Review (5/5): Happy with my purchase. Will buy again.
I was a bit hesitant to buy this item because of the negative reviews, but went ahead with my purchase anyway and am glad I did. The butter came in a plastic, airtight tub (which saved me the trouble of having to transfer it for storage). I used it in the crafting of three different skin care products – as a substitute for cocoa butter in a lip balm recipe; mixed with equal parts shea butter, coconut oil and calendula infused olive oil in a foot cream for cracked heels; and mixed with shea butter, coconut oil and avocado oil in a body butter – all with positive results. I had no trouble melting or whipping it. This butter is white and has little to no odor, which is a big plus when mixing it with other ingredients that might have their own scent/color.
However, for those who’ve never used Kokum butter before, there’s a few things to consider: 1) This is a hard butter (I would personally classify it as “very hard,” with cocoa butter being “hard” and shea “soft”); 2) It has a “dry” and “flaky” appearance –I’ve done the research, and that’s normal and how it’s supposed to be; 3) Because of its hardness, it doesn’t apply well as a stand-alone (unless it’s warmed first and applied immediately) and applies best when blended with other ingredients. These points could be considered “pros” or “cons” depending on what someone is looking for in a butter.
IMO, Kokum butter is best suited: 1) as a substitute for cocoa butter in recipes (similar characteristics but without the distinct cocoa smell and yellowish color) 2) to lend some firmness to a formulation that is too soft or runny when a more solid consistency is desired (cocoa butter or bees wax will do this same thing, but cocoa butter has a strong smell and some people don’t like to use bees wax in their skin care formulations 3) in ANY skin healing product (Kokum butter is believed to help regenerate skin cells and promote skin elasticity) where it will be mixed with other ingredients. Unless you’re looking for a very firm consistency in a formulation, I would use Kokum butter as no more than 25% of the formula.
One last thing worth noting is that this Kokum butter is “raw” (not heated) but REFINED, as it clearly states in the description and on the packaging, which means it has been processed in some way. Personally, I’ve never seen unrefined Kokum butter sold anywhere – I’m not even sure it even exists! – but figured I would mention it since it might be important for some people.
All that said, I’m very happy with my purchase and will definitely buy this product again.