Cocoa butter is a type of vegetable fat that comes from cocoa beans. Manufacturers extract creamy cocoa butter from the beans by fermenting, drying, roasting, and then pressing them. They turn the remaining portion into cocoa powder. It has several healthful properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Many of these properties are due to substances that cocoa powder contains, such as catechin. Cocoa butter may also have healthful benefits. Cocoa contains several antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and the fats may help form a protective layer on the skin, preventing moisture from escaping, and therefore stopping the skin from drying out.
