Is Chocolate THE Ingredient for Better Skin?

Chocolate is often seen as an indulgent treat. Yet, research indicates it’s not just a food for pleasure. Chocolate is high in antioxidants. It’s been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. It may help enhance blood flow to the brain to boost cognitive functioning. It could even boost mood and help you better manage blood sugar. Plus, one lesser-known benefit is chocolate for skin.

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Chocolate for Skin: 5 Benefits

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, which is lower in sugar and higher in cocoa, appears to have numerous benefits for the skin. This is because chocolate and cocoa powder are high in flavonoids, theobromine, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and phenethylamine, which may provide:

• Antioxidant protection: Chocolate is known for its abundance of antioxidants known as flavonoids. These nutrients can help protect the skin from environmental pollutants. As a reminder, antioxidants like flavonoids help neutralize harmful free radicals. This then reduces oxidative stress. The benefits of chocolate for skin could thus include slowing skin aging.
• Improved hydration and density: Because the flavonoids and theobromine in dark chocolate may enhance blood flow and oxygen to the skin, this could help improve hydration and help plump or thicken the skin, making the skin appear smoother and more youthful. Cocoa butter is also rich in healthy fats like oleic, palmitic, and steric acids. These fatty acids can help lock in the moisture in the skin and help the skin maintain elasticity. They may also help promote cell repair for younger, healthier-looking skin.
• Protection against sun damage: The antioxidants in chocolate may help protect against UV radiation and even help prevent sunburn. Of course, chocolate can’t replace sunscreen, but it could provide some additional protection against the damaging effects of sun exposure.
• Nutrients that help the body balance inflammation: Antioxidants found in chocolate may also help the body balance inflammation in the skin. More research is needed, but this could help improve conditions like acne and psoriasis.
• Reduced levels of stress: Phenylethylamine found in chocolate may help promote feelings of well-being and boost mood. Yes, these are psychological rather than physical effects. However, stress reduction can indirectly benefit the skin.

Together, these benefits of chocolate for skin could enhance the overall appearance—helping you look younger, healthier, and more radiant. By increasing blood flow to the skin, more nutrients and oxygen can be delivered. This can help promote healing and rejuvenation. Dark chocolate also provides magnesium, zinc, and iron, which may help improve skin tone and complexion.

That said, different people react differently to foods. For some people, consuming chocolate, especially chocolates that are high in sugar or dairy (e.g., milk chocolate), can make skin conditions worse. So, before you add more chocolate for skin to your diet, check the ingredients, sugar, and calorie content. And only consume dark chocolate in moderation.

Chocolate for Skin: Consume or Apply?

To best benefit the skin, should you consume chocolate or apply it topically? You can do both! Each option has unique advantages.

When you eat dark chocolate, you are providing your body with a rich amount of antioxidants, which, as mentioned above, can help fight free radicals, protect against UV damage, and improve blood flow to the skin. This helps nourish the skin from the inside out. Plus, chocolate is delicious!

You can also apply chocolate or cocoa-based products directly to the skin. When applied topically, you’ll also benefit from the antioxidants in the chocolate to help prevent signs of aging and improve the overall glow of your skin.

The ingredients in chocolate, such as cocoa butter, are also well known for helping moisturize the skin and keep it feeling soft and well-hydrated. You can even create your own DIY applications with cocoa powder to help soften the skin and reduce inflammation.

For instance, you can mix cocoa powder with honey or yogurt to create a nourishing face mask. You can use cocoa butter as a moisturizer to hydrate the skin and enhance elasticity. Or, you can make a DIY chocolate skin scrub by mixing your cocoa powder with sugar or salt for a delicious antioxidant-rich exfoliating treatment.

Before you start slathering your skin, remember to patch-test the product (commercial or DIY) to ensure your skin reacts favorably. Also, be careful if you have acne-prone skin, as the oils in chocolate can clog pores.

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Another ingredient that’s well-known for its skin benefits is collagen. Why not combine the two to double the impact (and indulge your tastebuds at the same time)? Now you can with this super simple and tasty recipe:

Nutrition