Chocolate for skincare?
Chocolate helps the soul, but not skin diseases
Chocolate in wellness products is on-trend. Cosmetic manufacturers use the positive reputation of chocolate to market their products. The best known are so-called "hot chocolate baths" or face masks, which promise to be beneficial to the skin. Dermatologist Prof. Hans Meffert is skeptical about the marketing strategies of the manufacturers. The ingredients and applications are beneficial for the soul, but the effect on the skin is rather small, according to the expert. With care products, users can by no means cure skin diseases.
Chocolate as an elixir of life
Chocolate has always been considered a true elixir of life. Numerous scientific studies have now shown that the phytochemicals of the cocoa plant are working wonders. For example, regular consumption of high-percentage chocolate is intended to reduce the risk of cancer, protect against cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and reduce symptoms of depression. The dark chocolate is particularly valuable, it contains a high value of valuable antioxidants. According to researchers at the US University of Pennsylvania, the "radical catcher" rate is even higher than in various fruit juices and fruit varieties. These catchers prevent the oxidation of sensitive molecules, which is triggered by a reaction of mostly oxygen and other oxidizing chemicals. But what about the numerous chocolate beauty products? "This is more about the psychological effect, i.e. the feeling of doing something good with chocolate," explained skin expert Prof. Hans Meffert. Although there are indeed some things in the chocolate that are good for the skin, the care products cannot hide the fact that skin diseases cannot be cured with chocolate in this form.
Cocoa in a natural way can heal wounds
In this context, Meffert refers to a scientific study by the University of Münster. There, researchers found that various active ingredients of cocoa bean can heal skin wounds and even stimulate skin cell growth. "However, these positive ingredients are only minimally present in cosmetic products and do not work in this dermatological effect," explains the dermatologist. However, cocoa butter can nourish the skin and be protected "by gentle greasing and dry skin from moisture loss," Meffert explained. Dr. Sabine Zenker, a specialist in skin diseases, was also critical. Consumers should not have too high expectations when buying the products. Because: "There are far better products for skincare."
Chocolate soothing for the soul
The chocolate applications are not quite as ineffective. It is above all the fragrance that appeals to the body's senses and produces a soothing feeling. Meffert explains the positive effect of a psychological effect that occurs in such applications. The fragrance awakens childhood memories and blissful endorphins are poured out. Many users have the feeling of doing something special and beautiful for themselves and their bodies. This basic attitude alone provides relaxation and causes happiness hormones to develop. This opinion was also shared by Kerstin Moog, spa manager in Bad Zwischenahn. A chocolate treatment lasts up to three hours, she explains. During this time, people experience an "incredibly beautiful body feeling". This is true during, but also after the time of the procedure.
Caution for self-applications
Numerous instructions for homemade masks, scrubs, and creams are circulating on the Internet. Since the chocolate must be liquid for skin applications, it is preheated and mixed with other ingredients. Just that heating can lead to serious injuries to the skin if the mass is applied too early and still very hot. There is a risk of severe burns and undesirable red spots on the skin. In addition, it should be made clear that a stressed skin, which is sensitive and prone to inflammation, is actually too stressed by a self-made chocolate mask. A homemade mixture can lead to inflammation if the skin condition tends to.
Users achieve the best success when they use natural cocoa butter products, which are offered, for example, in reform houses. Shea butter contains effective substances that sustainably nourish the skin and slow down skin aging. The most important ingredients are fatty acids, oil, vitamin E, allantoin, and provitamin A.