8 Ways to Use Chocolate For Good Skin

If there’s any reason to eat chocolate, we’re listening with open ears. While chocolate does taste delicious, it actually has health benefits, meaning you can keep it as a staple in your diet — in moderation, of course.

Side note: we’re talking dark chocolate with a higher cacao content (ideally 70% or higher), not processed milk chocolate Hershey bars, so keep that in mind when reading all the miraculous things that happen when you indulge in the naturally rich and decadent food.

Both eating this magical dessert and applying it topically to your skin can drastically improve your complexion. Here’s all the benefits it imparts to your skin, as well as DIY ways you can integrate chocolate into your skincare routine at home for the ultimate facial.

How does chocolate benefit your skin?

It hydrates skin

Thanks to antioxidants, your skin is protected from harmful free radicals, which can cause blemishes. Cocoa itself is an antioxidant, and it’s also rich in flavonoid. Flavonoids are filled with vitamins A, B1, C, D and E, which keeps your face looking youthful.

It stops blemishes and irritation

Did you know that chocolate actually has anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically? Whether you choose to use chocolate infused lip balm or skincare products, it will have a gentle effect and sooth any irritation.

Chocolate is a natural moisturizer

Due to oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, your dry skin will become lusciously soft. Treat yourself to a lotion with chocolate’s magical ingredients — there’s a reason why cocoa butter is so nourishing, after all. You can make a homemade face mask out of dark chocolate, or invest in other chocolate based hydrating products.

It increases collagen

Cacao, which is the beginning materials of chocolate, contains extremely high levels of antioxidants, which in turn reduces wrinkles and increases production of collagen.  It protects skin from UV rays, which also maintains elasticity. Thanks to cocoa beans being high in magnesium, they stimulate your body’s ability to produce a hormone called progesterone, which stops breakouts.

Detoxifies skin and protects from UV damage

Don’t have time for a facial? Dark chocolate contains caffeine, which helps exfoliate off dead skin cells, sloughing away to reveal a fresh layer of baby-soft skin. It also slows the signs of aging and can help save you from skin cancer and sunburn, making it a useful, beneficial add-on to any diet. Studies show that chocolate consumption can bring “significant photoprotection” to eaters.