The beauty benefits of cocoa on your skin
SOME say the way to a woman’s heart is through a large slab of chocolate. No special occasion needed, and the form it’s in doesn’t really matter either.
What most women might not be aware of is that the dark, rich treat is more than just a mood enhancer or decadent dessert. Believe it or not, it’s good for skin and can easily become part of your beauty routine.
Here’s how your skin benefits from the treat.
Cocoa powder contains antioxidants that fight off free radicals. Free radicals rob oxygen from skin cells to balance themselves. In the process, they create skin cells lose oxygen and become lifeless. This causes skin problems like blemishes and dull skin. A cocoa powder face mask can help repair and rejuvenate your skin.
Mix 1 tbsp organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp honey, 1 tbsp ground oatmeal powder and 2 tbsp Greek yogurt in a small bowl until it forms a paste.
Apply on to your clean face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Because of its fine texture, cocoa powder allows for gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin. Ideal for use on sensitive skin.
Add a little of milk to cocoa powder, gently apply to your face and use the paste as you would any other scrub.
Do you have dull skin that needs brightening up? Cocoa improves your skin complexion, making it brighter and clearer. The flavonoids (known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory health benefits) boost its elasticity and help reduce blemishes that causes skin to become dull.
The caffeine (yes, chocolate contains caffeine) and theobromine found in cocoa powder make skin firm, taut and toned. That’s because they help break down fats and eliminate excess fluid retention. So if you have sagging skin, puffy skin and even under-eye bags, try making a mask out of cocoa powder and applying it to your face for a few minutes.
I’ve saved the best for last! “Reduces” and “cellulite”. Two words that bring much joy. Cocoa powder contains caffeine, which helps drain fatty cells and promotes the flow of excess fluids out of the body. This helps clear off cellulite by tightening the skin. The best way to do this is to make a cocoa coffee scrub.
In a large bowl combine ¼ cup cocoa powder, ½ cup ground coffee, 1 tsp of cinnamon powder and ¼ cup liquid coconut oil and mix into a soft scrub.
Rub the mixture on wet skin on the areas where you want to attack cellulite. Rinse after 10 minutes. Best done in the shower.