Confession:  I used alcohol on my face this morning. I know, I know. That's like the cardinal beauty sin that will send you straight to a place where you'll be tormented with pimples that pop up on the tip of your nose so that all your friends and co-workers will call you "Rudolph" behind your back. However, I felt like my skin needed a really deep cleansing and I'd already exfoliated, exfoliated, exfoliated. So, I wanted to just strip it.  I am happy to report that so far my face has not fallen off. I will keep you posted.

You often hear me tout the merits of Shea butter as a skin healer, blemish eraser, and dry-patch softener.  I recently called out L'Occitane's pure shea butter and realize that I did not give equal attention to brother Cocoa. 

Before Shea ever got popularized in the modern beauty world, Cocoa butter was a staple of my household for skincare.  The familiar coconutty smell of lotion containing Cocoa butter, rubbed on arms and legs to a glowing shine, was as familiar and recognizable as that of fresh cut grass in summer, or honeysuckle in spring.

So, to that end, I'm calling out a tried and true friend:

Beauty Buzz: CocoCare 100 percent Cocoa Butter Stick. Comes in a push up tube, for easy application.

Why I love it:  Priced at a whopping $4 or less (I could stop right there...), it's a low-priced secret weapon every man, woman, boy, or girl should keep on hand. With loyal and dedicated use, you can fade out scars, stretch marks (my personal battle, and no I will not post a picture so you can compare), and mosquito bites. Find it at on line or neighborhood drugstores.

CAVEAT:  After applying Cocoa butter, it's best to try to rub it in as well as possible, as it is an oil and might be slippery to the touch.  Wouldn't want anyone sliding off of a chair or staining a leather seat.