By Shahnaz Husain
Does chocolate actually benefit the skin? In the high-end spas and salons, chocolate facials are premium treatments. Research has shown that the cocoa content in dark chocolate does benefit the skin. It is said to be high in antioxidants, thus helping to delay the formation of aging signs. It also helps to nourish the skin and make it soft and smooth. Chocolate is also said to induce relaxation, which is an advantage in skin treatments.
To derive the benefits of chocolate skin care, chocolate face packs can be made at home, using chocolate or cocoa powder along with some kitchen ingredients. Plain chocolate can be powdered and used in the pack.
Here are a few chocolate masks which you can mix at home:
Mix together three teaspoons cocoa powder and 2 teaspoons oats with egg white and one teaspoon each honey and curd. Adjust the ingredients, so that it is a thick paste, which does not drip. If it is too thin, add more cocoa powder. To make it thinner, add more curd or milk. For dry skin, add egg yolk, instead of egg white. First cleanse the skin and then apply the mask, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes with plain water.
For an oily skin, mix cocoa powder or chocolate with Fuller’s Earth or “multani mitti” and rose water. Apply on the face and wash it off when it is dry. In fact, fruit pulp can also be added to this pack. Ripe papaya would be ideal.
You can also make a chocolate scrub at home. Mix cocoa powder with coffee powder, ground almond or walnut powder and curd.
Have a Chocolate facial at home. After cleansing, apply your home made scrub. Leave it on for a few minutes. Then, moisten with water and rub gently on the skin with small circular movements. Wash off with water.
A chocolate nourishing cream can be used to massage the face with a little cold water, using outward and slightly upward movements. Massage with creams suits normal to dry skin. Wipe off with moist cotton wool.
After the massage, give the skin cold compress with chilled rose water and cotton wool pads. Then apply your Chocolate face pack, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. After 20 to 30 minutes, moisten with milk and then wash off with water.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.
