Yummy Chocolates and Skin care

Published On Thursday, February 24, 2011 By Luv4Nature. Under: Natural Skincare Recipes. Tags: Antioxidant, Beauty, Chocolate, skincare

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Chocolate comprises a number of raw and processed foods produced from the seeds of the tropical cacao tree. Chocolate contains alkaloids such as theobromine and phenethylamine , which have physiological effects on the body. Flavanols , found in chocolate, are antioxidants and can help prevent damages from the sun. They also promote healthy arteries and, in turn, healthy blood flow. Healthy blood flow is good for the skin and keeps it looking young. Eating a little bit of dark chocolate daily is good for the skin and the body. If chocolate is applied on the skin, then it will return a youthful glow and protect the skin from the effects of the pollution.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is produced by adding fat and sugar to cacao mixture. Dark chocolate, with its high cocoa content, is a rich source of flavanoids epicatechin and Gallic acid, which are thought to possess cardioprotective properties. Several studies have indicated that dark chocolate have proved to be a high energy food supplement and supply instantaneous energy to the body.

Dark chocolate has recently been promoted for its health benefits, including a substantial amount of antioxidants that reduce the formation of free radicals, although current scientific evidence is against the health improvements by the dietary antioxidants. Some studies suggest that daily consumption of the chocolate drinks could protect your skin from the harmful effects of the ultra violet rays of the sun.

Benefits of Chocolate for Skin

• Chocolate contains powerful anti-oxidant properties and is considered to be a health food.
• Due to the anti-oxidant quality, it prevents the free radicals from causing damage to the skin’s elastin, other protein and collagen.
• Eating foods that are rich in flavanoids help to maintain collagen and fight the sun damage.
• Chocolate is used to smooth out the wrinkles due to the anti-oxidant properties.
  It hydrates the skin and prevents it from the drying effects.
• Chocolate rejuvenates the skin and act as a good moisturizer.
• It can exfoliate the dead skin cells and helps in the regeneration of the new skin cells.
• Frequent dark chocolate facial can delay the anti-aging process of the skin.

Chocolate Facial Mask

• 1/3 cup of cocoa butter
• ¼ cup of honey
• 3 teaspoons of oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons of heavy cream

Mix all these ingredients thoroughly and make a fine paste. Now apply this paste on your face and gently massage it so that oatmeal removes the layer of the dead skin form the face. The oatmeal is a great exfoliant, especially if you massage it in! This creates a skin care treatment that results in clean and healthy skin. Leave this facial mask on your face for at least 20 minutes and then wash ff with the lukewarm water. Finish off the skin care treatment with your favorite moisturizer.