IHL · Butters
Cocoa Butter
- INCI name
- Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
- CAS number
- 8002-31-1
- EC number
- 232-316-2
- Physical form
- Wafers
- Country of origin
- Côte d'Ivoire · Ghana · Ecuador (Netherlands processing)
- HS code
- 1804.00.00
- Grade
- Cosmetic / Food-grade available
- Shelf life
- 24–36 months — highly stable
The hardest of the common butters and the sharpest melt. Cocoa butter is what gives a bar its snap and a balm its structure, and it does it at 34–38 °C — right at skin temperature.
| Appearance | Hard, brittle pale-yellow to ivory wafers |
|---|---|
| Odour | Natural grade: distinct chocolate. Deodorized: near-odorless. |
| Solubility | Oil-soluble; insoluble in water |
| Melting point | 34–38 °C (93–100 °F) — sharp melt, six polymorphic crystal forms |
| pH | n/a |
| HLB | Required HLB 6 |
| SAP (NaOH) | 0.138 |
| SAP (KOH) | 0.194 |
| Iodine value | 32–40 |
| Fatty acid profile | Stearic 31–35% · Oleic 34–36% · Palmitic 25–30% · Linoleic ~3% · Arachidic ~1% |
| Storage | Cool, dark, ≤25 °C. Ships with a warm-weather transit warning. |
| Manufacturing process | Expeller and hydraulic pressing of roasted cocoa beans. Deodorized grade additionally steam-deodorized. |
Certifications
- Gluten-free
- Heavy-metal tested
- Non-GMO
- Palm-free
- Vegan
In full: Vegan · Palm-free · Gluten-free · Non-GMO · Heavy-metal tested every lot
| Application | Use rate |
|---|---|
| Lotion | 1–5% |
| Cream | 3–10% |
| Body butter | 5–25% |
| Lip balm | 10–30% |
| Soap | 5–15% |
| Shampoo / conditioner bar | 5–20% |
Formulation notes
- Cocoa butter is polymorphic. Cool it too slowly and you get bloom — a white surface film that is cosmetically alarming and functionally harmless. Chill fast.
- Melt point sits at skin temperature. That is the whole appeal in a balm and the whole problem in a July shipment. We flag warm-weather transit at checkout.
- Substituting deodorized for natural changes nothing structurally. It only removes the aroma. Do not pay the natural premium unless you want the chocolate note.
Applications
- Lip balm
- Body butter
- Lotion bars
- Cold process soap
- Conditioner bars
- Massage bars
Not classified as hazardous
Not classified as hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HazCom 2012, as amended 2024). Determination to be confirmed against the incoming lot's manufacturer SDS before publication.
- Transport classification
- Not regulated for transport — DOT, IATA, IMDG.
- Allergen statement
- Not an FDA major food allergen. Deodorized grade recommended where the chocolate aroma would conflict with your fragrance.
California Proposition 65
Lead and cadmium are Prop 65-listed and cocoa carries an extensive Prop 65 litigation history. Cocoa butter — the fat fraction — carries far less cadmium than cocoa solids, but we test heavy metals on every lot and publish the results on the COA. Required reading if you ship into California or Washington.
- SDS Safety Data Sheet On request
- TDS Technical Data Sheet On request
- COA Certificate of Analysis On request
- Allergen Allergen statement On request
- GMO GMO statement On request
- BSE/TSE BSE/TSE statement On request
- Vegan Vegan statement On request
- RSPO RSPO certificate On request
We send documents on request. No account, no vendor-qualification fee. Ask for Cocoa Butter documents.