Winter Skin Series: February
“Nine out of ten people like chocolate, the tenth person always lies...”
As I sit here to write this, I am eating chocolate. It is an integral part of my everyday life and even in my skincare routine. There are a lot of myths out there about chocolate and what it means for your skin. My love for chocolate is what made me decide on making this entire blog about this delicious treat. So read on to discover the amazing benefits that chocolate can bring to your life and skin!
There are so many reasons to love chocolate, and even if you are like a friend of mine who is allergic to chocolate, there is always white chocolate (ok not really chocolate but c’mon they can’t eat chocolate!). What is it about this ingredient that makes it not just a tasty treat but also beneficial for our bodies? According to Dermascope Magazine Online:
“Chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties and is now considered to be a health food.
Because of the antioxidants in cacao that defend against free radicals, they might be able to stave off lines, wrinkles and discoloration [in skin]
The antioxidant properties prevent the free radicals from causing damage to the skin’s elastin, other protein and collagen.
Cocoa’s antioxidant potential is comparable to green tea. Dark chocolate, in particular, has a very high antioxidant potential. Chocolate is considered dark if it has 35 percent cocoa.
Cocoa has a nourishing effect on the skin.
Hydration of the skin is possible – chocolate is a good moisturizer.
Chocolate has skin softening properties, probably as it contains cocoa butter.
One can exfoliate the dead skin cells and regenerate new ones – thus, cocoa rejuvenates the skin.
Eating foods that are rich in flavanoids, help to fight against sun damage. According to a study in The Journal of Nutrition, participants who drank a special chocolate drink every day for 12 weeks experienced “25 percent less skin redness in response to UV exposure and also improved their skin texture and hydration.”
All of these benefits sound perfect to me! Just head out and grab a Hershey’s bar and make a mask! WRONG!!! Do not make your own chocolate skincare out of just any old chocolate, especially not one with so many extra ingredients. It’s those extra ingredients which lead to skin issues, speaking of which, now that you are fully in love with the idea of chocolate for your skincare, let’s bust some myths.
“In truth, chocolate’s effect on your skin ‘depends on the source, ingredients, and type of chocolate,’ said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm, owner of the Art of Skin in Solana Beach, California. . . ‘The myth that chocolate makes your skin break out likely comes from some confections’ dairy content’, Palm said. ‘For a minority of acne patients, dairy may actually worsen acne breakouts.’ ”
I have mentioned this to my clients before and I always love the responses I get, usually surprise but also that sense that you kinda knew your parents were lying to you. So here’s the truth: chocolate has a ton and I mean a ton of beneficial nutrients that aid in skin and body health, but like everything, only in moderation. Chocolate in and of itself does not cause acne, what does or can cause it: salt, dairy, processed foods, stress, imbalance in hormone levels, friction (like your phone, pillowcase, hat, etc.) and a few other things I will save for a future blog. Note that salt and dairy are typically hand in hand with chocolate, especially if your chocolate is coating something. Yes, diet may be a factor, but chocolate alone is not the culprit.
The cons to chocolate is actually something related more to the sugar content, which can be controlled based on your diet and if you are consuming dark chocolate or its sweeter cousin- milk chocolate. Sugar does have a big effect on the body and on your skin, a little process known as glycation.
Glycation is the process where sugar molecules bind to protein molecules (typically collagen and elastin, why is still unclear) which results in disruption to the protein creating a glycated-protein that are stiff and rigid. These stiff, rigid proteins are what lead to wrinkles and aging as the collagen and elastin fibers are not flexible anymore. Luckily, when using chocolate in skincare it is used in its natural form of cocoa with no added sugars, so topically you aren’t glycating proteins. However, in a diet with too much sugar in it, no amount of antioxidants can undo the damage. In life, everything is about balance and the same is true for your skincare.
“...most of cocoa’s nutritional value is lost during the processing of chocolate, beauty products are a great way for you to reap its benefits to the fullest.”
I am all about DIY don’t get me wrong, but in this case because of the specific ingredient we are talking about, you need science and a lab to ensure that you are getting the parts of this ingredient that you want delivered to your skin appropriately. So don’t hate on me for not giving you some DIY ideas, instead I’ll give you some key points when shopping the skincare market for this little gem.
The most important point when scoping out a new product is being able to navigate an ingredient list. The first five ingredients are in the highest concentration, everything listed after those are not in order of concentration but are present in the product, just not in a high amount. With that said, if your product claims to have cocoa in it but you don’t see it high on the list, than it is just for aroma or show but not for actual affect. Here are just a few of the cocoa inspired beauty products that rank high on my list:
Chocolate Fig Vitamin Recover Serum
Farmhouse Fresh
I love this one so much I brought it into the treatment room for February spa specials! Loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, and smelling like an edible treat (but do not eat it!) this serum will leave your skin nourished and glowing. It can be a little sticky , which is normal for natural or organic skincare, so don’t keep rubbing it in just apply and let it settle. Maybe even keep this in the fridge so it will last longer.
Perricone M.D. Cocoa Moisture Mask
Perricone M.D.
A beautiful anti-aging mask, this jar of cocoa will apply white but change color to a deep chocolate as the microcapsules burst releasing the beloved cocoa. As chocolate is so rich in antioxidants, the skin may feel a little flushed during or after use. Remove with cool wipes, maybe try a reusable sponge so that you aren’t using a rough, potentially already used washcloth.
Cocoa Body Exfoliant
Fresh
There are so many positive reviews on this one, even though I haven’t personally tried it yet it deserved to be on this list. Noted for its uncanny aroma of brownies, pulverized cocoa and coconut shell polish away dead skin while the cocoa nourishes skin back to life.
Cocoa Skin Cream
Meow Meow Tweet
Remember that part about being able to read an ingredient list? This small batch vegan skin cream has only four ingredients: cocoa, shea butter, hemp, and sunflower oil. Treat your skin (maybe better) like you treat your fridge, loaded with the good stuff!
Dark Chocolate Mint Mask
Skin Script Skincare
Unfortunately this product is professional use only, so they every day person cannot purchase it, however I put it on here as this is a treatment available at a skincare facility that uses Skin Script, like Enlighten Bodhi Spa. This amazing mask stimulates sleepy collagen and elastin cells creating the perfect anti-aging treatment. Schedule a skin treatment with me during February and you will surely be treated to this yummy mask!
Just a few ideas to help you get going on incorporating chocolate into your skincare game. You are now knowledgeable on all things chocolate from its pros and cons, myth busting the lies about its effect on the skin and most importantly how to use it and get the biggest bang for your buck. Take this all and go forth into the land of Sephora and skincare, never forgetting to check your ingredient list before you check out!
Till next time, be good to your skin and even better to yourself,
xx eri