Cocoa Butter (Deodorised) Food Grade

• INCI Name: Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
• CAS Number: 8002-31-1
• Common Names: Cocoa Butter, Cacao Butter, Theobroma Oil
• Grade: Food Grade / Cosmetic Grade
• Processing: Deodorised — steam deodorisation to remove characteristic chocolate aroma
• Appearance: White to pale ivory solid at room temperature
• Odour: Neutral to very faint — characteristic chocolate aroma removed by deodorisation
• Texture: Hard, brittle solid at room temperature; melts completely on skin contact
• Melting Point: 32–38°C (melts just below body temperature)
• Comedogenic Rating: 4 — moderately to highly comedogenic; not recommended for facial formulations targeting acne-prone or oily skin
• SAP Value (NaOH / for cold process soap): 0.137
• SAP Value (KOH / for liquid soap): 0.192
• Iodine Value: 32–42 (low — indicates high oxidative stability)
• Saponification Value: 188–198
• Shelf Life: 2–5 years from manufacture when stored correctly — one of the most stable cosmetic butters available
• Storage: Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Does not require refrigeration. In hot Australian summers store below 30°C to prevent softening
• Solubility: Oil soluble — add to the oil or butter phase in emulsion formulations
• Free Fatty Acids (as oleic acid%): 1.75 max
• Moisture: 0.3% max

FATTY ACID PROFILE

• Stearic Acid (C18:0): 31–37% — primary contributor to bar hardness and skin conditioning
• Palmitic Acid (C16:0): 24–30% — contributes hardness, stability, and creamy lather in soap
• Oleic Acid (C18:1 / Omega 9): 30–37% — contributes conditioning and skin moisturisation
• Linoleic Acid (C18:2 / Omega 6): 2–4%
• Arachidic Acid (C20:0): 1–3%
• Lauric Acid (C12:0): <1%

The high combined stearic and palmitic content (55–65% total) is what gives Cocoa Butter its exceptional hardness, bar-firming properties in soap, and long shelf stability. The balanced oleic content adds the characteristic skin-softening feel.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES

• Cold Process Soap: 5–15% of total oil weight
• Hot Process Soap: 5–15% of total oil weight
• Melt & Pour Soap (as additive): 1–3% melted and stirred in before pouring
• Lip Balms: 10–30% of total formulation
• Lotion Bars and Body Bars: 20–50% of total formulation
• Body Butters (whipped or solid): 10–40% of total formulation
• Body Lotions and Creams: 2–10% melted into the oil phase
• Facial Moisturisers: Not recommended at significant rates for acne-prone or oily skin due to comedogenic rating of 4; use at 1–3% maximum if included in facial formulations
• Massage Candles and Body Candles: 30–60% blended with other oils and waxes
• Healing Balms and Salves: 10–30%
• Hair Masks and Conditioners: 1–5% melted into oil phase

• Exceptionally high combined stearic and palmitic acid content (55–65%) delivers outstanding bar hardness and longevity in cold process soap — one of the most effective hardening butters available
• SAP value of 0.137 (NaOH) makes it straightforward to incorporate into any cold process soap recipe using a standard lye calculator
• Melting point of 32–38°C means it melts precisely on skin contact — no greasy residue, complete absorption
• Naturally rich in tocopherols (Vitamin E) which act as antioxidants, helping to extend the shelf life of finished formulations
• One of the most shelf-stable cosmetic butters available — iodine value of 32–42 indicates very low susceptibility to oxidation; shelf life of 2–5 years
• Neutral odour in the deodorised form — complete scent freedom; no chocolate undertone competing with your fragrance
• Creates a protective, occlusive film on skin that significantly reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) — excellent in lip balms, barrier creams, and protective formulations
• Contributes a characteristic velvety, luxurious skin feel in leave-on products that customers associate with premium quality
• Food grade purity — safe for lip products and any formulation with possible oral exposure
• Available in 1kg and 10kg — suitable for hobby makers through to small business production
• Vegan and plant-derived — sourced from Theobroma cacao seeds

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

• Cold process soap and hot process soap
• Melt & pour soap as a luxury additive
• Lip balms, lip glosses, and lip butters
• Lotion bars and body bars
• Whipped body butters
• Body lotions and creams
• Healing balms and salves
• Massage candles and body candles
• Hair masks and deep conditioning treatments
• Stretch mark creams and scar treatments
• Baby skincare (barrier creams and balms)
• Cuticle balms and nail treatments
• Natural deodorant formulations (as a hardening base)

r external cosmetic use — food grade, suitable for lip products and formulations with possible oral exposure

Not for ingestion in large quantities as a standalone ingredient

Comedogenic rating of 4 — avoid using at significant concentrations in formulations intended for acne-prone, oily, or congestion-prone facial skin; may contribute to blocked pores

Perform a patch test before use in new formulations intended for sensitive skin

Contains cocoa/cacao derivatives — individuals with severe cacao or chocolate allergies should exercise caution; patch test recommended

Avoid contact with eyes in melted form; if contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water

Keep out of reach of children

Store sealed away from direct heat and sunlight — melts above 32°C; in hot Australian conditions (QLD, NT, WA summer) store in a cool location to prevent softening and possible rancidity from heat exposure

Do not repeatedly melt and resolidify — repeated thermal cycling can affect texture and increase oxidation risk

Food Safety Standards and Certifications

• FSSC 22000
• ISO 22000:2018
• HACCP
• GMP
• HALAL
• KOSHER
• UTZ / Rainforest Alliance (Mass balance)
  
  Our supplier also follows the four pillars of sustainability: Improving farmer income, Benefitting the farmers & their community, Protecting the environment and Providing responsible cocoa products with the aim of achieving the final goal of delivering 100% traceable and sustainable cocoa ingredients by 2030.

What is the SAP value of Cocoa Butter for cold process soap making?
The NaOH SAP value is 0.137 and the KOH SAP value is 0.192. Enter these into your lye calculator when formulating cold process or liquid soap recipes. Most online lye calculators including SoapCalc already have Cocoa Butter in their databases — confirm the SAP value matches before finalising your batch.

What percentage of Cocoa Butter should I use in cold process soap?
A typical usage rate is 5–15% of total oil weight. Cocoa Butter is a powerful hardening butter — even at 5% it makes a noticeable contribution to bar firmness. At 15% it produces a very hard, long-lasting bar. Above 15% the bar can become brittle and prone to cracking, and lather may decrease. It pairs excellently with coconut oil for lather, castor oil for bubbles, and olive oil for conditioning. It contributes a creamy, stable lather and a smooth skin feel to the finished bar.

Why is Cocoa Butter comedogenic?
Cocoa Butter has a comedogenic rating of 4 out of 5, meaning it has a moderate to high tendency to block pores in susceptible individuals. This is primarily due to its high content of stearic and palmitic fatty acids which can occlude pores when applied to facial skin. It is an excellent ingredient for body products, lip balms, and bar soap where it rinses off — but for leave-on facial formulations, particularly targeting acne-prone or congestion-prone skin, it is advisable to use it at low rates (1–3% maximum) or substitute a lower comedogenic butter such as mango butter or shea butter.

Will the deodorisation process affect the performance of Cocoa Butter in soap or skincare?
No. The steam deodorisation process removes the volatile aromatic compounds responsible for the chocolate scent without altering the fatty acid profile, SAP value, or functional properties. Deodorised Cocoa Butter performs identically to raw cocoa butter in cold process soap, lip balms, body butters, and all other applications. The only difference is the absence of the chocolate aroma.

Why does Cocoa Butter have such a long shelf life?
Cocoa Butter has a very low iodine value of 32–42, which indicates a low concentration of unsaturated fatty bonds susceptible to oxidation. It is composed predominantly of saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic) which are inherently resistant to rancidity. Combined with its natural tocopherol (Vitamin E) content which acts as an antioxidant, this makes it one of the most shelf-stable cosmetic butters available — properly stored, it can last 2–5 years without going rancid.

How do I melt Cocoa Butter for use in formulations?
Cocoa Butter melts at 32–38°C. Melt it gently using a double boiler or microwave in short 20–30 second bursts on low power, stirring between intervals. Avoid overheating — keep below 60°C to preserve tocopherol content and avoid any texture change. In cold process soap, add melted Cocoa Butter to your oils phase before combining with the lye solution. In lotions and creams, add to the oil phase before emulsification. For lip balms and lotion bars, melt with your other waxes and butters together.

Can I use Cocoa Butter in baby skincare products?
Yes — Cocoa Butter is widely used in baby skincare formulations including barrier creams, nappy balms, and body butters. It is food grade, non-toxic, and its occlusive properties make it effective for protecting delicate baby skin from moisture and irritants. Use at appropriate concentrations and always patch test on a small area of baby's skin before full use.

YOU MAY ALSO NEED

• Shea Butter (Refined & Organic) — the classic pairing with cocoa butter in body butters and conditioning soap recipes
• Organic Mango Butter — lower comedogenic alternative to cocoa butter for facial formulations
• Castor Oil (Hexane Free) — boosts lather and bubbles in cold process soap recipes containing cocoa butter
• Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) — essential for cold process soap making
• Beeswax Pellets (Natural) — pairs with cocoa butter in lip balms and lotion bars for added hardness
• Candelilla Wax (Vegetable) — vegan alternative to beeswax for use alongside cocoa butter in lip balms
• Fragrance Oils — scent your cocoa butter soap and body butter creations
• Essential Oils Collection — natural scenting for cocoa butter formulations
• A Guide to Soapmaking – Digital PDF — includes butter usage rates and cold process guidance for beginners