Cocoa butter is a great moisturizer.
It’s often used as an after sun balm.
It smells amazingly like a chocolate bar.
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But is it effective?
Can cocoa butter fade acne marks?
What Are Those Dark Marks?
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Acne marks, or those dark marks that blemishes leave behind after they have healed, are calledpost-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Some people are more prone to developing hyperpigmentation.
And those marks are more likely to be long-lasting.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
In some people, acne marks fade by themselves after just a few weeks.
In others, though, they may never go away without treatment.
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But in reality, the marks would have faded regardless.
That’s not to say cocoa butter isn’t good for the skin.
It just won’t fade acne marks.
Cocoa Butter Can Clog Pores
There is one problem with putting cocoa butter on your face.
Cocoa butter is considered mild to moderatelycomedogenic.
This means it can clog your pores.
If cocoa butter clogs your pores, it’s actually contributing to breakouts.
More breakouts mean more dark marks.
Try Glycolic Acid Instead
For mild marks or new marks, OTCglycolic acidcan lighten them.
It can take several months, though.
Those marks are stubborn!
So make a run at be patient.
Another benefit of those prescription medications is that they help treat acne as well.
Which brings us to another important point.
Otherwise, you’re trying to clear old marks while new ones are appearing.
It’s a never-ending struggle.
If acne tends to leavelasting markson your skin, you should see a dermatologist right away.
The sooner you start treatment, the easier it will be to get those marks under control.
Remember, acne needs to be brought under control before you have a good chance of treating the marks.
Once your skin is relatively clear, your dermatologist will then focus on evening out your skin tone.
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