oil, petrolatum, or parabens because it doesn’t need them to keep the skin soft and comfortable. It softens rough skin without making it greasy.
Although it has a fragrance and artificial colors, we didn’t find any complaints about skin sensitivity.
Queen Helene Natural Cocoa Crème
Doesn’t “cocoa cream” sound luscious? This brand sells it by the jar or in pump-top bottles. It’s ideal for everything from use as a nighttime face moisturizer or fixing those rough hands and feet.
Now, here’s where it gets tricky. It contains lanolin, but it’s an excellent emollient as long as your skin isn’t sensitive to it. Then, there’s mineral oil as the first ingredient. Again, that’s not problematic unless it’s not pure.
All we can say is that this classic body butter continues to rake in the positive reviews. It’s not greasy and has only a mild scent.
Gold Bond Ultimate Radiance Renewal
What could be better than a lotion that permanently rejuvenates the skin? This isn’t just a quick fix, but a long-term investment and healthier skin.
We saw lots of users raving about how it has cured their eczema, psoriasis, and chapped skin. It has a rich consistency that absorbs well without leaving a residue. Instead, the skin feels comfortable, smooth, and soft. It takes the itching away.
The moisturizing effects last for up to twenty-four hours, but be sure to apply more if you wash in the meantime.
The active ingredients include vitamins plus cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, and almond oil.
Lubriderm Daily Moisture Body Lotion with Shea + Enriching Cocoa Butter
Lubriderm has enhanced their regular body lotion with extra nourishment. Just like the original formula, this one isn’t oily, and it works for a full day after you apply it.
Keep in mind, this is a product developed and recommended by dermatologists. It has a light cocoa butter scent and a lightweight texture, too.
However, the cons include an artificial fragrance, mineral oil, petrolatum, and DMDM hydantoin (a potential formaldehyde releaser).
Suave Smoothing Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter & Shea
If you’ve been reading the reviews from the top, you’ve seen that we passed the apex of the best cocoa butter lotions with the most natural formulas. Now, we’re continuing with drugstore cocoa butter lotions with less-than-desirable ingredients.
For example, there are plenty of people who seem pleased with this lotion. They say it has a soft aroma, and it sinks in fast.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t tear our eyes away from the label. Happily, cocoa butter and shea butter are the sixth and seventh ingredients, which isn’t bad. But before them, there’s mineral oil. And afterward, you’ll see petrolatum, a fragrance, methylparaben, DMD hydantoin, and dyes.
If you’re picky about what goes on your body, think twice.
NIVEA Cocoa Butter In-Shower Body Lotion
We were shocked that Nivea’s in-the-shower lotion had so few ingredients. We double-checked on their site to be sure. Then it occurred to us that we didn’t even see cocoa butter listed. Nevertheless, there is something called “hydrogenated coco-glycerides”.
After that experience, we weren’t certain we should include it in the reviews. Yet, it’s very popular.
All you have to do is slather it on wet skin, rinse, and towel dry. Afterward, you don’t need to rub on another moisturizer.
Organic Cocoa Butter, USDA-Certified
Have you ever had access to raw cocoa butter? Here’s a pound of pure goodness harvested in the Dominican Republic. It’s USDA-certified organic.
Yes, it’s going to smell just as good as you imagine. You can use it to make your own creams, lip balm, soap, and more.
If you don’t want to blend it with any other ingredients, it will melt right into your skin. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Cocoa butter is an amazing natural moisturizer that can benefit everyone of every age. We’ve appreciated all that it does for us.
Writing this article reminded us how important healthy skin is for our comfort and welfare. We hope we contributed to your well-being by helping you find your new favorite lotion today.
Check back soon for new reviews of the best skincare products from around the world.
Source:
1. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cocoa-butter#1 accessed March 19, 2021