Ramona Sinha
C. H. O. C. O. L. A. T. E. That’s how I spell “indulgence.” And I am sure it’s the same with you too! Of all the finest things in life, chocolates are something to die for. A gift, a treat, something to handle your frequent mood swings – a bar of chocolate is the answer to everything. What if I tell you that a chocolate face mask can give you flawless skin as well?
Surprised? Don’t be! Because your skin loves chocolates as much as your palate. And that’s what I have discussed here. Let’s dig in.
How Chocolate Benefits Your Skin?
Chocolates (read: dark chocolates) have immense health benefits. And they give you healthy, glowing, and flawless skin. Here’s how.
- Dark chocolate contains catechins, polyphenols, and flavanols. These organic compounds make it a powerful antioxidant. Dark chocolates are made from cacao seed extracts that are considered super fruits in terms of the antioxidant capacity. A study shows that dark cocoa chocolates contain more flavanols, polyphenols, and other antioxidants than any other fruits (1).
- It protects your skin from sun damage. The flavonols present in chocolate not only protect your skin from the harmful UV rays but also improve the hydration levels of your skin and boost blood flow (2).
- Dark chocolate helps you fight stress. Stress is one of the main causes of the collagen breakdown and wrinkles. And a study has found that cocoa helps in reducing the levels of stress hormones (3).
- Cacao extracts can also cure the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. A study involving mice conducted by the researchers from Seoul National University and the University of Massachusetts found that the polyphenols found in cacao extracts decreased inflammation and cured other allergic symptoms related to the skin condition (4).
Now that you know what chocolate can do to your skin, let’s explore some DIY chocolate face masks that you can easily try at home.
15 Must-Try DIY Chocolate Face Packs
1. Lush Chocolate Face Mask For Oily And Acne-Prone Skin
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (unsweetened, the one used for baking)
- A pinch of cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon honey (organic)
What You Have To Do
- Take a bowl and mix the cocoa powder, honey, and cinnamon.
- Make a paste. If the paste is too thick, add more honey.
- Apply it to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Chocolate and honey possess antioxidant properties that kill the acne-causing bacteria without drying your skin. They also keep your skin soft and supple.
2. Dark Chocolate Face MaskÂ
You Will Need
- 2 bars dark chocolate (use the ones with at least 70% cocoa)
- ? cup milk
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
What You Have To Do
- Melt the chocolate bar in a bowl.
- Add the salt, sugar, and milk to it and mix well.
- Allow it to cool and then apply to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Rich in antioxidants, this chocolate face mask nourishes your skin and protects it from harmful free radicals.
3. Chocolate And Clay Face Mask
You Will Need
- ÂĽ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons clay (Fuller’s earth)
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture on your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash with cold water.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Lemon juice and yogurt brighten your skin and unclog the pores. Cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants, and along with coconut oil and clay, it rejuvenates your skin.
4. Chocolate Face Mask With Cocoa Powder And Heavy CreamÂ
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
What You Have To Do
- Mix the cocoa powder with heavy cream and make a paste.
- Clean your face thoroughly and apply the face mask.
- Leave it on for 15-30 minutes and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
This is an incredibly nourishing and hydrating face mask and suits all skin types. It calms the skin, makes it soft and plump, and also smoothens it.
5. Toning Chocolate Face Mask
You Will Need
- Melted chocolate (50 gm)
- 1 banana
- 1 cup strawberry
- 1 cup watermelon
What You Have To Do
- Blend the fruits and add chocolate to it.
- Apply the face mask and leave it on for at least 20 minutes.
- Wash with warm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
This mixed fruit toning face mask is extremely hydrating. It moisturizes your skin and makes it healthier. This face mask is especially beneficial during summers as it has a very calming effect on the skin.
6. Homemade Chocolate Face Mask For Dull Skin
You Will Need
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 4 tablespoons coffee powder
- 8 tablespoons heavy cream (you may use almond milk, yogurt, or coconut milk)
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk
What You Have To Do
- Combine all the ingredients.
- Apply the pack on your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Once a week.
Why This Works
This face pack not only nourishes your skin but also gently exfoliates it. The coconut oil keeps it hydrated, the dairy product moisturizes it, and the cocoa powder soothes your skin as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
7. Chocolate Peel Off Mask
You Will Need
- ? cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ÂĽ cup organic honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly to form a thick paste.
- Apply it all over your face and neck.
- Let it dry.
- Gently peel it off. You can also massage with water to rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Once a week.
Why This Works
Cocoa and sugar remove all the dead skin cells from your face and unclog the pores. Honey kills bacteria and moisturizes your skin.
8. Chocolate Banana Face Pack For Glowing Skin
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ cup mashed banana
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Make a thick paste and apply it on your face and neck.
- Leave it on to dry.
- Wash with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Cocoa powder contains antioxidants, and along with the banana, it moisturizes your skin and maintains its elasticity. Honey is an excellent antibacterial while yogurt tones your skin and brightens it up.
9. Chocolate Rejuvenating Face Mask
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cream (heavy or sour cream)
- 1 tablespoon honey
What You Have To Do
- Combine all the ingredients until you get a thick paste-like consistency
- Gently massage the face pack on your skin.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Once or twice a week.
Why This Works
Cocoa powder contains antioxidants that rejuvenate your skin. Honey is an excellent antibacterial that thoroughly cleanses your skin and opens the clogged pores. The cream moisturizes your skin.
10. Chocolate And Oatmeal Face Pack For Dry Skin
You Will Need
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons oatmeal
- 1 teaspoon heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Use your fingertips to apply the mask all over your face and neck gently.
- Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Once a week.
Why This Works
The oatmeal sloughs off all the dead skin cells from your skin’s surface while the other ingredients keep your skin soft, supple, and moisturized. Your skin will brighten up and feel relaxed after a tiring day.
11. Hydrating Chocolate Face Mask
You Will Need
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil (unrefined)
What You Have To Do
- Blend all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Apply the face pack evenly on your face and neck.
- Let it dry for 20 minutes.
- Wash with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
This hydrating face pack nourishes the skin and hydrates it. It prevents dryness and reduces the roughness of your skin to a great extent.
12. Cocoa Beauty Treatment Mask
You Will Need
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons yogurt
- 2 vitamin E capsules
What You Have To Do
- Pierce the vitamin E capsules and extract the liquid.
- Mix all the ingredients and blend well.
- Apply the pack on your face and neck.
- Leave it on to dry and then wash off.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Cocoa powder is a powerhouse of minerals and antioxidants. And along with vitamin E, it prevents skin damage and repairs it. This face pack gives your skin a firmer appearance.
13. Chocolate Avocado Face Mask For Wrinkles
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- ÂĽ ripe and mashed avocado
- 2 teaspoons coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons olive or sesame oil
What You Have To Do
- Add cocoa powder and other ingredients to the mashed avocado.
- Mix well.
- Apply all over your face and neck.
- Let it dry and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Once a week.
Why This Works
The flavonoids in cocoa powder fight the harmful free radicals. Apart from that, the vitamins and fatty acids present in avocado, coconut milk, and olive/sesame oil guard your skin against moisture loss and make it soft.
14. Chocolate And Green Tea Face Mask
You Will Need
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 green tea bags
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
What You Have To Do
- Boil the green tea bag and extract the liquid. Allow it to cool.
- Add all the ingredients to the green tea extract and mix well.
- Apply the face pack and leave it to dry.
- Wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Once or twice a week.
Why This Works
Both green tea and cocoa powder contain antioxidants. This is an excellent anti-aging face mask that reduces signs of aging and gives you younger looking skin. Honey and yogurt also help in reducing dark spots.
15. Chocolate, Gram Flour, And Lemon Face Mask For Bright Skin
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon yogurt
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ lemon
What You Have To Do
- Add the gram flour, yogurt and cocoa powder to a bowl and squeeze half a lemon into it.
- Mix well and apply the face mask.
- Let it dry for about 30 minutes and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Gram flour and lemon cleanse your skin and reduce dark spots, giving you even skin tone. Yogurt helps in reducing age spots and wrinkles and brightens your skin.
Before you apply any of these chocolate face masks, you need to consider a few things:
Precautions to be Taken Before Applying Chocolate Masks
- Before applying a face pack, always cleanse your face and remove all traces of dirt and impurities.
- Never let the face pack dry completely. Remove it when it is semi-dry. In case the face pack has dried completely, dab some water and wait for a few minutes before removing it. If it is completely dry, you need to rub hard to remove it, which isn’t good for your skin.
- While removing the chocolate mask, always massage the skin in a circular motion.
- Be careful while applying face pack near the eye area. Never apply it too near to the eyes as the skin there is too delicate.
Your skin loves a bit of pampering. And what could be better for it than chocolate? Treat your skin with these yummy masks and packs and see it glow.
Keep following us as I will be back with more such beauty tips and tricks.
Recommended Articles:
- Why Should You Choose Cacao Over Cocoa?
- Anti-Aging Face Masks You Must Try At Home – Our Top 15
- 22 Amazing Benefits Of Dark Chocolate For Skin, Hair, And Health
- How To Use Mamaearth Coco Face Mask?
- 8 Amazing Benefits Of Yogurt Face Mask