‘Cocoa is the food of the gods’

Possessing the Latin name, theobroma cacao, cocoa beans are fermented seeds from the cacao tree, native to the Amazon.

Cocoa beans have innumerable skincare and medicinal benefits, along with being a popular ingredient in chocolate.

Essential Nutrients in Cocoa

Cocoa offers many benefits in skincare. Cocoa can be utilized in numerous forms like cocoa powder, cocoa oil and cocoa butter. Its main constituents are phenolic phytochemicals, minerals especially magnesium, theobromine etc. When infused in skincare product formulations, these bioactive compounds allow cocoa to have anti-aging, moisturizing and powerful antioxidant properties.

Antioxidant Driving Force

This one goes for consuming cocoa as part of your skincare rather than applying it topically. Cocoa is packed with antioxidant flavonoids, called flavanols. Flavanols are plant-based antioxidants that assist to maintain the elasticity of the blood vessels.

This supports blood flow, increases elasticity of veins and arteries and helps in the repair of skin damaged by sun exposure and environmental pollutants. The higher the percentage of cocoa consumed with minimal sugar; the higher the proportion of flavanols delivered to the blood.

Protects the Skin

Antioxidants limit the production of free radicals that destroy skin cells. Thereby refurbishing the healthy appearance of the skin and decreasing signs of aging. Antioxidants help to restore the harm done to your skin cells by free radicals from environmental stressors, ultra violet rays, car exhaust, and cigarette smoke. They stimulate blood circulation and enhance the formation of new cells, making skin look young and glowing.

Owing to the high emollient properties of cocoa, it acts as a good moisturizer for the skin. It is also used for conditioning and softening of skin and dry lips. Cocoa is a popular ingredient in skincare products like scrubs, soaps, lotions, hand creams and lip balms.

We suggest you use Pinksoul’s choco vanilla body butter. The organic skincare product is made with cocoa, vitamin E, shea butter and almond oil. It penetrates deep in the skin layers and moisturizes dry skin, revealing its natural glow.

Youthful Appearance

Applying cocoa on your skin in your skincare, tackles the damage done by the ultra-violet rays. Cocoa comprises theobromine. This causes vasodilation in the capillaries, thus increasing blood flow to the skin's surface.

Blood carries oxygen and essential nutrients all over the body and aids in carrying away toxins and free radicals. Poor blood flow can cause dry skin and an overall unhealthy appearance.

Thus using cocoa regularly in your skincare regime increases blood flow and oxygen saturation in the skin layers. The increased blood flow prevents the skin from dryness, very similar to when it reacts when sunburned. It inclines to reverse the effects of aging by encouraging healing and regeneration, making the skin more glowing and young.

Reducing Wrinkles

Cocoa contains magnesium and vitamin C. Both of these play a part in protecting the skin and making it healthy. Applying it topically in your skincare regime also helps to diminish the formation of scars particularly contracture scarring.

Cocoa is rich in minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, sodium and copper. It also contains large amounts of omega 6 fatty acids that help in skin healing at the cellular level. It also stimulates blood circulation and skin hydration. This improves the skin's glow, which is crucial for a youthful complexion.

Wear a Cheerful Face with a Cocoa Mask

Cocoa mask has become a famous skincare product to boost blood flow and supply antioxidant power to the skin. The increased blood flow heals the damage done by the sun and makes the skin healthy and radiant.

Many skincare enthusiasts also ingest cocoa powder to derive its benefits. However, applying it topically in the form of a facemask delivers faster results. This is because the cocoa mask hydrates the skin and alleviates the breakdown of cells that naturally comes with aging.

Cocoa also contains a high amount of vitamin E. This stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen makes the skin firm and elastic. The aging procedure diminishes collagen levels and skin ends up losing elasticity causing wrinkles. Vitamin E aids to kindle the body’s natural collagen production, giving you slicker, fresher looking skin.

Calming Impact

Cocoa contains polyphenols. When you consume them in your skincare routine, they act as anti-inflammatory substances in the body. This affects cardiovascular, intestinal, metabolic and neurological functions.

Polyphenols are like sunscreen supplements and are useful for skin diseases linked to UV- radiation associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. The polyphenols in cocoa control intestinal microbes therefore ensuing in the development of bacteria that stimulate a tolerogenic anti-inflammatory trail. An increase in the gut bacteria decreases overall inflammation in the body.

Cocoa is soothing and restorative leading to a resilient and radiant skin. So next time when you are craving some chocolate, give into it! You might also want to smear some cocoa powder onto your face as part of your skincare regime!