Vegetable butters are not carrier oils, but the beneficial properties of vegetable butters likeCocoa Butter and Shea Butter make them lipids that are suitable for use in aromatherapy. See the What are Carrier Oils? article for general information about vegetable butters, and click on the below links to learn specific information about Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa BeansBotanical Name: Theobroma cacao
Aroma: Unrefined cocoa butter has a rich, sweet, chocolate-like aroma. The cocoa aroma is less noticeable in refined or deodorized cocoa butter.
Texture: Solid and hard to work with at room temperature. Breaks into pieces. To work with Cocoa Butter, soak the container in hot water. The edges of the cocoa butter will melt so that the butter can be removed from the container. Because cocoa butter is such a hard butter, it should be combined other vegetable oils or butters to make a balm, lotion or cream.
Cocoa Pods Hanging From TreeColor: Tan.
Shelf Life: Up to 5 Years
(Store in airtight container in cool, dry location.)
Notes: Cocoa Butter is not a carrier oil, but its natural, beneficial properties make it a lipid suitable for aromatherapy work.
Cocoa Butter is moisturizing, leaves a protective barrier on the skin, is gentle and can be included in massage blends, lotions, creams and other natural skin care products. Cocoa Butter is well recognized for its ability to keep the skin supple and to help prevent or reduce stretch marks or scars. It is said that cocoa butter is rich in anti-oxidants. Pure cocoa butter has a distinctive chocolate aroma that will compete with the aroma of any essential oils that you blend with it.
Important Note: The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Shea Butter
Botanical Name: Butyrospermun parkii
Aroma: Nutty and Fatty.
Texture: Solid but permeable at room temperature. Leaves an oily/waxy feeling on the skin.
Color: Off-White.
Shelf Life: Up to 2 Years
(Store in airtight container in cool, dry location.)
Notes: Shea Butter is not a carrier oil, but its natural, beneficial properties make it a lipid suitable for aromatherapy work.
Shea Butter is highly moisturizing, has a smooth, creamy texture and can be included in massage blends, lotions, creams and other natural skin care products.
Shea Butter can become gritty if not melted and then cooled properly. It must be heated to at least 175degrees F and then kept heated to that temperature for at least 20 minutes. If possible, let it cool in the refrigerator. Once it has cooled, it does not need to be kept in the refrigerator.
A natural constituent of shea butter is latex (a natural rubber) . If you have an allergy or sensitivity to latex, avoid shea butter or perform a skin patch text prior to use.
Important Note: The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa BeansBotanical Name: Theobroma cacao
Aroma: Unrefined cocoa butter has a rich, sweet, chocolate-like aroma. The cocoa aroma is less noticeable in refined or deodorized cocoa butter.
Texture: Solid and hard to work with at room temperature. Breaks into pieces. To work with Cocoa Butter, soak the container in hot water. The edges of the cocoa butter will melt so that the butter can be removed from the container. Because cocoa butter is such a hard butter, it should be combined other vegetable oils or butters to make a balm, lotion or cream.
Cocoa Pods Hanging From TreeColor: Tan.
Shelf Life: Up to 5 Years
(Store in airtight container in cool, dry location.)
Notes: Cocoa Butter is not a carrier oil, but its natural, beneficial properties make it a lipid suitable for aromatherapy work.
Cocoa Butter is moisturizing, leaves a protective barrier on the skin, is gentle and can be included in massage blends, lotions, creams and other natural skin care products. Cocoa Butter is well recognized for its ability to keep the skin supple and to help prevent or reduce stretch marks or scars. It is said that cocoa butter is rich in anti-oxidants. Pure cocoa butter has a distinctive chocolate aroma that will compete with the aroma of any essential oils that you blend with it.
Important Note: The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Shea Butter
Botanical Name: Butyrospermun parkii
Aroma: Nutty and Fatty.
Texture: Solid but permeable at room temperature. Leaves an oily/waxy feeling on the skin.
Color: Off-White.
Shelf Life: Up to 2 Years
(Store in airtight container in cool, dry location.)
Notes: Shea Butter is not a carrier oil, but its natural, beneficial properties make it a lipid suitable for aromatherapy work.
Shea Butter is highly moisturizing, has a smooth, creamy texture and can be included in massage blends, lotions, creams and other natural skin care products.
Shea Butter can become gritty if not melted and then cooled properly. It must be heated to at least 175degrees F and then kept heated to that temperature for at least 20 minutes. If possible, let it cool in the refrigerator. Once it has cooled, it does not need to be kept in the refrigerator.
A natural constituent of shea butter is latex (a natural rubber) . If you have an allergy or sensitivity to latex, avoid shea butter or perform a skin patch text prior to use.
Important Note: The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.