Chocolate: once an enemy, now our friend!
Who has not dreamed of eating chocolate to their heart’s content without putting on an ounce? Yet, few of us would have ever imagined that we could use this guilty pleasure as a cosmetic treatment. So let’s zoom in on chocotherapy.
There was a time when chocolate stood accused of numerous beauty-related problems, such as acne, but now things have changed. Chocolate, which is considered black when its cocoa content is a minimum of 35%, has proven itself to be a food with clear health benefits and is becoming known for its cosmetic properties. In addition to this, it has many more things to teach us.
Awaken your senses
The use of chocolate dates back a long time: the Mayans and the Aztecs coated the body in a cocoa paste to treat burns and chapped skin. In modern times, numerous companies reap the benefits of cocoa by using it to develop products that are made all the more desirable by the inclusion of cocoa butter, which brims with phospholipids and fatty acids and is therefore beneficial for restructuring the skin. Furthermore, the amino acids present in chocolate nourish the skin cells and improve microcirculation, putting an end to red blotchy skin and lacklustre complexions. From lip balm to body lotion, face masks to toiletries, the list of cosmetics for home use is continually growing. And did you know that cocoa also contains caffeine, which tones and removes cellulite? What then could be more tempting than to lavishly coat your legs in it, without putting on an ounce!
In other words, this irresistible, melt-in-the-mouth delight is a real ally for our body. The beauty parlours are always extolling the virtues of new treatments like massage with argan oil, honey scrubs and the use of Asian fragrances. Now, chocolate too has achieved unanimous approval. It is relaxing and highly favourable to dry and ageing skin. Its scent and melting texture always remind us of ice cream, mousse and other chocolate-flavoured treats. We love it!
Hidden properties
Chocolate has no end of surprising, beneficial qualities. Besides its peach-soft effect on the skin thanks to its content of cocoa butter, its anti-oxidant properties are also alluring, being even more prevalent than in green tea or broccoli. Anti-oxidants enable us to combat environmental stress and halt the appearance of free radicals, which are responsible for the skin’s ageing. Cocoa is also rich in flavonoids and contains vitamins A, B, C and E, minerals (potassium, iron, calcium and copper) and trace elements.** All in all, it is a regenerative cocktail for the skin!**
http://arabia.msn.com/Women/FashionAndBeauty/2010/February/1217239.aspx?ref=readmore
