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Cocoa Butter vs Shea Butter : A Solution for Your Skin?

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Which is better for the Skin? Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter?

Cocoa butter and Shea butter are some of nature's most powerful emollients.

They nourish and moisturize the skin, helping it retain its elasticity. You have probably seen Cocoa butter and Shea butter in skin care products and wonder if one is better than the other.

In this article you will learn:

  • What is Cocoa butter and Shea butter?
  • Their similarities
  • Unique attributes of each
  • How to use these butters
  • Which one is best for you

What is Cocoa Butter?

cocoa butter vs shea butter

Cocoa butter is a vegetable fat extracted from the Cocoa bean. It has a mild chocolate scent and flavor. It is used in making chocolate and as an emollient in skin care products.

Cocoa butter is one of the most stable fats known, it is loaded with antioxidants and resists rancidity for a long time (2-5 years). It is solid at room temperature and melts at body temperature. 

There are two types of Cocoa butter, refined and unrefined.

  • Refined Cocoa butter has had it’s scent and color removed.
  • Unrefined Cocoa butter will smell distinctly of chocolate and will have a slight yellow color. It will still have all of it’s valuable nutrients intact.

What is Shea Butter?

shea butter vs cocoa butter

Shea butter is a vegetable fat derived from the nut of the African Shea tree. It is an edible oil used traditionally as a cooking oil, moisturizer, waterproofing wax, in hair-dressing and in candle-making.

Shea butter has a natural beige color unless it has been refined [Read: White Shea Butter vs. Yellow Shea Butter]. It has a mild nutty-smoky scent, that some people find a bit off-putting, though it quickly goes away after application.

Shea butter is also solid at room temperature, melting when it is warmed. It will last about 2 years before going rancid.

Shea butter comes in a one of four states:​

  • Raw Shea butter has not been filtered, it is left in its extracted form.
  • Unrefined Shea butter has been filtered to remove nut skins. Nutrients are left intact.
  • Refined Shea butter has gone through some sort of process to change its characteristics and odor. Refining process destroys some nutrients.
  • Ultra-refined Shea butter has been deoderized, bleached,  and filtered. Most of the healing properties are lost.

Similarities Between Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter

  • Solid at room temperature and melt at body temperature.
  • Excellent moisturizers and have healing properties for the skin.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Penetrate the skin deeply and form a protective barrier on the skin.
  • Work well on dry, chapped and irritated skin, relieving eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
  • Contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
  • Stimulate collagen and elastic production, making them great at repairing and reducing fine lines associated with aging.
  • Soften the skin, provide exceptional moisture to the upper layer of the skin, and diminish scars.
cocoa butter vs shea butter - unique attributes

Unique Attributes of Cocoa Butter

  • Contains cocoa mass polyphenols (CMP), which may inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. This polyphenol also helps ease dermatitis and rashes, by inhibiting the production of immunoglobulin that accelerates these conditions - source.
  • High in Vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, it lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin K reduces bruising and under eye circles.
  • Contains plant sterols. B-sitosterol has wound healing and skin repairing properties. Stigmasterol may help prevent skin cancer - source
  • High on the comedogenic scale, meaning it can clog pores  (acne-prone people shouln't use it).
  • Can be used to prevent stretch marks, and scarring. May help eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Cocoa Butter is Best for People Who are Not Prone to Breakouts

Fatty Acid Composition

  • Linoleic acid - 3.2%
  • Oleic Acid - 34.5%
  • Stearic acid - 34.5%

Stearic Acid gives Cocoa butter its hard form. Oleic acid is a rich and heavy fatty acid that nourishes the skin and seals in moisture.

Recommended Cocoa Butter

We like Better Shea Butter's unrefined cocoa butter, available on Amazon. 

shea butter vs cocoa butter for the skin

Unique Attributes of Shea Butter

  • Has a high healing fraction. Healing fraction refers to the percentage of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that stimulate healing. Shea butter can have a healing fraction of 5 – 17 %, compare that to most other seed oils, which have a healing fraction of 1% - source.
  • High in Vitamins A, E and F. Vitamin A and E are strong antioxidants that repair the skin. Vitamin F is a rich source of fatty acids, it softens and rejuvenates the skin.
  • Offers some SPF protection because of its cinnamic acid content. This can vary from 0 – 6 SPF.
  • Triterpenes in Shea butter may have anti-cancer effects - source
  • Contains allantoin which protects the skin from drying out and aging. 
  • Low on the comedogenic scale, meaning it does not clog pores (perfect for people with acne).
  • Excellent for winter skin care and after sun care.
  • Useful for eczema, baby's skin, diaper rash, sensitive skin, rashes, psoriasis and cracked skin.
Shea Butter is Best for People Who Have Acne-Prone Skin

Fatty Acid Composition

  • Linoleic acid - 6.6%
  • Oleic acid - 46.4%
  • Stearic acid - 41.5%

Stearic Acid gives Shea butter its hard form. Oleic acid is a rich and heavy fatty acid that nourishes the skin and seals in moisture.

Recommended Shea Butter

We love and use Better Shea Butter's unrefined shea butter, available on Amazon. 

Attribute

Cocoa Butter

Shea Butter

Plant Origin

Extracted from the 

cocoa bean

Extracted from the nut

of the African

Shea Tree

Scientific Name

Theobroma Cocoa

Vitellaria paradoxa

Comedogenic Rating

4

0-2

Melting Point 

34°C [93°F]

38°C (100°F)

Absorption

Slow to absorb.

Better absorption

than cocoa butter.

Color

Off white to light beige

 Ivory to light beige

Texture

Velvety, brittle

thick, tacky, and sticky

Shelf Life

Up to 5 years. 

1 - 2 years.

Scent

Mild chocolate

Nutty and pungent

Vitamin E Content

1.80 mg/100g

3.4 mg/100g

Chemical Constituents

Oleic Acid,

Stearic Acid,

Palmitic Acid,

Linoleic Acid,

Arachidic Acid,

Palmitoleic Acid,

 Vitamin E, Vitamin K,

alpha-Linolenic Acid,

and Phytosterols

(namely Stigmasterol).

Oleic Acid,

Stearic Acid,

 Palmitic Acid,

Linoleic Acid,

Cinnamic Acid Esters, Allantoin,

and Polyphenols

(Tocopherol/Vitamin E).

Oleic Acid Content

34.5%

46.5%

Stearic Acid Content

34.5%

41.5%

Linoleic Acid Content

3.2%

6.6%

Palmitic Acid Content

24-30%

2-9%

Skin Conditions

Dry skin, eczema,

psoriasis, rashes, and dermatitis 

Dry skin, eczema,

psoriasis, rashes, and dermatitis

Skin Types

Dry or normal. May 

clog pores of 

acne-prone skin

All skin types. Won't

clog pores

Anti-Aging Effects

Promotes collagen

production, helps fade

age spots and fine 

lines.

Promotes collagen

production, helps fade

age spots and fine

lines. 

Skin Protection

Protects skin from 

water loss. Creates

a barrier. Vitamin E

protects from

environmental

damage.

Provides slight sun 

protection (SPF of 6)

due to caffiec acid

Allergies

Soothes skin allergies. 

cocoa mass 

polyphenol helps 

stops production of

immunoglobulin IgE 

Possible reactions for

 those with 

nut allergies.

Skin Benefits

Improves elasticity 

and skin tone. Helps 

fade scars and heal

damaged skin.

Anti-inflammatory

Anti-microbial. 

Helps reduce scars

and fights off

infection.

Tips for Using Cocoa Or Shea Butter

I recommend picking one butter and using it for 2 weeks. This will give you a good idea of how it works on your individual skin.

Some ways to use these butters:

  • drop a chunk into your bath and let it melt in the warm water.
  • use a butter knife to shave pieces off that you can then rub on your skin
  • put a chunk in a bowl of hot water to soften it, then rub on your skin
  • use them to make a whipped body butter
which is better - cocoa butter vs shea butter

Who Wins?

Both of these butters are excellent at nourishing and moisturizing the skin. Neither of them is better than the other, as they both have something to offer:

Cocoa Butter

  • ​Mild sweet, chocolate scent
  • Relieves the pain of skin irritations
  • High in polyphenols that reduce free radical damage
  • Deeply hydrates the skin and provides a barrier from the environment
  • May clog the pores of acne-prone people
  • Can be used on hair, face and body
  • Anti-aging effects
  • Helps heal and protect the skin

Shea Butter

  • ​Mild nutty, smokey scent
  • Calms skin irritations and inflammations
  • Offers a small amount of UV protection
  • Will not clog pores
  • Keeps skin supple and soft
  • Antioxidants repair skin and reduce wrinkles
  • Can be used on the hair, face and body
  • Offers the skin a lot of healing properties (as long as it is unrefined)

What I Recommend

  • If you have normal skin and want something that smells nice, choose Cocoa butter. 
  • If you are prone to breakouts, choose Shea butter. 

Remember to buy butters that are unrefined. Refined butters will still offer moisture, but their antioxidant and healing properties will be gone.

If you are not prone to breakouts - Get Cocoa Butter

If you have breakout-prone skin - Get Shea Butter

What do you think? Have you had success with either of these butters? Please let us know in the comments below!

Yours In Beauty,
Andrea

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I haven’t used either one, but I would like to. I think I may try the Shea butter. Thanks for the review. It cleared up a few things for me.

    Reply

  2. hi Andrea
    I am personally a fan of….both! I really love the scent of cocoa butter though. I could eat it! But if shea butter does not clog pores and has a high healing fraction, then I am starting to lean toward shea butter. However, I think both are very good body butters that keep skin very well hydrated. I did not know that buying raw butters made a difference. I will remember that

    Reply

    • Thanks Emily, I love the smell of cocoa butter too! It smells like chocolate! You are right, they are both excellent body butters and both keep the skin well hydrated.

      Buying raw and unrefined butters definitely makes a difference. All of the chemical processing to create a refined product strips vital nutrients from the butter, leaving a moisturizer with little antioxidants.

      Reply

      • I had a comment on unrefined vs. refined/processed shea butter. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I have used both as moisturizerss before bed. The unrefined shea butter holds in moisture, is much softer, and penetrates the skin leaving my skin with a healthy, moisturized glow when I wake up in the morning. When I bought processed shea butter, if kind of just sat on top of my skin, not really affecting the dryness at all and when I woke up there was just a residual feel of product coating my skin.

        Reply

  3. I have psoriasis and currently use sausage tree cream to keep it at bay. It is pretty good but would you recommend trying shea butter or coconut butter for psoriasis?

    Reply

    • I had not heard of sausage tree cream until today, what an interesting name 🙂 I looked it up on amazon, and it has some questionable ingredients in it. The ingredients list from Amazon is: Aqua, Kigelia africana, petrolatum,cocos nucifera, prunus amygdalus dulcis, cera alba,polysorbate 60, cetearyl alcohol, sorbitan stearate, phenoxy ethanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, disodium EDTA.

      Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) can mimic estrogen in the body and disrupt our hormones. EWG’s Skin Deep Database gives parabens a moderate to high hazard rating.

      The main ingredients in sausage cream are plant based, so that is good, I just don’t like the parabens and petroleum (unsustainable) in it.

      Shea butter can help psoriasis by keeping much needed moisture in the skin and relieving some of the itch, Shea butter that is unrefined and has a high healing fraction would be best.

      Cocoa butter will do the same, keeping moisture in the skin and forming a barrier of protection from the elements. The cocoa mass polyphenol (CMP) in cocoa butter inhibits the production of the immuno globulin (IgE). IgE is known to aggravate symptoms of dermatitis.

      Reply

  4. I love shea butter. I have it in a body butter I use on my pregnant belly right now. What about jojoba butter? I see that alongside shea a lot and wondered about it. How does it compare?

    Reply

    • That would be totally fine! As long as you don’t have a tendency for clogged pores (cocoa butter clogs pores).

      Reply

  7. I use both, but tend to add more Shea butter when making salves because too much cocoa smell is too much for me. I have never tried cooking with either of these butters though. Any suggestions on trying that?

    Reply

    • I have never cooked with either of these, but I am sure many of us have had cocoa butter in chocolate bars. I think you would have to make sure the cocoa and shea butters you were buying were food grade before you tried cooking with them.

      I have looked it up on Google and it looks like Shea butter can be used in baked goods or as a lard or butter substitute. It has a smokey, nutty flavor. There is food-grade Shea butter available on Amazon. Cocoa butter has a chocolaty, sweet flavor and can be used in place of other fats, like butter, and it has a high smoke point so you can use it for frying. Look for Raw cocoa butter. There is lots to choose from on Amazon.

      Reply

  8. Will melting shea butter and coconut better together make either butter lose it’s nutrients? I have seen several recipes for making your own lotion by melting coconut butter with either shea or cocoa butter and was hoping to try it myself. Also, what are your thoughts on using either butter as a night cream?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Melting the two together will not reduce their effectiveness at all 🙂 I haven’t used coconut butter, what is it like? I think that the butters could make an excellent night cream, they are hydrating and repairing – perfect for skin care while you sleep, I would just make sure it is well rubbed in so that it doesn’t get all over your pillow. It would be nice to find a recipe that whipped the butters to form more of a creamy consistency for easy application.

      Reply

  9. I’m using cocoa butter now, along with Proactiv to manage my acne prone/sensitive skin. Although the cocoa butter is fine, should I try the Shea butter instead, just to test it out?

    Reply

    • Cocoa butter has a high comedogenic rating, meaning it will clog pores. If cocoa butter is causing you no breakouts, then keep using it. But if you find you are still getting a lot of congestion, I would try out Shea butter, as it does not clog pores.

      Reply

  10. This is just what I was looking for; to the point and informative. I have a pot of shea butter but have never tried raw cocoa butter so it was great to see the comparison! 🙂
    (for the record, I’m going to by a pot of each and try them out!)

    Reply

  13. I have used Shea butter for years and had no visible or remarkable difference. But it’s amazing for my children. About three weeks ago, I tried pure cocoa butter on my skin and boy am I glowing. The difference is very remarkable and many say I look younger. Cocoa butter is a winner.

    Reply

    • That is interesting that you saw remarkable results from cocoa butter and not from shea butter. We are all so unique 🙂 Happy to hear that you have found something that works!

      Reply

  15. THANQQ sooo much I was quite confused that which one I should buy bcz I have a acne prone skin so ur post was very vety helpful👍👍

    Reply

    • Hi BB, I would use Shea butter, as it has a higher healing fraction than cocoa butter. At night, wash and thoroughly dry your thumb. Apply a heavy layer of shea butter cream or whipped shea butter. Then wear a glove over your hand through the night.

      Reply

  17. I am suffering from from psoriasis. what should I use to heal psoriasis and hydrate to my skin ? Shea butter or cocoa butter?
    Please suggest me

    Reply

    • Hi Noor, I would say that either one is a good choice. I have a friend who deals with psoriasis and she uses shea butter. Maria just wrote an article about psoriasis, you can check it out here.

      Reply

  18. I ve been using shea butter for almost 2 months and I noticed that my skin color is almost even. I actually wanted to know which of the butters was better. It’s good to know the functions of both butters! I do not have an acne prone skin. So, I will mix the butters together and use on my skin. Let me see what the effect looks like. I am sure my skin will look healthy, supple and young. ☺

    Reply

  19. Hello. I have a very dark spot on the side of my face.which one of the creams should i use? Shea butter or coco butter?

    Reply

    • Hi Sandra, either butter can help to fade dark spots. If you are prone to developing breakouts, I would use shea butter, otherwise you can choose whichever you like. The treatment for dealing with dark spots is to make sure you exfoliate 1 – 2 times a week and then apply the butter to your face. You will use the butter everyday, but you shouldn’t exfoliate everyday. On the days you don’t exfoliate, rub the butter on your face after cleansing. You will have to stick to this for at least 3 months to start seeing results. I have heard good things about using black soap to cleanse and shea butter to moisturize.

      I hope that helps! Let me know how it goes 🙂

      Reply

  20. I just want to point out that everyone skin has individual needs. The comedogenic scale is pure BS and it not based on testing on human skin but on animal skin. No one can understand how your skin will react to products except yourself. You need to be cautious about anything you put on your skin because your skin is an organ and it absorbs everything you put on it. Therefore, I would recommend testing products in your skin and absorb how your skin reacts to the product. You do not have to use a product for two weeks to see results; at most you should be able to tell if a product is good for you within 1 to 2 days and at most a week. Your body has the capacity to heal itself and it will tell you if something is wrong. Please just be cautious, not to follow any misleading information or fads since, this matter tends to lead to trouble when you begin to make decisions based on others’ information instead of based on your own needs. I personally would recommend trying product that feels soothing on your skin without leaving your skin very oily. There is an innate feeling when you find the right product for your skin, than it is no longer work to use it, instead you begin to see the benefits in your skin and well-being as you use the product and it nourishes your skin.

    Reply

    • Thanks you for this advice, I am aware that the comedogenic scale is not the greatest indicator or whether something will work for your skin. It would be nice if more studies were done on the comedogenicy of oils on human skin, rather than animal skin.

      Reply

  21. Anaturaldoctor is absolutelyy right.
    I have used both butters but cocoa butter, the supposedly comedogenic one, seems to work better on my acne prone face and dry skin.
    it’s supprisingly light and silky despite being a butter. it’s even lighter than some oils.
    And so many other people have the same experience.

    Reply

    • Hi Neha, thanks for your question. The difference between food grade and cosmetic grade is that the food grade butter is completely edible, whereas the cosmetic butter has not been approved for internal consumption. I assume that to get food grade status, a product would have to go through additional testing to make sure it is safe to eat. Other than that, I am not sure of the differences, or if the differences matter when it comes to using a butter on your skin.

      I hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!

      Reply

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