The main antidepressant on a planetary scale was first prepared in Mexico. Only the rulers of the tribes could afford the drink. It was only in the 19th century that the first chocolate bar was created, and after this natural cosmetics based on cocoa beans were widely used in spas. Wraps, facial masks, baths, massages with aromatic chocolate give amazing results after the first use.
Cosmetic properties of chocolate
Why are chocolate masks so popular? Everything is banally simple, chocolate applied to the face and neck has a tonic effect, normalizes metabolism at the cellular level, relaxes tissues and, in addition, has a rejuvenating and renewing effect.
Cocoa butter, which is contained in significant quantities in dark chocolate, saturates every cell of the epidermis with moisture and helps restore elasticity, which is especially important for the cold season. Among other things, chocolate cosmetics are also valuable because you can easily prepare them yourself, at home.
Homemade chocolate face masks not only save money, they also allow you not to worry about the quality of the products used. And most importantly, pleasure from such a procedure can be obtained from the cooking process itself.
When making chocolate cosmetics, you must use only a natural, pure product that does not contain preservatives, flavors, sugar, and most importantly, choose chocolate with the maximum cocoa content, because cocoa butter is the main component of chocolate cosmetics. Never buy regular chocolate bars from your local supermarket.
When making a chocolate mixture, it is necessary to follow the recipe and exact proportions; if everything is done correctly, the result will be noticeable after just a few procedures, the face will become noticeably cleaner, younger, more toned and tender, and fair-skinned girls will acquire a light chocolate tint.
Precautions before using chocolate cosmetics:
- It is no secret that chocolate is a strong allergen, so a test should be performed before use to avoid an allergic reaction.
- The choice of chocolate must be taken with the utmost responsibility. For chocolate cosmetics, only high-quality dark chocolate without additives is used; the cocoa content should not be less than 50%.
- The chocolate mask is applied only to previously cleansed skin of the face and neck, otherwise the chocolate components may not have the desired effect, and fair-skinned girls may receive uneven pigmentation on the face.
- In its pure form, the chocolate mixture is not suitable for oily skin, but with the addition of the necessary components, it can be used to care for any type of skin.
Benefits of chocolate for the face
Chocolate for the face is used to solve a whole range of cosmetological problems:
- Stops the aging process;
- Saturates the dermis with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids;
- Relieves swelling and sagging;
- Prevents dehydration;
- Softens the skin, makes it more elastic;
- Stimulates the protective properties of the epidermis;
- Smoothes scars, folds, wrinkles;
- Activates blood circulation and lymph movement;
- Oval correction (long-term lifting effect);
- Has an antioxidant effect.
Homemade masks with chocolate are an affordable luxury thanks to their rich chemical composition:
- Vitamins A, PP, F, PP, B2, B1;
- Proteins;
- Theobromine, phenylethylamine, phytosterol;
- Cacao butter;
- Vanilla;
- Tannins;
- Minerals – zinc, iron, copper, magnesium;
- Caffeine.
Indications for the use of chocolate face masks are flabby, dehydrated dermis, loss of elasticity, problematic inflamed skin, swelling, unhealthy complexion, the presence of all types of wrinkles.
Contraindications: allergies caused by eating various types of chocolate do not mean individual intolerance to the product. Before the spa procedure, you need to check the effect of the composition yourself. Apply a small amount of chocolate to your wrist, a possible reaction will appear within an hour.
The best chocolate face masks
Let us clarify that only dark bitter chocolate is used for cosmetic purposes . It does not contain any additives or flavors. We invite you to study the most effective beauty recipes based on this product.
- This universal mask perfectly cleanses and nourishes the skin. It will require half a chocolate bar, melted in a water bath, as well as 10 ml of olive oil. Apply the mixture to the face and décolleté as desired, and after 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.
- A tightening mixture for aging and tired skin of the face and neck. Take 50 g of chocolate, cosmetic clay, any fruit juice. Mix the ingredients in a water bath. Apply the mask to the face and décolleté for 20-25 minutes.
- Composition for normal and combination skin. Use melted chocolate, about 50 g, as well as orange juice, flower honey, yellow clay in arbitrary proportions. Leave the mask on your face for 15 minutes.
- Dry and sensitive skin of the face and neck will be given freshness and hydration by a mixture of 25 g of dark chocolate, 20 ml of high-fat sour cream, the same amount of white or red clay and 10 ml of honey. After 20 minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water. It is effective to additionally use components such as vegetable oil, egg yolk, coconut milk, and avocado pulp.
- Oily skin will like compositions that contain juices of sour fruits and berries - apples, red currants, lemon. You can successfully use nettle or aloe extract. A mask with spices is also good. Mix 25 g of melted chocolate, 5 g of turmeric, 3 g of ground cinnamon, 10 ml of olive oil into a homogeneous mass. Apply the composition to the face and neck area with lightly massaging movements. Rinse off after 20-25 minutes.
The main components of chocolate and their properties
Natural dark chocolate contains a whole range of useful substances necessary to maintain the beauty and youth of the dermis.
- glucose (moisturizes, refreshes);
- tannins (heal microcracks);
- pectin (gets rid of free radicals, deeply cleanses);
- anandamide (relaxes the surface of the dermis);
- tryptophan (prevents the penetration of harmful bacteria into epidermal cells);
- caffeine (rejuvenates, nourishes, tones);
- vitamin PP (improves color, restores epidermal cells);
- vitamins B1, B2 (stimulate the production of collagen, due to which facial contours become more pronounced and prevent aging).
Since chocolate has such a wide range of beneficial ingredients, the results are immediately noticeable after the first use.
Expert opinion RECOMMENDED!
Moreover, chocolate-based masks are prepared in combination with other ingredients that consolidate the positive effect.
Healthy chocolate face masks
Rules for preparing chocolate facial products at home
- To prepare the mask, melt the chocolate in a water bath, stirring constantly over low heat. For chocolate cosmetics, 50-70 grams will be enough.
- Melted chocolate is not applied to the face immediately; it is allowed to cool to a comfortable temperature, after which the necessary components are added to the product in accordance with the recipe and skin type.
- As a rule, the melted delicacy is mixed with fruit pulp or vegetable oils. The mixture is brought to a homogeneous mass and applied to the face along massage lines, leaving the area around the eyes and mouth untouched. Leave the product on the face for 10-15 minutes, after which it is washed off with water at room temperature.
- If you were unable to purchase high-quality chocolate, you can use cocoa powder, for this 2 tbsp. l. The powder is diluted in a small amount of hot water to the consistency of thick sour cream. The powder mixture should also be cooled before use.
Popular recipes for chocolate masks
Like all face masks, chocolate ones are no exception; they are divided according to skin type and condition.
Chocolate mixture for all skin types
Any skin type responds well to masks containing natural liquid honey. 1 tbsp. l. honey must be mixed with 50 gr. melted chocolate and bring the mixture to a homogeneous consistency, after which the mass is applied to the face and relaxed for 15 minutes.
Also, a chocolate mask with the addition of fresh fruit juices or crushed pulp is ideal for all young ladies; preference should be given to sweet oranges.
Anti-aging cosmetic product
Using chocolate you can easily create a firming face mask. To do this, just add 1 tsp to a small amount of treat. vegetable oil. The resulting mixture is melted, brought to a homogeneous consistency, and applied to the face for 10 minutes. After removing delicious cosmetics, the skin noticeably tightens, becomes elastic and smooth.
Chocolate mask for normal skin type
For such people, the chocolate mass is filled with the pulp of various berries and fruits, these can be apples, pears, melon, raspberries, peach, banana or apricot. For 50 gr. 2-3 tbsp of chocolate is enough. l. freshly prepared pulp of the fruit you like. This mask perfectly moisturizes the skin and saturates it with vitamins.
Face mask using coffee
Recently, many girls prefer home remedies made from natural coffee, which effectively moisturize and cleanse their facial skin. If you use this mask regularly, you can improve your complexion.
Required ingredients:
- 4 tsp. ground coffee;
- 4 tsp. cocoa powder;
- 8 tsp. milk or low-fat cream.
First, mix coffee and cocoa, gradually add milk to the resulting mixture, without ceasing to stir the mass, bring it to a homogeneous consistency. The coffee face mask should be applied for 15 minutes, then rinsed off with warm water.
Product for dry skin types
Dry skin especially needs care and additional nutrition, which vegetable oil can fully provide. For a chocolate mask prepared at home, only 1 tsp is enough. selected oil and 50 gr. melted chocolate.
Preference should be given to almond or olive oil, they not only perfectly soften and nourish the skin, they also help improve the regeneration of epidermal cells. You can also add 1 egg yolk to cosmetics for dry skin if desired.
Chocolate mask for oily and combination skin
Oily and combination skin needs special and more thorough care, so you should add a little cosmetic clay and 1 tsp to the mask. freshly squeezed lemon juice. Before use, the clay must be diluted in a small amount of water, after which all components are mixed until a homogeneous consistency is formed.
For oily skin, it is also recommended to use a fruit and chocolate mask. For these purposes, it is best to use fresh currants, since the juice of these berries effectively cleanses oily skin and tightens enlarged pores.
Contraindications for use
The main contraindication to the use of chocolate face masks at home is allergic reactions to cocoa beans and additional components. To find out if you have a predisposition to an allergy to the ingredients of the mask, apply a small amount to the inside of your elbow and then leave it on for a while. If redness, itching, or other skin manifestations occur, the cosmetic procedure should be cancelled.
It is also not recommended to apply a chocolate mask to damaged facial skin, even with minor scratches and abrasions. You must first wait until they heal.
Chocolate face mask recipes
Chocolate melted in a water bath will benefit from adding different ingredients to it: a lot depends on the problem that you want to solve with the help of a face mask. In most cases, chocolate or cocoa is mixed with oils, fruit pulp, clay, as well as honey and dairy products.
Dark chocolate mask
With this mask you can restore cell membranes and speed up blood circulation. It is especially useful to do it in the cold season, because a dark chocolate mask improves the protective properties of the dermis.
Dark chocolate – 25 g
Green coffee oil – 8 ml
Starch - 7 g
Melt the chocolate in a water bath until it becomes paste-like, add butter and starch. Distribute the mask over the cleansed face towards the lymph nodes. After 25 minutes, wash off the mask with a contrast wash.
Chocolate mask for normal skin
Protects against negative environmental factors, maintains optimal acid-base balance, supplies the skin with useful substances, and improves appearance.
Dark chocolate – 50 g
Melon, apricot, pear or peach pulp - 3 tbsp. l.
Mix melted chocolate with fruit pulp and apply to the skin in an even layer for 15-20 minutes. Wash off the mask with warm water.
Chocolate mask for oily or combination skin
Eliminates oily shine, tightens pores, normalizes cellular metabolism, and actively affects the sweat and sebaceous glands.
Melted chocolate - 2 tbsp. l.
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp. l.
Orange juice - 1 tbsp. l.
Mix chocolate with juice and apply to cleansed skin. Leave for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Cocoa powder mask
Cocoa will help rejuvenate the dermis, improve complexion, smooth out scars and folds.
Cocoa – 16 g
Dark chocolate – 18 g
Avocado pulp
Peel the avocado, remove the pit and grind in a blender. Add cocoa to the melted chocolate and mix thoroughly. Add avocado. Pre-steam your facial skin, then apply the mask in a thick layer for half an hour. Rinse with warm water (preferably mineral water) with the addition of coconut oil.
Milk chocolate mask
The mask is recommended for sensitive dry skin with rosacea. Using milk chocolate you can remove the stratum corneum of the epidermis and reduce skin pigmentation.
Milk chocolate – 18 g
Cottage cheese – 15 g
Cinnamon
Patchouli essential oil
Grind the cottage cheese and chocolate in a blender, add a little tea for a more plastic consistency. Add some essential oil and cinnamon. Apply the mask for 18 minutes, rinse with water or herbal decoction of thyme and chamomile.
White chocolate and honey mask
The mask is perfect for combination and normal skin. Well tones and moisturizes. However, it may not be suitable for allergy sufferers. Therefore, it is better to test it before applying.
White chocolate – 25 g
Honey - 8 g
Perga (bee pollen) – 2 g
Melt honey and chocolate in a water bath, mix thoroughly and add bee bread. Apply the mask to cleansed skin. After complete drying, the mask can be removed.
Chocolate mask with olive oil and calendula
Suitable for dehydrated dermis. Tightens and improves skin turgor, restores lipid metabolism of cells and removes toxins.
Chocolate – 18 g
Olive oil – 7 ml
Calendula flowers – 3 g
Grind dried calendula flowers in a coffee grinder and combine them with olive oil and melted chocolate. Steam your facial skin, apply the mask and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm green tea.
Chocolate mask with strawberries
Suitable for oily skin. Helps tighten pores, even out tone, reduces subcutaneous sebum production and gives skin a healthier appearance.
Oily skin care: chocolate and sour cream mask
If you have oily skin, here are a few recipes that will help in caring for it:
- Apply half a bar of melted chocolate to your face. Distribute the remainder onto the décolleté area.
- Mix chocolate and white clay 1 to 1 and apply to the skin in a uniform layer. Thanks to this mixture, the pores are cleaned, the skin becomes smooth and soft.
- Combine a quarter of a chocolate bar and one tablespoon of sour cream along with a teaspoon of grapefruit juice. The resulting mixture is quite liquid, so each new layer must be applied, allowing the previous one to dry a little. Thanks to the mask, shine disappears and the skin becomes clean.
- Take equal amounts of chocolate and low-calorie yogurt. Together they will cleanse the skin, soften it, remove inflammation and relieve irritation.
- Foam the chocolate with the egg white. This is a fairly effective recipe in the fight against blackheads.
After time, rinse off; no need to moisturize.
Chocolate baths and wraps for the elite
If you have been struggling for a long time and unsuccessfully with extra centimeters on your waist and “orange peel” on your hips, then it’s time to resort to a chocolate body mask. By using a dark chocolate mask for wraps and baths, you will trigger collagen synthesis, fill your skin with nutrients and enjoy the relaxing effect of the cosmetic procedure.
To achieve smooth, beautiful and silky body skin, you will need at least 5-7 sessions of chocolate wraps. The following chocolate body mask is especially effective and useful: mix 250 grams of cocoa with a bag of dried ginger, olive oil and a couple of tablespoons of white or blue clay. Keep the resulting mixture on problem areas of the body for 15 minutes, then rinse it off.
Facial scrub
- Mix 20 g of melted chocolate and 1 tsp. (without top) fine table salt.
- Cool the mixture and apply to the face with massaging circular movements.
- Leave for 2 minutes, then rinse with warm water and apply nourishing cream.
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