How difficult it is to deny yourself such a pleasure as chocolate, but consuming it leaves your skin covered with imperfections and your figure heavier. At the same time, chocolate can have a reverse effect on both the face and the contours of the body if it is not consumed internally, but used as a cosmetic product.
The original use of this aromatic delicacy will appeal to every representative of the fair sex, because, in addition to its excellent rejuvenating and firming properties, chocolate during the procedure brings a lot of incomparable pleasure.
Magic cocoa beans guard your beauty!
The main active ingredient in chocolate is cocoa, so it is worth considering in detail its effect on the skin of the face and body.
Cocoa is one of the foods that is especially rich in antioxidants, which in turn neutralize free radicals and improve blood circulation in skin cells. Regular use of chocolate face masks helps improve complexion and create a healthy glow. In addition, cocoa beans saturate cells with minerals and vitamins, due to which the tone and turgor of the skin increase, and facial contours become clearer.
Not every candy can rejuvenate you: we recommend using chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa.
Safety regulations
Note!
Despite all the benefits of this mask, it is quite allergenic, so be sure to do an allergy test before applying. Even though you can eat chocolate without any restrictions, this does not mean that your skin also tolerates this product well. Don't be lazy and check your skin's compatibility with chocolate.
To do this is quite simple, apply a small portion of the chocolate mixture to the wrist area and hold for 10 minutes. The skin in this area is very delicate and sensitive, and if chocolate treatments are contraindicated for you, then after the test you will immediately notice obvious redness.
If no reaction occurs, then your skin tolerates chocolate well, and you can confidently perform chocolate treatments.
This is important to know!
But remember that for masks you need to use only good chocolate without filling or preservatives. Before applying the chocolate, you need to melt it in a water bath until it is semi-liquid.
Dessert for hair
No less popular is the chocolate mask, which activates blood circulation in the scalp, thereby restoring strength and thickness to the hair. It is enough to use a chocolate hair mask once a week to subsequently become the owner of a chic head of hair.
Below is an easy and easy mask recipe that is suitable for any hair type: melt 100 grams of dark chocolate in a water bath, add a blended banana, a couple of tablespoons of honey and milk. Apply the composition to the scalp and hair, wrap with cling film and wrap with a towel. Keep the mask on for an hour, then rinse with warm water.
How to choose the right chocolate for making a mask?
The absence of cocoa butter in the production of chocolate makes the product cheaper
For cosmetic use, you need to select only dark chocolate. Its composition differs from other brands of chocolate in its low sugar content and large amount of cocoa.
To find out about the contents of the tile, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition. If something else is indicated instead of cocoa butter, this product cannot be classified as real chocolate.
The absence of cocoa butter when making chocolate makes the product cheaper. This product is not suitable for making masks, since it cannot be melted in a water bath.
There are times when, when opening a package, we see chocolate with a white coating. This occurs due to non-compliance with the temperature conditions when storing chocolate. This product is also not suitable for masks.
When choosing chocolate, pay attention to the amount of cocoa content in the bar. It should be extremely high – from 65% to 99%.
In addition to chocolate, you can use cocoa powder to make masks.
Chocolate baths and wraps for the elite
If you have been struggling for a long time and unsuccessfully with extra centimeters on your waist and “orange peel” on your hips, then it’s time to resort to a chocolate body mask. By using a dark chocolate mask for wraps and baths, you will trigger collagen synthesis, fill your skin with nutrients and enjoy the relaxing effect of the cosmetic procedure.
To achieve smooth, beautiful and silky body skin, you will need at least 5-7 sessions of chocolate wraps. The following chocolate body mask is especially effective and useful: mix 250 grams of cocoa with a bag of dried ginger, olive oil and a couple of tablespoons of white or blue clay. Keep the resulting mixture on problem areas of the body for 15 minutes, then rinse it off.
And finally: the above recipes for chocolate masks for the face, hair and body are simple to implement, but very effective - you can see the effect of them in the mirror the very next day, and regular use will only strengthen and consolidate the previously achieved result.
How to cook properly
When preparing chocolate masks, a lot depends on the consistency of the ingredients. Chocolate is usually brought to a liquid state in a water bath or ground into a fine powder in a mortar.
All components of the mixture must be thoroughly mixed until smooth. Lumps and large particles are not allowed. The consistency of the finished mixture should resemble sour cream. A composition that is too thick can be diluted with warm mineral water without gas, if the recipe does not provide for other products.
Contraindications and side effects
Chocolate is an allergenic product. If you cannot eat chocolate sweets due to an allergic reaction, then you will have to stop using chocolate externally. Otherwise, there is a high probability of encountering a rash, redness and swelling of the face.
But even if there is no allergy when using the product, it does not hurt to check how the skin reacts to it. You should do an allergy test: spread a little melted chocolate on your wrist, hold it for 15 minutes, then wash it off. If your skin is clean, then you can safely use masks. If the wrist turns red and begins to itch, then cosmetic procedures are contraindicated.
You should also not use chocolate masks for psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis.
Indications for use
For facial care, use high-quality chocolate based on cocoa bean powder and butter. The confectionery product is a rich source of bioactive substances that bring great benefits to the skin:
- Vitamins B1 and B3 present in cocoa participate in the processes of skin respiration and metabolism, inhibit cellular aging;
- theobromine stimulates collagen synthesis;
- tannins extinguish inflammatory reactions, accelerate wound healing;
- lecithin protects skin tissue from the aggressive effects of ultraviolet radiation, wind, frost and other negative external factors;
- The pectin present in cocoa normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands and reduces the likelihood of acne;
- Phenylethylamine stimulates blood circulation without causing redness of the skin.
The above beneficial properties of chocolate allow you to use chocolate masks for:
- skin dehydration;
- the appearance of the first wrinkles;
- accelerated skin aging;
- low tone of the epidermis, sagging;
- acne, inflammatory formations;
- uneven complexion, pigment formations, tanning;
- swelling;
- clogged pores, excessive work of the sebaceous glands;
- the floating oval of the face.
It is especially useful to make chocolate masks for women over 30 years old. Cosmetic procedures increase the tone of the skin, rejuvenate the oval of the face, even out the tone, and return the skin to a fresh, healthy, rested appearance.
For therapeutic purposes, masks are made 2-3 times a week until the condition of the skin is normalized. For preventive purposes, it is enough to carry out care procedures once a week. Chocolate is applied to cleansed and slightly moisturized skin. Keep for 10–15 minutes. Remove with lukewarm water and finally use your usual cream.
Don't forget about safety
If you consume chocolate products in maximum portions and do not observe an allergic reaction, this does not mean that you can use chocolate masks at home without problems. Be sure to test how your skin reacts to the chocolate mixture.
To do this, apply the product to the inside of your arm between the wrist and elbow and observe the reaction for 10 minutes. If you cannot use chocolate masks, your delicate skin will “let you know” about this by noticeable redness. If the skin does not change its appearance, feel free to proceed with chocolate procedures.
Please note that only good chocolate masks should be applied to your face. The product should not contain fillers (nuts, cookies, etc.) or preservatives.
When using chocolate melted in a water bath, monitor the temperature of the mask. The product should not be hot, otherwise you can burn your face.
Before carrying out the procedures, be sure to cleanse your face (washing works best). It is useful to wash off the mask with a herbal infusion suitable for your skin type.
For oily skin types, you should not cover your face with just chocolate. It is imperative to add disinfectant components to the mask.
If you replace dark chocolate with cocoa powder, keep in mind that the effectiveness of such a mask will be somewhat less, since the powder does not contain cocoa butter, which is very beneficial for the skin.
Chocolate treatments should be carried out no more than three times a week. It is advisable to do this constantly with a break of 2 weeks every 3 months.
The best face masks using chocolate
The most popular recipes for making a chocolate face mask at home.
Made from milk chocolate
Well suited for dry, sensitive skin. Promotes gentle removal of dead cells, reduces the visibility of uneven pigmentation.
Ingredients: 20 grams each of milk chocolate and low-fat cottage cheese, a pinch of cinnamon, 2 drops of patchouli essential oil. Mix all the ingredients, grind, add a small amount of black tea to the resulting slurry. Apply it to your face and leave for twenty minutes. Rinse with warm water, chamomile or calendula decoction.
From chocolate with coffee and essential oils
Melt half the tiles in a water bath. Add honey, a few drops of essential oils of ylang-ylang, avocado, and grape seed. Mix everything, pour in the coffee grounds and cocoa.
Apply the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
Features of using chocolate face masks:
Made from dark chocolate
You will need 25 grams of dark chocolate (with a high percentage of cocoa beans) and 10 grams of starch. Chocolate melted to a paste in a water bath must be mixed with starch. Apply for thirty minutes, rinse with warm water, finish the procedure by washing with water of various temperatures.
White chocolate with honey
Ideal for normal and combination skin. Melt 30 grams of white chocolate with 10 grams of bee honey using a water bath. Apply the cooled mixture to the skin, leave until completely dry, then rinse.
Chocolate mint
Reduces pigmentation, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and activates blood circulation processes. Grind 15-20 grams of chocolate along with a few fresh mint leaves. Next, add 10 grams of white clay, a few drops of mint oil with a small amount of mineral water. Stir and apply the mask for 8-10 minutes.
Chocolate with lemon
Relieves redness, helps get rid of acne, reduces traces of acne. Melt 10 grams of chocolate, add pre-whisked sour cream with a few drops of lemon essential oil. Apply to the skin of the face, except the skin around the eyes, rinse after 30 minutes.
With chocolate for wrinkles
Deeply nourishes and reduces the appearance of age-related skin changes after just a few procedures. Melt a quarter of a dark chocolate bar and mix with a previously prepared solution of milk with algae powder. Add four drops of almond oil. Spread the warm mask over the skin and wash off after fifteen minutes.
The effectiveness of a chocolate mask for face and body
The benefits of chocolate face masks
A high-quality chocolate body mask can solve a lot of problems, not to mention the pleasant sensations from it. The nutrients of cocoa beans were first appreciated by culinary specialists and then by cosmetologists. They allow you to give your skin energy, tone it and fill it with the necessary components.
Why a chocolate face mask is beneficial:
- The highly fortified composition of the product makes it extremely useful. Niacin has a beneficial effect on the complexion and refreshes it. Thiamine prevents skin aging and makes it more elastic. Riboflavin accelerates metabolic processes and saturates cells with oxygen. The presence of vitamins makes a chocolate face mask an indispensable remedy for rejuvenation.
- Thanks to thiobromine, collagen threads do not lose their structure. Its effect on the skin is manifested in the firmness and elasticity of the integument.
- Caffeine is an antioxidant component. It fights free radicals. It has a beneficial effect on fading skin, restores it and fills it with energy.
- Tryptophan protects the skin from environmental influences and adverse weather conditions.
- The presence of tannins allows you to improve the condition of the integument, heal wounds and microcracks.
- Phenylethylamine promotes blood flow to the surface of the skin and saturation of cells with oxygen. It also causes euphoria and lifts your mood.
- Anandamide helps you relax.
- Glucose provides the skin with complete hydration.
- Vanillin softens the skin, making it soft and elastic.
- Lecithin promotes timely metabolism and protects the skin.
- Pectin cleanses the skin, making it healthier.
Thanks to miraculous masks, the skin acquires radiance and youth. They look healthy and well-groomed.
Chocolate face mask has a strong rejuvenating effect and prevents the appearance of new wrinkles and pigmentation. You can wash off the mask with plain water or using cosmetics.
