Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: June 24, 2025
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All information on this page is verified using publicly available nomenclature standards and reference materials from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and the European Commission's CosIng database. Our analyses are based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter?

Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter is a plant based fat obtained from the seeds of Carpotroche brasiliensis, a tree that grows in the tropical forests of South America. The butter is naturally rich in skin loving fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic and stearic acids, along with minor tocopherols that lend antioxidant support. Communities native to the region have long pressed the seeds to soothe dry skin and add shine to hair, a tradition that sparked interest from the modern cosmetic world.

To create the ingredient for skincare, ripe seeds are collected, cleaned and dried before undergoing mechanical pressing or gentle solvent extraction to release their oil. The crude oil is then filtered and lightly refined to remove odors and impurities, giving a pale creamy butter with a soft, spreadable texture that melts on contact with skin.

Formulators value Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter for its smooth feel and moisturizing power, so you’ll spot it in body butters, facial moisturizers, lip balms, hand creams, hair masks, after sun lotions and many anti aging blends where a rich yet non sticky finish is desired.

Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

In skincare and haircare formulas this ingredient serves a single but important role as an emollient, meaning it softens and smooths the surface of skin or hair. By filling in tiny gaps in the skin’s outer layer it helps trap water, reduces roughness and leaves a velvety finish. The result is skin that feels more supple and comfortable and hair that looks glossier and less frizzy.

Who Can Use Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter

Most skin types can enjoy this butter. Its rich fatty acid profile makes it especially helpful for dry or mature skin that craves extra nourishment while normal and combination skin usually tolerate it well in balanced formulas. Very oily or highly acne-prone complexions may find it a bit too heavy if used neat or in large amounts because its richness can sit on the surface and potentially add to a greasy feel.

The ingredient is 100 percent plant derived so it fits comfortably into vegan and vegetarian routines with no animal inputs involved in its harvesting or processing.

Topical use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not known to pose specific risks because the butter is non-volatile and largely stays on the skin’s surface. That said this is not medical advice and women who are pregnant or nursing should run any product past their healthcare provider just to be safe.

Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter is not photosensitising so it will not increase sensitivity to sunlight. It also plays nicely with common actives like retinol vitamin C or acids as it can buffer their drying effect without interfering with efficacy.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Reactions to topical Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter vary from person to person. The points below outline potential issues yet most users will not experience them when the ingredient is properly formulated and stored.

  • Allergic contact dermatitis
  • Clogged pores or breakouts in individuals already prone to acne
  • Mild irritation if the butter has oxidised or become rancid
  • Rare cross-reactivity in those with known seed or nut allergies from the same plant family

If any irritation swelling or persistent breakouts occur stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 2 out of 5. Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter is rich in oleic and stearic acids that give it a creamy occlusive feel, yet its texture is lighter than heavier butters like cocoa. It can sit on the surface long enough to block pores in some users but it also melts readily and absorbs better than thicker butters, keeping the risk moderate rather than high. People who are very acne-prone may prefer to limit it to small percentages or rinse-off products.

No additional safety concerns related to comedogenicity have been documented in the scientific literature or through cosmetic safety reviews.

Summary

Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter acts mainly as an emollient, filling microscopic gaps in the skin barrier to lock in water and leave a soft, supple finish. Its mix of oleic, linoleic and stearic acids plus minor natural tocopherols helps smooth rough texture, boost comfort and add a light protective layer that can also reduce frizz and add shine to hair.

While trusted regionally for generations the butter is still a niche player in global beauty ranges, appearing more often in indie body butters and clean beauty lines than in mass-market labels. Formulators appreciate its pleasant slip and non-sticky afterfeel which makes it easy to blend with oils or waxes.

Current data show it to be a low-risk ingredient with very few reports of irritation or allergy. As with any new skincare ingredient it is wise to perform a patch test when trying products containing Carpotroche Brasiliensis Seed Butter to ensure personal compatibility.

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