Cocoa butter and shea butter are two common ingredients used for a variety of purposes in beauty and health care. Both are used frequently in homemade and commercially prepared hair and skin care products. However, it can be difficult to know which one to choose.
Shea Butter
According to authors Janetta Bensouilah and Philippa Buck in their book, "Aromadermatology: Aromatherapy in the Treatment and Care of Common Skin Conditions," shea butter is produced from the kernels of a sub-Saharan African tree. The butter is rich in a variety of fatty acids, including linoleic, palmitic and steric acids. It is used frequently in cosmetic applications and is thought to have benefits for dry hair and skin conditions such as eczema, blemishes and dermatitis, according to the American Shea Butter Institute. Shea butter is solid at room temperature, but it easily melts when rubbed between your hands.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is produced from the cacao tree, which is native to South America, according to the Meridian Institute. Cocoa butter is extracted from the ground beans of this tree. Like shea butter, cocoa butter is also thought to have skin protective abilities. According to authors Bensouilah and Buck, cocoa butter also contains fatty acids, including oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids. Cocoa butter is also natural oil that is solid at room temperature, yet melts when rubbed between your palms.
Considerations - Shea Butter
According to the Shea Institute, shea butter contains vitamins A and E. It is generally more expensive than cocoa butter and has a shorter shelf life, around 12 to 24 months when refrigerated. If you chose shea butter, you should plan to spend more than you would on other moisturizing products. Most of the products on the market today do not contain 100 percent shea butter, but inferior quality shea butter or a shea butter product, which do not provide the same moisturizing and beauty benefits.
Considerations - Cocoa Butter
According to authors Bensouilah and Buck, cocoa butter provides excellent moisturization and hydration, softens and protects your skin and acts as an emollient.
Conclusion
Choosing a moisturizing butter is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer cocoa butter for its aroma and texture, while others choose shea butter because it doesn't have any aroma. It basically amounts to a matter of how much you are willing to spend and your own preferences in terms of texture and smell. Both shea butter and cocoa butter are excellent moisturizers. Experiment with both to decide which one is right for you.
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