After years of being incorrectly blamed for causing acne, chocolate has redeemed itself as the new skin savior at spas around the world. Classic confection brands often market their own massage creams and treatments alongside off-brands with a basic cocoa base. Chocolate spa treatments include basic massages with a cocoa-based cream or oil, hot oil rubs, chocolate waxes and facials, while commercial products incorporate cocoa into everything from hand creams to lip gloss.
Firms Skin
Chocolate's high caffeine content stimulates your circulation, allowing your blood to naturally rejuvenate and heal your skin, reports Fox News. Antioxidants also give your skin a plumper, firmer feel and help your cells build collagen and elastin. Antioxidants work throughout your skin to prevent damage by free radicals, the culprits responsible for aging skin and loss of elasticity, says Vanderbilt University.
Moisturizes
The natural oils found in cocoa butter are usually combined with other traditional massage oils, like safflower and olive oils, which work into your skin to give it deep moisture. Beyond simply rubbing on commercial lotion, a chocolate massage gives you a power-pack of moisturizing agents. Chocolate massage all over for extremely dry skin or on specific rough patches, including knees, elbows and soles, reports The Herb Companion. The antioxidants found in chocolate massage creams also help the skin retain moisture long after the massage is over.
Improves Your Health
Chocolate can benefit other aspects of your health, notes Fox News. Dark chocolate is especially rich in antioxidants, which can boost your cardiovascular system. Additionally, Dr. Alan Hirsch, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation of Chicago, said on FoxNews.com that chocolate positively affects your brain by causing feelings of euphoria. Even the smell of rich chocolate can give someone the mental and physical benefits normally enjoyed with consumption, says Hirsch.