Chocolate Facials: DIY Cocoa Face Masks For Clear Skin

Chocolate Cocoa facials are becoming popular for their many skincare benefits, not just because they can be tasty! 

The unadulterated and unsweetened version of chocolate actually possesses plenty of benefits. The beauty and skincare industry is not utilizing the many beneficial components of chocolate too. Not only does it hydrate and nourish the skin, but chocolate has the power to tone and reduce pigmentation too.

To learn more about the skin benefits of chocolate and how to incorporate into your skincare routine, keep reading as we reveal all.

Skin Benefits of Chocolate Facials

Chocolate is, surprisingly, power-packed with wonderful nutrients. These include the all-important fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, catechins, and flavanols.

When considering doing chocolate facials, here are the benefits it possesses.

Nourishes and Hydrates

The fats found in chocolate nourish dry and dehydrated skin. Furthermore, they restore the suppleness of the skin. Excitingly, chocolate facials will leave your skin looking plump, fresh, and radiant. So, your face should glow after the facial!

Suggested Article: Radiant Skin: Makeup and Skincare Tips for Luminous, Glowing Skin Inside Out

Fights Free Radical Damage

Free radicals are the most common culprits for bringing about all negative changes in the skin.

Where chocolate fights the damaging effects by eliminating free radicals from the skin, it has natural antioxidants which repair the damage. Furthermore, flavanols are the strongest antioxidants found in chocolate. They also protect the skin from hyperpigmentation.

Anti-Ageing Properties

Eating or applying dark chocolate on the skin can help fight stress. Where stress hormones can speed up the ageing process of the skin the use of Cocoa facials can reduce these hormones and retain collagen integrity in the skin.

Additionally, better collagen means that the skin is toned and has fewer wrinkles. Also, chocolate facials and scrubs increase collagen production. Win-win!

Suggested Article: Skin Tightening Treatments for Ageing Skin That Really Work.

Rejuvenates the Skin

Doing Cocoa facials can improve blood circulation to the skin due to the caffeine content of chocolate. This way all the vital nutrients reach the skin cells.

Apart from this, cocoa itself contains skin rejuvenating vitamins and minerals. These include zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, vitamin B1, vitamin E, and copper. Their benefit stands at keeping the skin nourished with a healthy glow.

Protects from Sun Damage

Flavonoids found in chocolate can block the damage caused by UV light. Their antioxidative nature protects the skin from sunburn and associated redness as well.

Promotes Cell Growth

The vitamins and minerals found in chocolate take part in the cell renewal and growth processes. Supplying the skin with these nutrients through chocolate masks enhances cell growth and development.

And last, but not least, a major skin benefit of chocolate is that it suits all skin types. Anybody and everybody can use it to refresh, nourish, and tone their skin.

What is Chocolate Therapy?

Using chocolate as a topical skin treatment in order to reap all its benefits is called chocolate therapy.

Spa and salons are incorporating chocolate and cocoa into the services they offer. Additionally, combining chocolate into spa treatments and using it with other beneficial ingredients is incredibly therapeutic. 

The chocolate therapy includes a face and/or body massage, a cocoa scrub, a chocolate wrap, and other treatments along with it.

Cocoa Scrub

Many salons start the process with a cocoa scrub. Doing so helps exfoliate the dead skin cells along with smoothing the skin – as the scrubbing motion also improves circulation and tones the skin. Additionally, the caffeine found in chocolate is responsible for the skin toning and helps to reduce cellulite and dark spots.

Suggested Article: How to Treat & Reduce Cellulite and Stretch Marks.

Chocolate Facials

Chocolate facials or a chocolate body wrap tends to come after the scrub.

When the chocolate is left on the skin for a set time, the skin absorbs all the beneficial nutrients. The antioxidants, vitamin, and minerals seep into the skin to hydrate and moisturise the skin. In addition, chocolate facials can also repair the damaged skin cells and rejuvenate the skin. Also, fine lines and wrinkles reduce in appearance as well as collagen production improves.

Cocoa butter extracted from the cacao beans is a chocolate by-product that is used to massage the skin. Interestingly, the skin’s elasticity improves and it develops a natural glow.

For a more wholesome experience, salons also offer chocolate wax, chocolate manicures, and chocolate pedicures.

Types of Chocolate You Can Use for Chocolate Facials

Choosing the type of chocolate that actually benefits your skin is important here. The chocolate you pick should contain the highest concentration of cocoa possible.

Avoid Chocolate with Additives

Avoid any chocolate that contains milk or sugar. Also, the chocolate that you pick should be free from any artificial ingredients.

Why? Sugar, milk, and other additives are unhealthy for the skin.

Dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content is the best variety to use for your luxurious chocolate skincare routine. For powdered chocolate, look in the bakery section for some organic cocoa powder.

Pick a Brand That You Trust

Good quality cacao beans that are processed well yield good quality products. Both organic cocoa powder and dark chocolate are used in chocolate skincare recipes.

Choose Dark Chocolate

The darker version of chocolate is beneficial for the skin, unlike its milk alternative.

Why? It contains healthy fats to hydrate and moisturise the skin. In addition, its antioxidants reverse sun damage and other free radical damage. It also improves collagen production and works as an anti-ageing product.

Skin redness and inflammation also calm down with a healthy cocoa facial.

Chocolate Face Mask Recipes

Organic face masks or chocolate facials – you will find all of the best recipes here!

Chocolate Acne Facial

Ingredients Needed

• Organic cocoa powder
• Cinnamon powder
• Honey

Method

1. Take one to two tablespoons of cocoa powder in a bowl.
2. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder to this and a tablespoon of honey.
3. Mix everything together to get a paste.
4. Add some water to adjust the consistency if required.
5. Apply this paste on the face and let the acne facial works its magic.
6. Leave the paste on for about 20 minutes and then wash it off.
7. Repeat this once or twice a week.

Cocoa Facial with Banana

Ingredients Needed

• Organic cocoa powder
• Banana
• Yoghurt
• Honey

Method

1. Take ¼ of a ripe banana and mash it until no lumps remain.
2. To this, add one tablespoon cocoa powder, one tablespoon yoghurt, and one teaspoon honey.
3. Mix everything together.
4. Apply the cocoa facial paste and let it dry naturally for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse it off with lukewarm water
6. Repeat once a week or twice, to treat dry skin.

Chocolate Organic Face Mask

Ingredients Needed

• Dark chocolate
• Brown sugar
• Sea salt
• Milk or water

Method

1. Take two to three small squares of the dark chocolate and melt it.
2. Once the chocolate has cooled down, add one teaspoon sea salt and two tablespoons brown sugar to it.
3. Add milk or water to adjust the consistency of the paste.
4. Apply carefully on the face and keep it on for about 15 minutes.
5. Rinse using lukewarm water and pat the skin dry.
6. Repeat once in 10 days.

Chocolate Mask for Dullness

Ingredients Needed

• Dark chocolate
• Ground oatmeal
• Honey
• Yoghurt

Method

1. Melt about two to three squares of chocolate.
2. Let it cool down a bit and then add one tablespoon honey and two teaspoons oatmeal to it.
3. Add one tablespoon yoghurt and mix everything together.
4. Apply this dark chocolate mask on the face and neck.
5. Wash it off after about 15 minutes.
6. Do this once a week or more, if needed.

Chocolate Deep Cleansing Facial

Ingredients Needed

• Cocoa powder
• Fuller’s Earth or facial clay powder
• Lemon juice
• Virgin coconut oil
• Yoghurt

Method

1. In a bowl, take two tablespoons of the clay powder.
2. Add one tablespoon of cocoa powder to this.
3. Mix the dry ingredients together so that they are blended well.
4. Add one teaspoon lemon juice and one teaspoon coconut oil.
5. Mix together and add enough yoghurt to get a smooth paste of face mask consistency.
6. Apply on the face and let the deep cleansing facial mask sit for 15 minutes.
7. Wash the mask off with tepid water.
8. Do this once a week.

Cocoa Facial for Skin Rejuvenation

Ingredients Needed

• Cocoa powder
• Heavy cream
• Coconut milk
• Coffee powder

Method

1. Take one to one and a half tablespoons cocoa powder and mix it with one tablespoon coffee powder.
2. Add a tablespoon of heavy cream and coconut milk each to this.
3. Mix them together and apply the cocoa face mask.
4. Rinse it off after 20 minutes.
5. Apply this once a week or once in 10 days, as required.

Chocolate Mask for Anti-Aging

Ingredients Needed

• Organic cocoa powder
• Green tea bags
• Yoghurt
• Honey
• Olive oil

Method

1. Soak the green tea bag in half a cup of hot water for a few minutes.
2. Take a tablespoon or two of this liquid once it has cooled down.
3. Add two tablespoons cocoa powder and one tablespoon honey to it.
4. Mix well and then, add half a teaspoon of olive oil and one teaspoon yoghurt.
5. Combine everything together and apply this on the face and neck.
6. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
7. Repeat this once a week.

Chocolate Facial Scrub Recipes

Using cocoa face scrubs regularly leaves the skin soft and supple. Where the exfoliation removes dead skin cells and other debris from the skin’s surface, the healthy ingredients in the chocolate nourish the skin.

Here are our favourite cocoa face scrub recipes:

Chocolate Scrub with Sea Salt

Ingredients Needed

• Dark chocolate
• Sea salt or Epsom salt
• Milk

Method

1. Take about an ounce of dark chocolate and melt it on a double boiler.
2. Let the chocolate cool down after melting it.
3. Add one tablespoon of sea salt or Epsom salt and one teaspoon of milk.
4. Mix the ingredients together.
5. Take the scrub little by little and start massaging the skin in circular motions with it.
6. Massage the face and neck area for a minute or two.
7. Rinse the scrub off with tepid water.
8. Use this scrub once a week.

Chocolate Scrub with Sugar and Vanilla

Ingredients Needed

• Cocoa powder
• Brown sugar
• Coconut oil
• Vanilla extract

Method

1. In a large bowl, take about a cup of brown sugar and add two to three tablespoons of cocoa powder to it.
2. Mix them together and then add half a cup of coconut oil.
3. Lastly, add half a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
4. Mix well and transfer the scrub into an airtight container.
5. Take a tablespoon or two of the mixture and scrub the face/neck with it.
6. Use gentle, circular motions only.
7. Rinse the skin after scrubbing for a minute or two.
8. Store the scrub in a cool place and use once a week for a wonderful face glow.

Cocoa Face Scrub with Ginger

Ingredients Needed

• Dark chocolate
• Brown sugar
• Ginger powder
• Cinnamon powder

Method

1. In a double boiler setup, melt an ounce of dark chocolate.
2. Once it is cool, add two tablespoons of brown sugar, half a teaspoon of ginger powder, and a pinch of cinnamon powder.
3. Mix gently so that the sugar does not melt.
4. Use the scrub to exfoliate the facial skin or even on the body if you like.
5. Wash it off with tepid water.
6. Use this scrub once a week.

To learn more about sweet treats for skincare, click here to read our article on DIY Natural Facial Popsicles for Glowing Skin. Furthermore, you can learn more about the benefits of chocolate for your eyebrows, via our article Tint your Eyebrows Naturally at Home Using Coffee and Chocolate.