Chocolate is the most delicious natural ingredient for skincare and make-up
Here's everything you need to know about its properties
G-Club
January 5th, 2024
January 5th, 2024
It is not for nothing that chocolate is called the food of the gods, because not only does it taste good, but it also proves to be a powerful ally of beauty, thanks to its main ingredients: theobromine, caffeine and cocoa butter, which bring many benefits to our body and organism. We all know that moderate consumption of chocolate (preferably 70% dark chocolate) can elevate mood by promoting the release of endorphins, hormones that stimulate feelings of euphoria, dampen and induce feelings of joy and well-being. However, its properties are much more and affect a wide range of areas. Recent studies have shown, for example, that chocolate is a real heartbreaker, lowering blood pressure, protecting the cardiovascular system and having an anti-inflammatory effect. Rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, minerals and vitamins, it is also a true beauty ingredient, providing the skin with essential elements to improve hydration, tone and elasticity; it counteracts free radicals, thus fighting cellular ageing and leaving the complexion radiant. In addition, cocoa and cocoa butter are useful for increasing the skin's natural protection against sun exposure, preventing wrinkles by reducing cortisol, the stress hormone responsible for collagen breakdown, and strengthening the scalp.
Here are the properties of chocolate that make it an essential ingredient for daily beauty care:
It is a natural anti-ageing agent
The vitamins A, B1, C, D and E contained in cocoa beans promote blood circulation and reduce the breakdown of collagen, the anti-ageing protein that keeps the skin supple. In addition, the flavonoids contained in cocoa reduce the production of free radicals and oxidative damage, thus slowing down skin ageing. In addition, cocoa butter is an anti-inflammatory agent rich in antioxidants that help fight free radical damage and keep the skin looking healthy, radiant and young.
Good for the tan
The Aztecs already knew this, as they used cocoa to protect themselves from the sun: The flavonoids in cocoa beans are powerful antioxidants that can reduce the skin's sensitivity to redness caused by UV rays, protecting it from redness.
It is a natural exfoliator
Because it is made up of microgranules, cocoa is ideal for exfoliating, peeling and scrubbing. It is often mixed with coffee, coconut or sugar and helps to remove the top layer of the epidermis, reducing dullness and grey haze.
It is useful against skin blemishes and stretch marks
Chocolate contains theobromine, caffeine and procyanidol oligomers, substances that stimulate lymphatic circulation and promote fat loss. This is why it is recommended in beauty treatments that combat localised fat deposits and cellulite, such as lymphatic drainage massages. In addition, the caffeine and natural antioxidants in chocolate make the skin more elastic and firm.
May be useful in hair care
The properties of chocolate can support hair wellness by stimulating cell renewal, which in turn helps to reduce dry skin, promote oxygenation of the scalp and support hair growth, adding extra polish to the hair. If you want to try a homemade mask, why not prepare a pack of cocoa and olive oil? Your hair will be silky and fragrant.
FENTY SKIN Cocoa Cleans'r
14,90€
ORGANIC SHOP Body Scrub Natural Belgian Chocolate and Sugar
3,49€
BALI BODY Cocoa Body Tanning Oil SPF6
22,95€
AIME Recharge Cacao Glow
65€
FRANK BODY Cacao Coffee Scrub
18,99€
TOO FACED Better Than Chocolate
40,72€
MUGLER Angel
65€
SKINNY TAN Choc Self Tan Whip Milk Chocolate
23,45€
LUSH Posh Chocolate
11€
How to incorporate chocolate into your beauty routine
Chocolate is often labelled the enemy of the skin and wrongly accused of causing spots and other skin blemishes, but we've seen that this delicious food can actually be a particularly useful ingredient for improving the appearance of your body, skin and hair. As a true beauty ingredient, it adds moisture, tone and elasticity, but how can we incorporate it into our beauty routine? The easiest way is to choose one of the many chocolate-based products on the market, such as Frank Body's Cocoa Coffee Scrub or Fenty Skin's Cocoa Cleans'r, a solid cleansing soap for face and body that removes dirt and impurities, regulates excess oil and leaves skin soft, smooth and moisturised without drying it out.
The second option requires a little more work and patience: opt for homemade chocolate or cocoa masks, scrubs and wraps that we have in our pantry. Here are some simple recipes to try:
- Homemade chocolate scrub: Prepare a mixture by melting about 200 grammes of dark chocolate in a bain-marie. Once it has warmed up, add coarse salt. Stir. Gently massage the mixture onto your face and décolleté. Finally, rinse thoroughly. The result is smoother, more radiant and moisturised skin.
- Moisturising face mask with chocolate: Melt one or two cubes of dark chocolate in a bain-marie. Once it has cooled, add a tablespoon of olive oil (almond oil also works) and an egg yolk to the mixture. Spread it over your face and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. Then rinse it off with plenty of lukewarm water and enjoy the hydrated and rested look of your skin.
- DIY chocolate lip balm: Melt two teaspoons of beeswax in the microwave. Then add a teaspoon of cocoa powder, two teaspoons of coconut oil and, if you want to add a fragrant note, a few drops of peppermint oil to the melted wax. Pour it into a bowl, leave it to stand and use the balm on chapped and dry lips.
- Cocoa body wrap: Mix three tablespoons of bitter cocoa with warm water to obtain a homogeneous mixture, which should be uniform but smooth and lump-free. Apply the mixture to the body area to be treated and cover everything with cling film so that the substance can be better absorbed. Leave the mixture on for half an hour before rinsing it off with plenty of water. Make sure to thoroughly cleanse the skin of any residue from the compress.
- Chocolate detox bath: Chop up some dark chocolate, add coarse salt and pour everything into the bath water. Take a long detoxifying and relaxing bath.