One of the most common concerns that new parents face with their babies is taking care of their sensitive skin, and with the daily changes that newborns experience, it is tough to know exactly what baby body butters to use and when they are safe. Newborn skin can be a conundrum of mysterious rashes and unpredictable dry spots, so it’s important to know what is safe to apply on your baby. There are many different moisturizing options out there and cocoa butter is quickly becoming an industry favorite. From butters to chap sticks, cocoa butter is making its way into a wide variety of skincare products. But is cocoa butter safe for babies’ skin?

What is cocoa butter?

Cocoa butter is a fat that is extracted from the cocoa bean. Like coconut oil, it is a healthy fat that is edible and can also be used topically. It’s used in foods such as chocolate and used in skin care products.

Because it’s high in fatty aids, has a creamy texture and is easily absorbed (it melts at body temperature), cocoa butter can be good to use for baby’s dry skin.

Cocoa butter can have a very thick consistency and it is often used as a thickener for other cosmetic products. If your baby has oily skin, cocoa butter may not be a great option for them, as it will be too heavy and oily for their skin type. In this case, you can choose a lighter option such as a lotion or cream.

Benefits

In addition to providing deep moisture, cocoa butter has many benefits for skin and body.

Cocoa butter is a natural ingredient and can therefore be a good option for those with sensitive skin who want to avoid any additives.

Cocoa butter has healing properties not only for skin but for hair! You can use it as a deep conditioner or hair mask and it’s great to help tame flyaways.

Cocoa butter is rich in antioxidants which help fight free-radicals that can cause aging. It helps protect your skin and keeps it healthy. 

Ingredients to avoid

We always recommend using organic products and cocoa butter is no exception. If you’re unsure if the cocoa butter in your product is organic, check the product label to confirm. 

Be aware that even though something is labeled as natural, companies can sneak toxic ingredients into their products. Erbaviva’s organic baby butter cream is usda certified and is scented with organic essential oils of chamomile and lavender.

Here is a list of ingredients to look out for and avoid: 

Parabens, which can include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, butlyparaben and benzylparaben are toxic for the body and should be avoided. 

Propylene glycol is another ingredient that will show up in moisturizing products and to give you an idea of its toxicity level, it is also included in anti-freeze, hydraulic fluid and brake fluid. According to the MSDS, this chemical causes irritation and should not come in contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. 

Synthetic fragrances are chemicals that are easily absorbed into the skin and may build up in the fat cells of the body and become harmful to health. There are literally thousands of different chemicals that qualify as fragrances and are toxic to the body. If you see the word fragrance anywhere in your product, know that this product is not safe for your baby.

If you are considering using cocoa butter on your baby, here are a couple of things to think about first. We always recommend trying the baby body butter on a small area of the skin first, to make sure your child doesn’t have a reaction to it. Babies should have a limited exposure to products before six months but if you are experiencing skin issues, it’s always best to check with your primary care provider about the products you intend to use on young children. 

If you and/or your babe have dry or sensitive skin, using all-natural cocoa butter skincare can be an organic solution for the family.