Chocolate, the attribute of beauty

Beautiful skin starts with a varied and healthy diet that provides the body with all the nutrients it needs, good quality sleep that allows the body to regenerate successfully, and regular physical activity, which has an important impact on quality of life. If we are able to avoid smoking, excessive sunbathing, alcohol, caffeine and stress to a sufficient extent, and find a safe place for peace in our souls, then we are already part of a happy winner. A winner who is most likely also intuitively tuned in to his or her essence enough to know when it is time for the next round.

And it is this next round that offers many interesting experiences, where the sinister theories about the necessity of suffering for beauty collapse in on themselves. So, in a landscape otherwise used to the notorious vampiric method of rejuvenation, suddenly the vista opens up and the way to beauty that can be sweet and intoxicating, delicate and aromatic. True, but not miraculous. But if the journey is longer and more beautiful all the time, we can do no wrong on such a journey.

Chocolate indulgence

Having been conditioned from an early age to believe that chocolate causes acne, we probably don''t even think about the fact that chocolate can help us achieve a healthy and well-groomed complexion. That chocolate can nourish it more than many cosmetic products. Cocoa, known for its beneficial effects on blood circulation and a regular companion in natural cosmetics, is increasingly entering the cosmetic mainstream. Cocoa-based skincare products such as body lotions, butters, creams and scrubs are now widely available on the market, as are the wellness centres that invite you in with chocolate treatments and promises of indulgent pampering. Whether it''s a chocolate bath, a warm chocolate massage, a chocolate scrub or a chocolate sauna, cocoa, with its seductive aroma and soothing effect on the skin, is becoming an increasingly common choice for those who want effective relaxation for body and mind, those who crave nourished, velvety-soft skin.

For a special form of healthy luxury, a natural lifting and mild exfoliation in fact, you can make your own by adding three teaspoons of honey, the same amount of oatmeal or spelt porridge and two teaspoons of cream to six teaspoons of cocoa powder. The latter can be replaced by egg yolk. After mixing the ingredients well, a smooth paste is obtained and applied to the face in circular motions. After 20 minutes, wash it off with lukewarm water. Not only will your skin be moisturised and soft, but stress and tension will melt away as if they were made of chocolate themselves.

All the more so if, while the sweet mask covers our face, we indulge in a piece of real chocolate, enjoying it and listening to the beneficial effects it has on our mood, on our body. Chocolate, while not a diet ally, is known for its positive effect on well-being, reducing stress hormone levels and increasing the level of serotonin, the so-called happiness hormone, successfully stimulating the nervous system, which is thus better prepared for new mental ventures.

Dark chocolate, i.e. chocolate with at least 55% cocoa, does not contain much sugar, but it is rich in vitamins and minerals, flavonoids and antioxidants, which protect the skin against free radicals, which means, among other things, that it prevents premature ageing and the appearance of wrinkles. Chocolate is also rich in fatty acids, which tighten the skin. While the high cocoa content restores the skin''s lost radiance, improves skin texture and boosts blood circulation and cell renewal, the high cocoa butter content deeply nourishes and softens the skin. This is why this chocolate treatment is particularly recommended for dry and combination skin that lacks a healthy, fresh look, as it is the cocoa butter that restores radiance, softness and freshness to the skin.