Known about since the times of the Mayas and the Aztecs, chocolate has a special place in our nutrition. It is filled with tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is a precursor of serotonin, neurotransmitter that is thought to regulate mood.
Recently, a very popular massage offered in beauty salons is chocolate massage. It is one of the most gentle and relaxing massages available. Not only is it beneficial to the skin, it helps stabilize your mood by initiating serotonin release. It is very rejuvenating and helps you feel more at peace, happy, and relaxed.
I have also heard of chocolate body wax, similar to honey based honey wax. What makes it effective is sugar present in it, that makes it sticky and able to adhere to hairs. Due to fatty acids present in cocoa, the skin becomes soft and nourished.
Cocoa powder, which is what chocolate is made of, is a wonderful and powerful antioxidant. It protects and frees the skin from free radicals, that cause significant damage to skin layers. It is a mistake to think that chocolate causes acne. Although chocolate has been blamed as one of the causes of acne , this has not been scientifically proven as of yet. Actually, dermatologists say that what causes acne in people who consume chocolate is milk that is added to it, not the chocolate itself. As I mentioned, it has free radicals present, and is far from detrimental so don't let a little myth stop you from consuming this divine treat :)
Back to chocolate face mask recipe...
This cocoa recipe has many variations. It might as well be called cocoa powder facial mask recipe as you really need cocoa, not chocolate to prepare it. But you must agree, for the sake of skin care, chocolate mask sounds so much more appealing.
Chocolate face mask recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream (sour cream will work as well)
- 3 teaspoons of oatmeal powder
Preparation
Mix all the ingredient until the mass in consistent. Apply on the face, gently massaging it so that oatmeal can start exfoliating the dead skin cell layer. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with luke warm water.
In case you are wondering, there is a reason oatmeal and honey are added to this mix. Similar to its use in body scrub recipes, oatmeal it is recommended for sensitive skin, but can be used in preparation of facial masks for any skin type, as well as for preparation of facial exfoliants as it is gentle on the skin, yet highly powerful.
Honey on the other hand, is a great anti-bacterial agent, deeply cleanses your skin, and opens up clogged pores.
Now that you know all these benefits of chocolate, not only can you be guilt free while eating it, you can prepare an excellent chocolate face mask recipe and aid to your skins youthful look and nourishment.
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