BEAUTY BENEFITS OF COCOA
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 just as good for skin and can easily become part of your beauty routine.
Skin Repair: Cocoa powder contains antioxidants that fight off free radicals. Free radicals rob oxygen from skin cells to balance themselves. In the process, the 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.
Cocoa Face Mask: Mix 1 tbs organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp honey, 1 tbs ground oatmeal powder and 2 tbs Greek yoghurt in a small bowl to form a paste. Apply on your clean face and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.
Exfoliate: Because of its fine texture, cocoa powder allows for gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin. Ideal for use on sensitive skin. Add a little milk to cocoa powder and use the paste as you would any other scrub.
Brightens skin: Do you have dull skin? Cocoa improves your complexion, making it brighter and clearer. The flavonoids (known for antioxidant and antiinflammatory benefits) boost its elasticity and help reduce blemishes that dull skin.
Firming: The caffeine (yes, chocolate contains caffeine!) and theobromine found in cocoa powder help make skin firm, taut and toned. That’s because they help break down fats and eliminate excess fluid retention.
So if you have sagging, puffy skin and eye bags, make a mask out of cocoa powder and apply it to your face for a few minutes.
Reduce Cellulite: I’ve saved the best for last! “Reduce” 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 away cellulite by tightening the skin. The best way to do this is to make a cocoa coffee scrub.
In a large bowl combine ¼cup 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 in the areas where you want to attack cellulite. Rinse after 10 minutes.
Best done in the shower.